HIGH POINT, N.C., May 10, 2016 – Dr. Dan Tarara, assistant professor of exercise science at High Point University, received the Meredith Clark Slane Distinguished Teaching-Service Award during the 2016 Commencement ceremony. The award is named for Meredith Clark Slane, a friend to the university, and has been given annually since 1973 to recognize excellence in teaching.
As an assistant professor in the Congdon School of Health Sciences, Tarara teaches a variety of courses, mostly in the area of exercise physiology. He has long exemplified HPU’s growth mindset by asking his students to take responsibility of their own learning by analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating their work.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized – very humbling,” Tarara says. “I’m lucky to have the opportunity to work with such brilliant colleagues. I love being a part of a greater community vested in shaping the hearts and minds of students, not just for success, but for lives of significance.”
For several years, he and his wife, School of Education instructor Rosie Tarara, have led HPU’s United Way Campaign as faculty campaign coordinators. The Tararas have encouraged others to donate through sharing their passion for the needs of the local community.
HPU provost Dr. Dennis Carroll, who presented the award, says Tarara represents the best among faculty in teaching and service.
“Dan Tarara is an ideal faculty member. He is an amazing teacher, a competent scholar and an outstanding citizen of our community,” Carroll says. “Dan genuinely commands the respect of students, faculty, staff and the city of High Point. We are honored that he is a member of the High Point University family.”
Tarara came to HPU in 1995 with degrees from Springfield College and Purdue University. He subsequently earned his doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.