Patrick Martin, a professor in the art department, was recently named the 2017 Roe R. Cross Award Distinguished Professor.

“It was a surprise to win the award,” Martin said. “It’s a such a great, great honor and I feel very humbled by it.”

The Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professorship is awarded once a year, to a professor who demonstrates teaching excellence, service to the university in and outside of the classroom and serves as a mentor for students. The award is the highest honor that ESU can give to a faculty member, according to emporia.edu.

Martin has been a professor at ESU since 1999. He teaches three-dimensional design, glass forming and the occasional sculpture class.

He found out that he had been selected for the award last week, when he was surprised by four members of ESU administration while teaching his 3-dimensional design class.

“All of a sudden, I look up and there’s the president, the dean, the provost and my department chair,” Martin said. “It was a shock.”

In addition to the title and a plaque, Roe R. Cross awardees also receive a $1000 stipend. The amount is added to their base salary for the duration of their time at ESU, according the Office of the Provost.

Martin will also speak at the 2017 December commencement, as part of the Distinguished Professorship.

He attributed much of his success to his department, especially his colleagues.

“I try to work with the best so that I can be the best,” Martin said. “And I feel that I’m working with the best here.”

Martin will be honored at a reception and listed in the spring commencement.