UM Alumnus Named Tennessee Professor of the Year

Belmont University professor Mike Pinter honored for teaching excellence

OXFORD, Miss. — A University of Mississippi alumnus has been recognized by the state of Tennessee for his leadership and continued excellence in teaching.

Mike Pinter (M.Ed. 83), professor of mathematics at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., was named 2012 Tennessee Professor of the Year, awarded annually by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

“I was a bit stunned,” said Pinter. “I never thought I’d win the award because I assumed there would be many highly qualified nominees.”

Pinter, a native of Morrilton, Ark., received his undergraduate degree from Hendrix College. In addition to his degree from UM, he holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in mathematics from Vanderbilt University. His wife, Robbie Clifton Pinter, an Ole Miss English graduate school alumna (MA 83), is also a faculty member at Belmont University.  Their son, Nicholas, is a recent graduate of Benton Hall Academy in Franklin, Tenn.

Pinter has been at Belmont since 1989. He has served as associate dean of the School of Sciences and worked as a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. Pinter has also served as director of the Teaching Center and will resume that post in January.

“The many kind notes of congratulations I’m receiving from current students, former students and faculty colleagues are actually more meaningful than the award itself,” said Pinter. “The relationships I’ve been able to build with colleagues, students, staff and administrators are what shine the brightest for me in receiving the award.”