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University of Kentucky honors Darshak Patel with 2026 Outstanding Teaching Award
Patel was recognized for his student-centered teaching, experiential learning initiatives and dedication to fostering critical thinking and academic success.
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Bhavana P - Wed, 29, Jul 2026
- 15:42 EDT
- 29
Darshak Patel is one of 10 recipients of UK’s 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards. / Carter Sloss | UK Photo
The University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics has named Indian-origin researcher and academic Darshak Patel a recipient of the University’s 2026 Outstanding Teaching Awards.
Patel, a senior lecturer of economics at the university was named one of 10 recipients of the awards, recognizing his commitment to student-centered learning and experiential education.
Patel said his goal is to help students understand how economic principles apply to real-world issues, from inflation and immigration policy to local investment decisions. He emphasized that economics is not simply about theories and models but a framework for making informed, evidence-based decisions.
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Commenting on the honor, Patel said, “receiving the Outstanding Teaching Award is both an incredible honor and a deeply humbling experience. Teaching has always been the most meaningful part of my academic career, and this recognition reflects the many students, colleagues and mentors who have influenced my journey.”
Patel also serves as the director of undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics. He is a recipient of the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching at the College of Business and Global Affairs in 2015 at University of Tennessee Martin, a two time recipient of A Teacher Who Made a Difference in 2015 and 2017, a recipient of Gatton College’s Award for Teaching Excellence and Faculty of the Year award in 2019 and UK Alumni Association 2020 Great Teacher Award.
Patel earned a Ph.D. and an M.S. in economics from the University of Kentucky, and an M.A. and a B.S. from the University of Texas at Arlington.
“The Outstanding Teaching Awards recognize the many ways teaching excellence impacts student learning and success across our disciplines and learning environments. The nominees, finalists and winners collectively demonstrate both the scholarly and deeply human work of teaching, which is fundamental to our mission to advance Kentucky,” said Trey Conatser, director of the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching (CELT).
The Outstanding Teaching Awards annually honor faculty and graduate teaching assistants who demonstrate excellence as instructors across all learning environments. Selected through a nomination process, candidates and finalists are reviewed by faculty-driven committees empaneled by the Office for Faculty Advancement and the CELT.
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