SUSIE LEMONT/Arizona Daily Wildcat Richard Cosgrove, a history professor at the UA who is retiring this year, points to Cosgrove, England on a map in his office.

When Richard Cosgrove received the Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence this year, he was honored for his dedication to students. But the award is even more extraordinary for the retiring history department head, as he has served the students and UA community for the past 36 years.

"It's a very nice way to leave. Its always nice to get recognition," said Cosgrove, who has been called "humble" and "hardworking" by his colleagues.

Patricia MacCorquodale, dean of the Honors College, said Cosgrove will be missed, not only as a teacher, but also as a member of the UA community.

"He's an amazing faculty member," she said.

MacCorquodale also said Cosgrove has always been generous with his time. Between teaching, managing a department and volunteering as the pre-law advisor for the Honors College, Cosgrove has still found time to connect with his students.

"There's a tremendous amount of teaching that goes on outside the classroom," he said.

Through advising and connecting with his students, Cosgrove found his love for teaching from relationships he established. It was through these connections that Cosgrove discovered his desire to give back to UA.

"I still have lots of friends who were students. You feel very pleased that you've had some part to play in how that person developed," he said.

According to MacCorquodale, Cosgrove can look up names in old grade books and tell where those students are now and what they're doing with their lives.

"His ability to have that deep of a level of connection with students is absolutely amazing," MacCorquodale said.

Cosgrove's commitment and dedication to UA speaks for itself. Before he received the Provost's Award for Teaching Excellence this year, Cosgrove was at the helm of the history department when it was honored with the same award in 2000.

Additionally, Cosgrove was honored with UA's Distinguished Professor Award in 1997.

"He's been a superb head of an excellent, excellent history department," said Edward Donnerstein, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. "(The award) really typifies the excellence in his entire career," he said.

Donnerstein said the award speaks highly of Cosgrove because he was recognized for his outstanding teaching while managing a department.

However, Cosgrove said he has found time to do both.

"It hasn't been a conflict. I have the time to devote to teaching and advising, and I do have the time to keep the department running."

And his dedication to teaching shows, said students like Hannah Lyons, who enjoyed Cosgrove's Individual and Societies 103 class, "Europe in the Modern World."

"His interest in history made the students interested in history as well," she said.

Donnerstein also said Cosgrove's dedication to his students has been apparent, as he always strived to make students his number one concern.

"He's set a really high standard for excellence in undergraduate teaching," Donnerstein said.

Business sophomore Renee Valenzuela said Cosgrove always teaches with vigor.

"He was real passionate about what he was talking about," she said.

Cosgrove has also served students in the past as the campus coordinator for national and international scholarships, such as the Rhodes and Fulbright.

The award that Cosgrove won last month is intended to honor individuals who have made substantial contributions to undergraduate education at UA. The award entitled Cosgrove to $2,500.

Cosgrove has had many titles in his life, and after this semester, he will have a new one ÷ retired.

"I think he's been an exceptional citizen at the university," MacCorquodale said.

"We will truly miss him," Donnerstein said.

÷ Rebekah Kleinman contributed to this report