David Van Buskirk, Lecturer in the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University, has been awarded the Dr. Robert Kruckeberg Faculty Excellence Award, presented by the University’s Faculty Senate.

The award honors the memory of Dr. Robert Kruckeberg, an Associate Professor of History who passed away in December 2020 at the age of 43 after a courageous battle with cancer. He had been a member of the TROY faculty since 2012.

The award is presented annually to an outstanding lecturer or adjunct faculty member who demonstrates excellence in the areas of teaching, research and service. It was first presented in 2008.

“David Van Buskirk accepted a position as a lecturer in the Sorrell College of Business and since that time he has been a tremendous asset to Troy University, TROY students and the Troy community,” said Faculty Senate President Jennings Byrd.

Van Buskirk received his bachelor’s degree in political science from TROY, and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Thomas Goode Jones School of Law.

Van Buskirk began his career with the Crosslin, Slaten, and O’Connor law firm in Montgomery, focusing on Insurance Defense and Mortgage Banking matters. In 2000, he joined the firm of Morris, Schneider, and Prior as a Managing Attorney for their Alabama Real Estate and Default Servicing operation. In 2005, he moved to Orlando to join the Walt Disney Company’s Real Estate & Timeshare Division overseeing global real estate and contract transactions.

Van Buskirk returned to TROY in 2015 as a Lecturer to teach business communication and law-related courses in the Sorrell College of Business. He has also had the opportunity to teach courses overseas in both Saigon and Hanoi, Vietnam, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and represented the Sorrell College of Business twice in China as part of the TROY’s 1-2-1 program with partnering institutions.

“I consider myself honored and fortunate to have won the Dr. Robert Kruckeberg Faculty Excellence Award,” Van Buskirk said. “To say I was surprised to win is an understatement considering the quality of Lecturers and Adjunct Faculty who instruct and serve at Troy University. It is nice to know that I am appreciated by my colleagues. While I know there are other people more deserving than myself, I am sincerely thankful to the Faculty Senate Selection Committee for this great honor.”