Michael King (left) holds his Distinguished Educator of the Year award, joined by Benedictine College President Stephen Minnis (right)/Submitted photo
(KAIR)--Benedictine College has named Michael King as its 2026 Distinguished Educator of the Year.
According to a release from the Atchison-based college, King, an associate professor and chair of the college’s School of Business, received the honor during the annual Academic Honors Convocation on April 29. The college says the award is the highest faculty honor Benedictine presents and has been awarded for more than 30 years, with nominations submitted by students, faculty, and staff.
The college says King was recognized for qualities that include creativity and effectiveness as an educator, strong rapport with students, and a willingness to go beyond the classroom to help students succeed. Benedictine also notes King has helped grow the School of Business to more than 500 undergraduate students and incorporates a Catholic mindset into his teaching.
Benedictine says King is a 1983 graduate of the college and later earned his law degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, along with graduate degrees from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and Fort Hays State University. The release notes his professional background includes work in business ventures and investment banking, service on the professional staff of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, and time as president of the College of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More in Fort Worth, Texas.
