Dr. James L. Flatt named DSCC Professor Emeritus. A lifelong passion for teaching and a love of biology translated into a 35-year career at Dyersburg State Community College for Dr. James L Flatt of Newbern. During this time, Flatt estimates that more than 10,000 students have attended his classes. Because of his dedication to education, Flatt was named DSCC Professor Emeritus on August 24, 2009. The presentation was made at the College's annual Fall Update in front of more than 120 faculty and staff members. Flatt has retired from his full-time position as Professor of Biology, but will continue to teach until 2011 through a post-retirement contract. Flatt, cited by many area health professionals as "the best instructor in their college and university work," began his career at DSCC on September 1, 1973 as an Assistant Professor of Biology. He was granted tenure at the College in June of 1979 and promoted to Associate Professor in June of 1980. In June of 1984, he was named Professor of Biology. Later that same year, he served as Interim Chair of Arts and Sciences. In 1993, Flatt was received the Outstanding Faculty award. While at DSCC, Flat has served on Campus Development, Faculty Assembly, Earth Day, Library, and Outstanding Faculty Selection committees. He has judged regional science competitions as well as Spanish Feria events. Flatt's teaching career began at Dyersburg High School where he was a member of the faculty from 1958 to 1963. He then taught at Blue Mountain College (BMC) in Blue Mountain, Mississippi from 1974 to 1973. While there, he was an Associate Professor and served as chairman of the Science and Mathematics department. During his tenure at DSCC, he continued to teach part-time at BMC. In 1976, he took leave from DSCC to teach general biology and genetics at the JFK School in Berlin, Germany. A resident of Newbern, Flatt graduated from Trimble High School. He received his Bachelor of Science from Bethel College, his Master of Arts from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, and his Educational Specialist degree from the University of Georgia. He earned his Doctorate in Science Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Flatt and his wife Wylia Jo reside in Newbern and have two daughters, Gina and Jana. In the history of the college, only three other professors have been named Professor Emeritus-- Dr. Helen Bell, Dr. H Blair Bently, and Dr. Richard Worley.