A professor who willingly shares his talents when students, faculty and staff need him is the 2025 Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor at Emporia State University.
John Decker, associate professor of graphic design and assistant art program director, learned of the honor while working with senior students to hang their show in the Gilson and Eppink galleries in King Hall.
“You are the spirit of what this award means to Emporia State University,” said Dr. R. Brent Thomas, ESU provost and vice president for academic affairs, who delivered the news with Dr. David Sharlow, dean of the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
“Whenever you are needed by your students or needed by the university,” Thomas continued, “every single time, you step up.”
The Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professor Award has been given since 1979 to the ESU professor who best demonstrates teaching excellence, professional activities, fostering of intellectual atmosphere, service to the university outside the classroom and status as a student mentor. The award includes $1,000 to be used for professional activities.
Decker came to Emporia State in 1985 as a college freshman. He earned a bachelor of fine art degree in printmaking and commercial art in 1990 followed by a master of science in instructional design and technology in 2010.
All this knowledge and experience was evident and highly valued when faculty needed to pivot during the Covid pandemic, shortly after he returned to the ESU art program in 2019.
“In March of 2020, many faculty in art were not accustomed to using Canvas, video or Zoom,” wrote James Ehlers, former interim dean of the school. “Professor Decker’s background in instructional design and his deep understanding of technology resources were vital to faculty in the art program. He worked as a patient and focused resource for this information with an overwhelmed faculty and stayed focused on working with students to help them through this time.”
Decker’s first full-time role with ESU came after graduation in 1990 when he became a graphic designer in the university’s marketing department while also establishing his own freelance design business. He began teaching as an instructor in digital imaging in 2004. In 2012, Decker moved to Flint Hills Technical College where he taught interactive multimedia design until 2018.
During the 2023-24 academic year, Decker added motion graphic classes to his teaching load.
“We were looking to hire a motion graphics professor … and did not have any luck finding qualified candidates,” recounted Derek Wilkinson, professor in the art program.
Wilkinson also noted that Decker has the experience to also teach all levels of printmaking, engraving arts, drawing, two-dimensional design and lower-level ceramics classes if needed.
Decker’s involvement in the Emporia community is also an important asset, according to both Sharlow and Dr. Katherine A.P. Iselin, an art historian who is interim director of ESU’s art program and assistant professor of art.
“He sits on several local boards, including for Emporia First Friday and the Emporia High School Digital Media Advisory Committee,” Iselin said. “These all show a commitment to the ESU and Emporia communities. John is always working to better the world around him.”
Added Sharlow: “I see John as the go-to person when it comes to institutional knowledge, level-headedness and perspective,” he said. “His advice helped me to traverse my way through how the SVPA should handle our Faculty Senate nomination process in addition to helping me acclimate to the Emporia art scene as it relates to its history, traditions and resources.”