Daniel Credeur, associate teaching professor in the Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences (FNES), was surprised with CAFNR’s Golden Apple Award Tuesday, Nov. 18, in a ceremony led by Bryan Garton, senior associate dean and director of academic programs; DJ Ryu, division director of FNES and Credeur’s nominator; and many colleagues.
Credeur was teaching NEP (Nutrition and Exercise Physiology) 1340: Intro to Exercise and Fitness at the time of the surprise ceremony. Students were learning how to spot physical activity misinformation.
To be eligible for the Golden Apple Award, professors must exhibit clarity, variability and enthusiasm in their instruction. Faculty must be accessible to students, helpful, personable and act as a mentor. They should provide multiple opportunities to learn and clearly establish objectives and expectations.
Ryu shared that Credeur is exceptionally organized, innovative and student-centered.
“Dr. Credeur’s teaching is defined by strong structure and transparency. Each course features detailed syllabi, sequenced assignments and consistent feedback mechanisms that support student success in both large and small sections,” Ryu said. “In 2024, he refined his course design and communication processes to improve responsiveness and grading efficiency across high-enrollment classes, ensuring that all students – often exceeding a thousand per year – receive timely, individualized guidance. Students frequently highlight his clear expectations, logical pacing and reliable organization as keys to their learning and confidence.”
Credeur joined Mizzou in 2021, and has had teaching assignments ranging from large online lectures to smaller advanced seminars. His redesigned class, NEP 4870: Exercise for Special Populations, has received exceptional evaluations; students consistently describe his teaching as clear, relevant and motivating. His courses are frequently described as “transformative” and among the “most engaging” of students’ college experiences.
He employs a variety of teaching strategies to aid engagement and comprehension, including integrating case studies, peer problem solving and active demonstrations.
“Dr. Credeur maintains open communication with students, offers thoughtful academic and career guidance, and supports their success beyond the classroom,” Ryu said. “His calm professionalism and genuine care make him approachable to students from every background, while his mentoring of graduate assistants and faculty colleagues continues to strengthen our teaching community.”
In addition to his teaching load, Credeur leads the MU-FITT initiative, which embeds peer mentoring, applied laboratory training and interdisciplinary collaboration directly into the FNES curriculum. Finally, he is a Provost Fellow for Generative AI, helping faculty and students use emerging technologies responsibly and effectively in teaching and research.
“His courses reflect the University’s highest standards of teaching excellence and professional integrity,” Ryu said. “He has elevated the quality of teaching within FNES and the University of Missouri as a whole.”
