October 29, 2009
Help recognize excellence: Nominations now open for a host of annual awards
Every day you work alongside people who are fabulous at what they do. Some are faculty members, some are graduate students and some are staff members. They aren’t here just for the money — they take pride in doing a good job, day in and day out, and once a year the University honors some of them with awards.
Here’s your chance to help choose the people who win those awards. Below is a brief description of each award and instructions on how to submit a nomination. Throw your favorite person’s hat in the ring.
The Distinguished Teaching Award, given once during the individual’s lifetime, honors several professors based on a number of criteria including, but not limited to, the ability to engage students both within and outside the classroom; innovative course and curriculum design; ability to rouse independent and original thinking in students and mastery of the subject matter.
The Excellence in Teaching Award is given to two graduate teaching assistants for their demonstration of extraordinary ability in the teaching and learning process as a graduate TA. Recipients of both the Distinguished Teaching and Excellence in Teaching awards will receive a $5,000 award.
The S. Sterling Munro Public Service Teaching Award, thanks to a gift from the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, is given annually to a faculty member who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in community-based instruction, including public service internships and community partnership projects. The faculty member recognized will receive a $5,000 award.
The James D. Clowes for the Advancement of Learning Communities, due to a decrease in funding for this award, will not be given this year.
To nominate a faculty member or graduate teaching assistant for any of the awards above, submit an online nomination online here. Hard copy letters are also accepted and can be sent to: 2010 Teaching Awards Selection Committee, Box 352800. Letters must be postmarked prior to the deadline and specify the name of the award, along with your name, address (postal or campus) and/or e-mail address. The deadline for all nominations is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.
UW Bothell and UW Tacoma teaching awards are administered separately. To nominate a UWB faculty member, submit a one-page letter to the Office of Academic Affairs, c/o DTA, Box 358522, or by e-mail to Dinah Aldrich, daldrich@uwb.edu. More information can be found online here. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.
Nominations for the UW Tacoma Distinguished Teaching Award are being accepted online beginning Monday, Nov. 2. Please visit the Web page for more information on the process. The deadline for submitting a nomination is 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.
The Distinguished Staff Award is given to five individuals or teams who have made extraordinary contributions to their departments and the University. Individual recipients receive a stipend of $5,000. Recipients of a team award receive $5,000 to share. To nominate someone for this award, complete an online nomination form at the Distinguished Staff Award Web site. The selection will be made by a committee of staff appointed by the vice president for Human Resources. Complete criteria for the award are listed on the site. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15.
The David B. Thorud Leadership Award, due to a decrease in the endowment supporting this award, will not be given in 2010.
The Distinguished Librarian Award recognizes excellence in librarianship, especially as it benefits the academic community through innovative approaches to practice, research, teaching and learning. Additional factors include creativity, leadership, service, scholarship and demonstration of UW values. The awardee receives $5,000. To nominate someone for this award, send your contact information, the nominee’s contact information and a short essay (no more than 500 words) describing the nominee’s accomplishments and how he or she contributes to the libraries and to the University to Kate Whitson, Box 358550 or e-mail kwhitson@uwb.edu. More information is available online here. The deadline is Tuesday, Dec. 15.
The Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award, which is sponsored by The Graduate School, recognizes a faculty member who has made outstanding contributions to the education and guidance of graduate students. The awardee receives $5,000. To nominate someone, send a letter of up to two pages to Jerry Pangilinan, Box 353770, or jlpang@u.washington.edu. The letter should include the nominee’s department and current mailing address. Nominators are encouraged to cite specific instances of excellent mentoring. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4.
The Outstanding Public Service Award recognizes faculty or staff efforts to improve the quality of people’s lives locally, nationally or internationally. The selection committee considers the nature and extent of the public service activity, the amount of time and effort involved, and the lasting impact it has had. The honoree receives $5,000. To nominate someone for the award send a letter of no more than two pages including a description of the nature, extent and impact of the service, how long it lasted and whether the nominee received any compensation for it. Nominations should be sent to the Outstanding Public Service Award Committee, Box 351241, or by e-mail to Gus Kravas, gkravas@u.washington.edu. The deadline is Friday, Jan. 22, 2010.
The Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning Award honors faculty who have taught or designed courses, seminars or workshops aimed at working adults and other nontraditional students, and who have received excellent teaching evaluations for that work. The winner receives $5,000. To nominate someone for this reward, send a cover letter that describes the number of students served, the length of time the faculty member has participated in lifelong learning activities, and the creativity and innovative nature of these lifelong learning programs. Attach a list of the courses taught and student evaluations in a form that can be compared to a standard UW evaluation form. Nominations should be sent to Dave Szatmary, Box 359492. Or e-mail the material to dszatmary@extn.washington.edu. The deadline is Monday, Feb. 15, 2010.
Even as the current UW faculty and staff who deserve honors are being sought, the Alumni Association is looking for former students for its annual Alumnus Summa Laude Dignatus Award. Established in 1938, the award recognizes graduates who have made profound contributions not only to their fields, but to society as a whole. It is not based on the individual’s work for the preceding year, but rather on his or her lifetime record. It is the highest honor the UW bestows upon its graduates. To nominate someone for this award, submit a letter of recommendation and supporting materials to Courtney Acitelli, UW Alumni Association, Box 359508 by Friday, Jan. 15, 2010. A committee made up of six representatives of the Alumni Association and six from the UW will make the selection.
President Mark Emmert will announce the award winners in late March. They will be honored at the annual Recognition Ceremony, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10, in Meany Hall. A reception will follow in the foyer.
