Faculty Awards

Recipients of each award are honored during the annual Faculty Awards celebration.

Culligan Award

The James Culligan Award, established in 1953 is presented annually to a member of the faculty in recognition of distinguished service inside the classroom and in the larger University community. Winners of the Culligan Award wear the medal with their academic regalia, as a sign of the University’s highest faculty honor.

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Jacqueline Van Hoomissen, Professor of Biology

Faculty Award for Outstanding Teaching

This award is presented annually by the University’s Committee on Teaching and Scholarship to a faculty member who is a particular exemplar of the University’s commitment to superb teaching. The requirements or the award are “commitment to students and their learning, the creation of instructional settings and their learning, the creation of instructional settings that engage students, a deep understanding of the subject and effective ways to teach it, critical and systematic thinking and practice of teaching, and wide respect for the teacher as expert and resource for other professors.”

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Ryan Kenton, Associate Professor of Biology

Faculty Award for Excellence in Service

This award established in 2017 is presented annually by the University’s Committee on Teaching and Scholarship to a faculty member who is an exemplar of the University’s commitment to service.

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Valerie Peterson, Professor of Mathematics

Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholarship

This award is presented annually by the University’s Committee on Teaching and Scholarship to a faculty member who presents unusually significant and meritorious achievement in professional scholarship, and whose work substantively enhances the effectiveness of his or her classroom teaching.

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Hannah Highlander, Professor of Mathematics

Deans’ Award for Faculty Leadership

This award is presented annually by the University’s Deans to a tenured faculty member who exemplifies, in an extraordinary way, the qualities of teaching and scholarship described in the University’s Academic Administration Manual for appointment, advancement in rank, and tenure. Over the course of his or her career at the University, this faculty member has also made significant contributions to the professional development of his or her colleagues and to the advancement of the University.

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Andrew Guest, Professor of Psychological Sciences and Director of the UP CORE Curriculum

Faculty Award for Excellent Undergraduate Academic Advising and Mentoring

This award established in 2016 recognizes a member of the full-time undergraduate faculty who excels in the mentoring of undergraduate students. 

The 2023 recipient is Dr. Steve Vegdahl, Associate Professor of Computer Science