Awards
Call for Nominations for Faculty Awards
Nominations: Deadline March 3, 2024
In cooperation with the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor, the Faculty Senate President is asking for nominations for five major faculty awards. A brief description of each is included below.
Faculty, please consider yourself or your colleagues for nomination. All 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 nominations remain active and updates are requested. Students making nominations may, if they like, seek the assistance of the President of the Faculty Senate.
Many of you are familiar with these awards and the fact that each distinction includes an award of $2,000.
In cooperation with the Provost, the Faculty Senate President invites nominations of University of Denver faculty for the following five major faculty awards:
- Distinguished Scholar Award
- This award recognizes unusually significant and meritorious achievement in professional scholarship, as evidenced by publications and their enhancing effect on classroom teaching.
- Distinguished Teaching Award
- This award recognizes excellence in teaching. The nomination should emphasize the degree to which a person’s teaching has constructively influenced his/her students. The nominee must have completed three or more years of teaching at the University of Denver.
- Faculty Service Award
- This award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding service to the University, the community, or the profession.
- University Lecturer
- This award recognizes superlative creative and scholarly work. The lecturer is chosen without regard for time spent at the University or popularity as an individual or as a teacher. The award is announced at the Fall Convocation and presented at the University Lecture in the spring.
- Ruth Murray Underhill Teaching Award
- This award recognizes excellence in teaching by an adjunct faculty member, here defined as a teacher whose primary employer is not the University of Denver. It is named after Ruth Murray Underhill, who served as an instructor at the University from 1948-1952 and as an adjunct faculty member into the 1970s. Nominees should have taught at least one course per year for the University for each of the three years prior to nomination. Courses must have been taught in a degree-granting program but need not have been taught in a single department or unit.
Please consider nominating your colleagues or yourself for any of the awards.Nominations from deans, directors, and department chairs are particularly appreciated considering those individuals have access to annual review, reappointment, promotion, and tenure materials that could help identify outstanding performance by faculty members. Nominations from the prior two academic years will automatically remain in consideration without any additional action required.
The Awards Subcommittee of the Faculty Senate Personnel Committee makes recommendations to the Provost, the Chancellor, and the Board of Trustees, who make the final selections. The committee recommendations are taken very seriously.
We have a NEW Nomination Process this year:
To open a Faculty Awards Submission, please email Allee Burke at institutionalresearch@du.edu and provide the name of the nominee. Once the process is open, you will receive an email from Watermark and will see the process in your Workflow inbox.
For each nomination, please submit using this Watermark interface the following materials:
- 1. A nomination letter that summarizes the nominee’s scholarship, teaching, and/or service accomplishments, as relevant to the award sought;
- 2. A current curriculum vitae for the nominee;
- 3. No more than five (5) letters of support (e.g., from colleagues, students, alumni, or others who might share valuable insights.
The Faculty Awards Subcommittee of the Faculty Senate Personnel Committee will make a recommendation to the Provost based solely on the materials requested above.
Additional materials will not be considered. You may nominate the same person for multiple awards, but you must submit separate nomination letters and supporting materials for each award.
When you are finished uploading your nomination materials, select “Actions” in the top right hand corner and select “Submit to Committee Chair” for the Faculty Awards Subcommittee chair to compile your submission for review. The nominee will not receive any notification regarding the nomination.
If you have any questions please contact Allee Burke at Institutionalresearch@du.edu.
Please note that the deadline for nominations is March 3, 2024. Submissions are final and cannot be amended or supplemented once submitted.
Distinguished University Professor
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Past Recipients
- 1990-1991: Marshall Haith, Psychology; David Murray, Physics & Astronomy
- 1991-1992: Ved Nanda, Law
- 1992-1993: Thomas Drabek, Sociology; Susan Harter, Psychology
- 1993-1994: J. Donald Hughes, History; Steve Carpenter, Physics & Astronomy
- 1994-1995: Frank E. X. Dance, Human Communications
- 1995-1996: Sarah M. Nelson, Anthropology
- 1996-1997: Sandra S. Eaton, Chemistry & Biochemistry; Gareth R. Eaton, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 1997-1998: Aaron Goldman, Physics & Astronomy; Bruce Pennington, Psychology
- 1998-1999: Not Awarded
- 1999-2000: Donald H. Stedman, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2000-2001: Alan Gilbert, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2001-2002: James C. Wilson, Engineering
- 2002-2003: Stanley Gudder, Mathematics
- 2003-2004: Ricardo F. Iznaola, Music
- 2004-2005: Wyndol Furman, Psychology
- 2005-2006: Maciej Kumosa, Engineering
- 2006-2007: Bin Ramke, English
- 2007-2008: Barry Hughes, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2008-2009: Andrei Kutateladze, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2009-2010: Jack Donnelly, The Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2010-2011: Mario Lopez, Mathematics & Computer Science
- 2011-2012: Howard Markman, Psychology
- 2012-2013: Kimon Valavanis, Electrical & Computer Engineering
- 2013-2014: Haider Khan, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2014-2015: Martin Rhodes, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2015-2016: Not Awarded
- 2016-2017: Not Awarded
- 2017-2018: Doug Clements, Morgridge College of Education; Julie Sarama, Morgridge College of Education
- 2018-2019: Ilene Grabel, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2019-2020: Anne DePrince, Psychology
- 2020-2021: Deborah Avant, Josef Korbel School of International Studies; Lynn Schofield Clark, Media, Film and Journalism Studies
The basis for selection as a Distinguished University Professor shall be the attainment of national and, typically, international distinction for outstanding research, scholarly or artistic achievement that has significantly benefited their field.
For Distinguished University Professor Award
United Methodist Church – University Scholar/Teacher of the Year Award
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Past Recipients
- 1981-1982: Herb Greenberg, Math
- 1982-1983: Wilbert Moore, Sociology
- 1983-1984: James E. Sorensen, Accountancy
- 1984-1985: Barry Hughes, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 1985-1986: Joseph Campos, Psychology
- 1986-1987: Will Gravely, Religious Studies
- 1987-1988: Tricia S. Jones, Speech Communications
- 1988-1989: Alexandra Olsen, English
- 1989-1990: George W. Shepherd, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 1990-1991: Robert P. McGowan, Management
- 1991-1992: James P. Gilroy, Languages & Literatures
- 1992-1993: Janette B. Benson, Psychology
- 1993-1994: Bernard Spilka, Psychology
- 1994-1995: Frederick Greenspahn, Judaic Studies
- 1995-1996: Sandra S. Eaton, Chemistry & Biochemistry; Richard Clemmer-Smith, Anthropology
- 1996-1997: Kathy E. Green, Education
- 1997-1998: Dean Saitta, Anthropology
- 1998-1999: Julie Nice, Law
- 1999-2000: Barbara J. Wilcots, English; Oscar Somoza, Languages & Literatures
- 2000-2001: Tracy B. Ehlers, Anthropology
- 2001-2002: Andrew E. Busch, Political Science
- 2002-2003: Eleanor McNees, English
- 2003-2004: Jeffrey B. Rutenbeck, Mass Communications & Journalism Studies
- 2004-2005: Peter Adler, Sociology & Criminology
- 2005-2006: Ilene Grabel, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2006-2007: Cindy McRae, College of Education; Margaret Whitt, English
- 2007-2008: Daniel McIntosh, Psychology
- 2008-2009: John Kinnamon, Biological Sciences
- 2009-2010: Anne DePrince, Psychology
- 2010-2011: Bonnie Clark, Anthropology
- 2011-2012: Corinne Lengsfeld, Mechanical & Materials Engineering
- 2012-2013: Michael Kinyon, Mathematics
- 2013-2014: Lavita Nadkarni, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
- 2014-2015: Pallab Paul, Daniels College of Business
- 2015-2016: Linda Wang, Lamont School of Music
- 2016-2017: Gloria Miller, Morgridge College of Education
- 2017-2018: Not Awarded
This award recognizes an outstanding faculty member for contributions to scholarship and teaching at the University of Denver. Faculty are honored for exceptional teaching, concern for students, and commitment to high standards in professional and personal life.
This award is no longer bestowed. The final award was conferred in 2016-2017.
Distinguished Scholar Award – Burlington Northern Foundation Faculty Achievement Award
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Past Recipients
(S = Scholar, T = Teacher, F = Faculty)
- 1984-1985: J. Donald Hughes (S), History and Robert C. Schultz (T), Philosophy
- 1985-1986: Joseph S. Szyliowicz (S), Josef Korbel School of International Studies; James A. LaVita (T) Math & Computer Science
- 1986-1987: Paul Dempsey (S), Law and Charlotte "Barney" Sanborn (T), Sports Sciences / Physical Education
- 1987-1988: Aaron Goldman (S), Physics & Astronomy (S); James E. Platt (T), Biological Sciences; Sarah M. Nelson (S), Anthropology; Paul Colomy (T), Sociology
- 1988-1989: Ved P. Nanda (S), Law
- 1989-1990: Gregory A. Robbins (T), Religious Studies
- 1990-1991: Donald G. Sullivan (F), Geography
- 1991-1992: Robert M. Dores (F), Biological Sciences
Distinguished Scholar Award
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Past Recipients
- 1990-1991: Joyce Goodfriend, History
- 1991-1992: Not Awarded
- 1992-1993: Hugh D. Grove, Accountancy
- 1993-1994: J.C. (Chuck) Wilson, Engineering
- 1994-1995: E. Spencer Wellhofer, Political Science
- 1995-1996: Peter Golas, History
- 1996-1997: R. (Buck) Sanford, Biological Sciences
- 1997-1998: Jack Donnelly, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 1998-1999: David Barnes, Law
- 1999-2000: Wyndol Furman, Psychology
- 2000-2001: Robert Granfield, Sociology
- 2001-2002: Lawrence N. Argent, Art & Art History
- 2002-2003: Jeffrey Jenson, Graduate School of Social Work
- 2003-2004: Andrei G. Kutateladze, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2003-2004: Susan Sterett, Political Science
- 2004-2005: Jack Donnelly, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2005-2006: Jan Keenan, Psychology
- 2006-2007: Howard Markman, Psychology
- 2007-2008: Micheline Ishay, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2008-2009: Stephen Shirk, Psychology
- 2009-2010: Suisheng (Sam) Zhao, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2010-2011: Doug Hesse, English
- 2011-2012: Paul Rullkoetter, Mechanical & Materials Engineering
- 2012-2013: Donald Bacon, Daniels College of Business
- 2013-2014: Christina Kreps, Anthropology
- 2014-2015: Kimberly Bender, Graduate School of Social Work
- 2015-2016: Seth Masket, Political Science
- 2016-2017: Nancy Leong, Sturm College of Law
- 2017-2018: Amin Khodaei, Electrical & Computer Engineering
- 2018-2019: Jennifer Bellamy, Graduate School of Social Work
- 2019-2020: Anna Sher, Biological Sciences
- 2020-2021: Lawrence Golan, Lamont School of Music
This award is to recognize unusually significant and meritorious achievement in professional scholarship, as evidenced by publications and their enhancing effect on classroom teaching.
Distinguished Teaching Award
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Past Recipients
- 1968-1969: Edith Davis, Graduate School of Social Work; Thomas Drabek, Sociology; Wayne Shroyer, Accountancy
- 1969-1970: George E. Bradwell, Math; Laurance C. Herold, Geography
- 1970-1971: Stuart James, English
- 1971-1972: Allen duPont Breck, History
- 1972-1973: William S. Huff, Law
- 1973-1974: Wilbur H. Parks, MS & EE
- 1974-1975: Elizabeth Tuttle, Physics
- 1975-1976: Gerald W. Chapman, English
- 1976-1977: David Anderson, Foreign Languages
- 1977-1978: Ron Gist, Business
- 1978-1979: Luis P. Fonseca, Foreign Languages
- 1979-1980: Dennis Barrett, Biological Sciences
- 1980-1981: Jay Trowill, Psychology
- 1981-1982, Terrence Toy: Geography
- 1982-1983, Joel S. Cohen: Math
- 1983-1984, Herschel Neumann, Physics
- 1984-1985: Ronald J. Rizzuto, Finance
- 1985-1986: Jere P. Surber, Philosophy
- 1986-1987: Anne R. Mahoney, Sociology
- 1987-1988: John C. Livingston, History
- 1988-1989: David Longbrake, Geography
- 1989-1990: John D. Bazely, Accountancy
- 1990-1991: M.E. Warlick, Art
- 1991-1992: Cynthia V. Fukami, Management; Margaret E. Whitt, English
- 1992-1993, Richard N. Ball: Math & Computer Science
- 1993-1994: Diane Benoit, Art & Art History
- 1994-1995: Jan Laitos, Law
- 1995-1996: Alvin Goldberg, Human Communications
- 1996-1997: William Dorn, Math & Computer Science
- 1997-1998: Roberta Waldbaum, Languages & Literatures
- 1998-1999: Robert Davine, Music
- 1999-2000: Cathy Grieve, Mass Communications
- 2000-2001: Maria T. Riva, Education
- 2001-2002: Susan L. Stakel, Languages & Literatures
- 2002-2003: Buie Seawell, Business Ethics
- 2003-2004: P. Bruce Uhrmacher, Education
- 2004-2005: Joseph Hornback, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2005-2006: Roberto Corrada, Law; Jean East, Graduate School of Social Work
- 2006-2007: Scott Leutenegger, Computer Science
- 2007-2008: Susan Sadler, Biological Sciences
- 2008-2009: Shelley Smith-Acuna, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
- 2009-2010: Larry Conyers, Anthropology; Roddy MacInnes, Art & Art History
- 2010-2011: Keith Miller, Chemistry & Biochemistry
- 2011-2012: David Thomson, Sturm College of Law
- 2012-2013: Artur Poczwardowski, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
- 2013-2014: Phoenix Cai, Sturm College of Law
- 2014-2015: Paul Michalec, Morgridge College of Education
- 2015-2016: Laura Rovner, Sturm College of Law
- 2016-2017: Ramona Beltran, Graduate School of Social Work
- 2017-2018: Kathy Green, Morgridge College of Education
- 2018-2019: Debra Austin, Sturm College of Law
- 2019-2020: Steven Iona, Physics and Astronomy
- 2020-2021: Lauren Picard, Writing Program
This award recognizes excellence in teaching. The nomination should emphasize the degree to which a person’s teaching has constructively influenced his/her students. The nominee must have completed three or more years of teaching at the University of Denver. It is presented at the Fall Convocation.
University Lecturer
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Past Recipients
- 1954-1955: Fred E. D. Amour, Zoology
- 1955-1956: Levette J. Davidson, English
- 1956-1957: Vance Kirkland, Art
- 1957-1958: Josef Korbel, International Relations
- 1958-1959: Fitzhugh Carmichael, Statistics
- 1959-1960: Elwood Murray, Speech
- 1960-1961: R. Russell Porter, Theatre
- 1961-1962: Essie White Cohn, Chemistry
- 1962-1963: Thompson Marsh, Law
- 1963-1964: W. Campton Bell, Theatre
- 1964-1965: Harry Seligson, Administration
- 1965-1966: John E. Williams, English
- 1966-1967: Robert L. Chasson, Physics
- 1967-1968: Harold Mendelsohn, Mass Communications
- 1968-1969: Wolfgang Yourgrau, Philosophy
- 1969-1970: Herbert J. Greenberg, Math
- 1970-1971: Gresham Sykes, Law
- 1971-1972: Gerald W. Chapman, English
- 1972-1973: Juan G. Roederer, Physics
- 1973-1974: Wilbert Moore, Sociology
- 1974-1975: John B. Newkirk, Chemistry
- 1975-1976: George Barany, History
- 1976-1977: Gunnar Boklund, English
- 1977-1978: David G. Murcray, Physics
- 1978-1979: David Bayley, International Relations
- 1979-1980: John Horn, Psychology
- 1980-1981: Seymour Epstein, Social Sciences, English
- 1981-1982: Ved Nanda, Law
- 1982-1983: Norman Bleistein, Math
- 1983-1984: Not Awarded
- 1984-1985: Marshall Haith, Psychology
- 1985-1986: Frank E. X. Dance, Speech Communications
- 1986-1987: Steve H. Carpenter, Physics
- 1987-1988: Gareth R. Eaton, Chemistry
- 1988-1989: Stanley P. Gudder, Math & Computer Science
- 1989-1990: Susan Harter, Psychology
- 1990-1991: Karen S. Kitchener, Education
- 1991-1992: Lawrence P. Tiffany, Law
- 1992-1993: Toni W. Linder, Education
- 1993-1994: Donald H. Stedman, Chemistry
- 1994-1995: Paul Predecki, Engineering
- 1995-1996: Bruce Pennington, Psychology
- 1996-1997: Peter Adler, Sociology
- 1997-1998: Alan Gilbert, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 1998-1999: Ricardo Iznaola, Music
- 1999-2000: Bin Ramke, English
- 2000-2001: James R. Davis, Education
- 2001-2002: Alton B. Barbour, Human Communications
- 2002-2003: David Levine, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2003-2004: Not Awarded
- 2004-2005: Barry Hughes, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2005-2006: Sandra Eaton, Chemistry and Biochemistry
- 2006-2007: Jeffrey Jenson, Graduate School of Social Work
- 2007-2008: Jack Donnelly, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2008-2009: Rick Ball, Mathematics
- 2009-2010: Martin Rhodes, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2010-2011: Ilene Grabel, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2011-2012: Tom Farer, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2012-2013: Not Awarded
- 2013-2014: Susan Schulten, History
- 2014-2015: Jeanne Abrams, University Libraries
- 2015-2016: William Cross, Morgridge College of Education
- 2016-2017: Sam Kamin, Sturm College of Law
- 2017-2018: Alan Chen, Strum College of Law
- 2018-2019: Malcolm Lynn Baker, Lamont School of Music
- 2019-2020: Carl Raschke, Religious Studies
- 2020-2021: Bruce Uhrmacher, Morgridge College of Education
This award is given in recognition of superlative creative and scholarly work. The lecturer is chosen without regard for time spent at the University or popularity as an individual or as a teacher.
Faculty Service Award
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Past Recipients
- 2008-2009: Gordon Von Stroh, Management
- 2009-2010: Davor Balzar, Physics & Astronomy
- 2010-2011: Alvaro Arias, Mathematics
- 2011-2012: Robert Dores, Biological Sciences
- 2012-2013: Ved Nanda, Sturm College of Law
- 2013-2014: Charles Reichardt, Psychology
- 2014-2015: Federico Cheever, Sturm College of Law
- 2015-2016: Nancy Wadsworth, Political Science
- 2016-2017: Sarah Pessin, Philosophy, Judaic Studies
- 2017-2018: Nicholes Ormes, Mathematics
- 2018-2019: Lisa Martinez, Sociology and Criminology
- 2019-2020: Annette Stott, Art History, DU-Iliff Joint Doctoral Program
- 2020-2021: Sarah Watamura, Psychology
This award is given to a faculty member in recognition of outstanding service to the university, the community, or the profession.
Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award/ Ruth Murray Underhilll Teaching Award
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Past Recipients
- 1999-2000: Hallie Ward, Psychology
- 2000-2001: Jeffrey C. Keith, Art & Art History
- 2001-2002: Barbara H. Wright, TWC/University College
- 2002-2003: Robert Melvin, University College
- 2003-2004: Raymond G. Boersema, Women's College
- 2003-2004: Uri Neil, Judaic Studies
- 2004-2005: Bradford Bolton, College of Law
- 2005-2006: Chris Edwards, University College
- 2006-2007: Not Awarded
- 2007-2008: Michelle Meyer, Daniels College of Business
- 2008-2009: Margaret Sanders, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2009-2010: Andrea Gelfuso, Geography & the Environment
- 2010-2011: Lynn Holland, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2011-2012: Randel Lewis, Reiman School of Finance
- 2012-2013: Robert McGahey, Sturm College of Law
- 2013-2014: Martin Garnar, Morgridge College of Education
- 2013-2014: Lavita Nadkarni, Graduate School of Professional Psychology
- 2014-2015: Richard von Foerster, Lamont School of Music
- 2015-2016: Helene Grall-Johnson, Languages & Literatures
- 2016-2017: Floyd Cobb, Morgridge College of Education
- 2017-2018: Ellen Winiarczyk, University College
- 2018-2019: Josiah Hatch, Josef Korbel School of International Studies
- 2019-2020: Kyle Fleming, Lamont School of Music
- 2020-2021: Oriol Casanas, World Languages
This award is given in recognition of excellence in teaching by an adjunct faculty member. The honoree should have taught at least one course per year in at the University in a degree-granting program for each of the three years prior to the nomination.
Sarah Pessin Shared Governance Award
This award is given in recognition of faculty member and administrator for their work together on shared governance.
Winners:
2022 Sarah Pessin and Mary Clark
2023 Kevin Lynch and Linda Kosten