Millersville University, Faculty Senate
Attachment #5
Faculty Senate Minutes
June 10, 2003
DRAFT
Millersville University Educator of the Year Award
The award to be given annually to four faculty members (one from each
school and one non-school) in recognition of sustained outstanding
teaching and mentoring of the undergraduate and graduate students at
Millersville University.
Award Details:
- Faculty members can receive this award no more frequently than once
every ten years.
- There will be no monetary reward associated with this award.
- The award will consist of a plaque along with the faculty member=s
picture displayed in a common area, and a plaque given to the faculty
member.
- The award will be presented annually at the May commencement
ceremony (or during a separate ceremony with press coverage. The award can
be publicized on television through programs such as Channel 8=s Learning
Matters.
- The recipient would be asked to share expertise and knowledge with
other faculty members (e.g., maybe a special session at the Scholarship
Social or a special session through the Center for Academic Excellence,
participation at the New Faculty Orientation).
- A call for nominations would be sent to the university community
through E-mail and campus mail. Departments will be involved in announcing
the call for nominations to their students and faculty members.
Eligibility for the Award:
All full-time regular tenured faculties are eligible for this award.
Award Selection Committee:
The selection committee will consist of two to three alumni and two to
three faculty emeriti. Either an alumni or a faculty emeritus will chair
the committee. One of the award recipients will chair the committee the
following year.
Selection Criteria:
The Award Selection Committee will make their selections based on the
materials provided by the nominators (supporting letter), other materials
provided by the nominees and their respective department chairs.
Nominations:
Any member of the university, including faculty, staff, administration,
and students, may submit a nomination for this award. The nominations may
also come from an individual School Council. The nominees have to be
tenured faculty at the university. The nominations will be accepted at the
beginning of the Fall semester. The deadline for nominations is
November 1. All nominations must use the nominations form,
and include a supporting letter from the nominator. The letters should
specifically address the following:
- Does the individual involve students directly in the learning process?
- Does the individual synthesize complex concepts and bodies of
knowledge into well-communicated material?
- Is the individual approachable to students through fostering an
environment of personal and professional concern?
- Does the individual serve as a role model to both students and
fellow faculty members at the departmental, and University levels and with
the larger communities with which he/she comes into contact in scholarly,
personal, and professional efforts?
- Is the individual committed to what is going on not only within
his/her department, but also throughout the University, thereby helping
students take advantage of all available opportunities for students?
- Nominees and their respective department chairs will be notified
before the end of the fall semester (so as to allow the nominee ample time
to provide supporting materials). The nominee and the respective
department chair will be asked at this time to provide supporting
materials. The supporting materials can include, but are not limited to,
student evaluations, peer reviews of teaching, testimonials from current
and former students, and any curricular materials developed by the
nominee. The deadline for submission of the supporting materials will be
February 20.
Committee's Recommendation:
The selection committee will forward their recommendations to the Faculty
Senate by March 15.
Announcement of the Award
The award will be announced at the May commencement ceremony or a separate
ceremony?.
DRAFT
Millersville University Educator of the Year Award
Criteria for Selection
Outstanding teaching and advising comes in many forms and thus it is
difficult to list all the characteristics that would be worthy of an
award. The criteria listed here are intended to be suggestions. The
nominations should describe the outstanding characteristics and
achievements of the nominee as appropriate.
Outstanding Educator of the Year
- Instills intellectual curiosity, a desire to learn, and the importance
of life-long learning
- Stimulates learning through teaching, advising, and/or
counseling, modeling of scholarship, involving students in the
learning process, expressing genuine concern for the student as
a whole, setting of high standards, enthusiastic and passionate about
their field
- Can be demonstrated through reference to the achievements of students
- Encourages and demonstrates moral action, integrated view
of life, personal responsibility and integrity, leadership, clear and
critical thinking, and good citizenship
- Influence on the way other colleagues teach, advise and/or counsel
- Have an effect beyond the Millersville University community
- Serious about academic excellence and meaningful life experiences of
the students
- Available to students, making them feel welcome, and respected
- Skillful in encouraging problem-solving techniques by
helping students to think through issues and make decisions.
DRAFT
Millersville University Educator of the Year Award
Nomination Form
Deadline for Submission: November 1
Nominee's Name: ______________________________________
Nominee's Department: _______________________________
Your Name: ___________________________________________
Your Department/Major/Minor/Certificate Program:
_____________________________________
Your Year in School: _______________________________
Your Position: ____________________________________
Please provide a response for the questions in a manner that is concise
but detailed. Specific examples of teaching and mentoring are most helpful
to the selection committee. Please keep in mind that your submission,
properly understood, is an argument for honoring your nominee with this
award.
- How does your nominee serve as a role model to students and/or
other faculty members?
- How does your nominee generate enthusiasm for and inspire
increased interest in his/her discipline? How does your nominee engage and
hold student interest?
- How does your nominee distinguish him/herself from other
colleagues? What is it about your nominee that makes him/her so
exceptional that he/she merits the description of educator of the year?
- How does your nominee demonstrate an understanding for students
needs, and a commitment to the university community.
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