Distinguished Teaching Awards were established in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences to recognize those members of the faculty who have made significant contributions to teaching. The Distinguished Teaching Award symbolizes the College's commitment of excellence in teaching. Two cash awards of $1500 [less taxes] each will be presented annually, one to a non-tenured faculty and one to a tenured faculty member.

Eligibility

• Must be an A- or B-base salary member of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences faculty engaged in teaching at the University of Minnesota for three or more years.
• Must be a classroom teacher of undergraduate and/or graduate level courses.
• Must be nominated by students, colleagues, alumni and/or administrative officers.
• Previous recipients of the teaching award are not eligible.
• Faculty who have been nominated for other teaching awards are eligible for nomination.

Nomination Procedure

Each unit of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences may nominate one person for each award. Nominations should include the following information.

• A statement presenting the case for nomination with specific reference to the criteria listed. 
• An on-line nomination form from one or more persons making the nomination;
• A list of courses taught and advising assignments;
• A list of courses developed and an indication of what kind of teaching-related materials have been developed.
• Evidence of improvement of teaching and self evaluation;
• Student course evaluation data
• Two (2) letters* from current students supporting the nomination;
• Two (2) letters* from peers or colleagues supporting the nomination;
• Two (2) letters* from alumni supporting the nomination;
• A curriculum vitae, with departmental, collegiate, and university committee involvement as well as publication record;

* Letters should address the items listed under Evaluation Criteria.

Evaluation Criteria

Selection of the award recipients will be based on the documents that support each nomination. The following items will be considered:

• Availability to students; willingness to help students;
• Ability to attract and stimulate students;
• Use of current, innovative, and effective teaching practices;
• Effectiveness as a communicator;
• Success in helping students to develop a philosophy of leadership and in stimulating intellectual growth of students;
• Contributions to teaching materials, i.e., journal articles, textbooks, laboratory manuals, audio visual materials, etc.

Evaluation Procedure

The completed nomination packages will be reviewed by the College's Honors and Awards Committee. The committee will use the above criteria for selecting Distinguished Teaching Award recipients.

Presentation of Awards

The awards will be presented at the College Assembly on May 13, 2008.

Deadline

Four copies of the nominations are due in the 190 Coffey Hall no later than 12:00 noon on April 21, 2008. Please contact Caitrin Mullan at mull0230@umn.edu or 612-626-3975 if you have any questions. Please address letters to the CFANS Distinguished Teaching Awards Selection Committee.