University Awards

The Williams Fellowship Program of the Williams Council recognizes faculty who have made outstanding contributions to undergraduate learning at the University of Oregon. The "Fellows" each receive an award of $5,000 to support their teaching and the recipient's department receives an additional $5,000 to be used to affect tangibly the teaching and learning experience of undergraduates in the department.

The Fund for Faculty Excellence was established in 2006, thanks to generous gifts totaling $10.4 million from Lorry I. Lokey to Campaign Oregon: Transforming Lives. Candidates for the awards are nominated by department heads, program directors, and academic deans. The award recipients are selected by the provost based on recommendations by a committee of distinguished facuty members. Each nominee either holds a named chair or is the recipient of another significant honor for outstanding scholarship, research, and teaching. The Fund for Faculty Excellence awards honor UO faculty performing at the forefront of research and discovery. The purpose of the awards program is to reward top faculty members with research support and salary supplements in an effort to recognize and retain world-class research and teaching faculty.

The Wayne T. Westling Award was established by the University Senate to be presented to a faculty or staff member for outstanding and long-term leadership and service. The award is named in honor of Wayne T. Westling, Professor of Law at the University of Oregon from 1979-2001. Professor Westling was renowned across campus for his unswerving and selfless commitment to faculty governance at the University of Oregon.  The two criteria for the Wayne T. Westling Award are: 1) Exemplary service over a period of years to the University through participation in University committees, advisory bodies, or faculty elective positions, and 2) Inspired leadership and commitment to the principles of faculty governance, participatory decision-making, and fostering a campus climate of inclusiveness and respect.

The Distinguished Teaching Award  Each year, the University of Oregon awards crystal apples -- symbols of teaching excellence -- to three of its top teachers. The Thomas F. Herman Award is given to faculty members who have demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching at the university. The Ersted Award recognizes excellence in teaching by faculty members early in their teaching careers. Winners of each award are chosen on the recommendation of faculty members and students. The awards are supported by endowment funds and each of the faculty members receive a $2,000 stipend added to their salary base. University President Richard Lariviere surprises each of the award winners with a personal visit to their class to deliver the crystal apples and announce their award. Recipients are also recognized at spring commencement.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Award recognizes university faculty and staff whose various abilities and achievements uphold and exemplify the ideals supported by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award recipients have acted to make the University a better place in any or all of the following ways:
Demonstrating moral courage, adherence to principles of non-violence, and dedication to the ideal of social harmony in our society / Promoting diversity, social justice and equity on the University of Oregon campus / Welcoming all people into the university community by embodying the humanitarian spirit exemplified in Dr. King's life and work / Working diligently through a commitment to cultural diversity and the promotion of cultural awareness to reduce the broad spectrum of social tensions on campus / Setting a caring example by building morale and showing compassion towards others amidst the realities of our complicated bureaucracy

The Research Innovation Awards Program was launched by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies in 2006 and serves as a vehicle to highlight and celebrate the diversity of UO scholarship and achievement.