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 faculty recipient receives a $2,000 stipend added to his or her salary base. Names of nominees and the eventual award winners are kept confidential until announced by the University President in mid-May. Recipients are recognized at University Convocation in the fall.
Call for Nominations - Faculty Distinguished Teaching Awards
Nominations for 2013 are now closed. Winners will be announced in May. Read about the 2012 winners.
About the Awards
Ersted Award:
The late Mr. A.J. Ersted established the Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching so the University of Oregon could annually honor faculty members who have taught comparatively short periods and have demonstrated exceptional abilities to induce students to reason and not merely memorize. The Ersted Award is presented only to faculty who are early in their teaching careers, and who have taught at the University of Oregon for at least two years. This teaching may occur at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Herman Award:
The Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching honors senior faculty members who have achieved outstanding records as teachers. The Herman Award is presented only to faculty members who have had academic rank at the University of Oregon for at least seven years, have demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching, and have contributed significantly to student learning at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Eligibility
Any current faculty member, tenure-related or NTTF, appointed at .50 FTE or greater, who has taught at the University of Oregon for at least two years is eligible for an award. Faculty who have previously received one of the teaching awards are not eligible for the same award. For a list of previous award winners see Teaching Award Winners.
Graduate Teaching Fellows have their own teaching awards and are not eligible for the Ersted Award or the Herman Award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can submit nominations?
Faculty, staff, students and alumni
Who can be nominated?
Any current faculty member, tenure-related or NTTF, appointed at .50 FTE or greater, who has taught at the University of Oregon for at least 2 years. Eligibility for the Herman Award requires a faculty member to have held academic rank at the university for at least 7 years.
Can teachers who have won previously be nominated?
Previous winners cannot be nominated for the same award. A faculty member who won the Ersted Award early in her career would be eligible for the Herman Award once her seniority made her eligible. For a list of previous award winners visit Distinguished Teaching Awards Previous Winners.
What about GTFs?
No. GTFs have their own teaching awards sponsored by the Graduate School and the Teaching Effectiveness Program. You can learn about those awards at the TEP website.
When are the awards announced?
The two awards are announced by the University President in mid-May and recipients are recognized at University Convocation in the fall.
What does the award involve?
Both awards include institutional recognition for teaching excellence and a permanent salary stipend.
What's the difference between the two awards?
The Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching was established by the late Mr. A. J. Ersted and honors faculty who "have taught comparatively short time periods and have demonstrated exceptional abilities to induce students to reason and not merely memorize.” This teaching may occur at the undergraduate or graduate level.
The Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching honors senior faculty members who have achieved outstanding records as teachers. The award is presented only to faculty members who have held academic rank at the University of Oregon for at least seven years. Recipients are faculty members who have demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching, and have contributed significantly to student learning at the undergraduate or graduate level.
What information will I need to fill out the nomination form?
- Name of the faculty member nominated and his/her department
- The award—Ersted or Thomas F. Herman—for which the person is nominated
- Letter of nomination detailing areas of excellence in teaching
- Name, email address, and phone number of person making the nomination
- Status of person making the nomination (student, staff, faculty, or alumni)
How do I submit a nomination?
Nominations are accepted through an online nomination form or via email. Nominations for 2013 are now closed. Read about the 2012 winners.
If you have questions or would like more information, contact Meg Mattson in Academic Affairs at 541-346-2414.