President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching seeking nominations

Oct. 7, 2016

   WILLFORD

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Ask any number of students, faculty or staff members at Slippery Rock University which instructor best exemplifies excellence in teaching and you're likely to get just as many different answers.

That variety of opinion can now be channeled into nominations for the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

The annual award honors a faculty member whose primary responsibility is teaching. Those nominated must demonstrate an exemplary commitment to teaching and student learning and must maintain a classroom that promotes high student engagement while pursuing scholarly growth that enhances teaching.

The award will be presented at the Academic Honors and Student Leadership Convocation, March 25, 2017.

Students, faculty, staff and alumni may submit nominations for the award via an online form. The deadline for nominations is Oct. 16.

Jennifer Willford, assistant professor of psychology and the 2016 award winner, is co-chairing the Excellence in Teaching Award committee with David Valentine, professor, School of Business.

Willford said that 24 nominations have been submitted as of Oct. 6. With more than 90 nominations submitted last year, Willford is encouraging everyone to get involved in the process and recognize those faculty members who go above and beyond.

"Not only is it a very prestigious honor to receive, but it shows that that person has a demonstrated commitment to engaging students; using innovative classroom practices; promotes scholarship and encourages community service," said Willford.

Eligible candidates will go through a review process involving department faculty, the college deans, and the award committee. Four finalists, one from each college, will be selected and required to submit a teaching portfolio and meet with the award committee to provide a teaching demonstration.

The award committee will then forward the finalists' name to the Office of the Provost for a recommendation to the president.

For additional information, contact Willford at 724.738.2696; Valentine at 724.738.2137 or email: excellence@sru.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine | 724.738.4854 | gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu