Each year, the University of Oregon recognizes outstanding faculty members with UO’s highest teaching honor, the Distinguished Teaching Awards, and nominations for the 2018-19 awards are now open and will be accepted through Feb. 9.

Faculty members are nominated by students, colleagues, staff and community members for the Ersted and Herman Distinguished Teaching Awards and recognition for classroom innovations and online instruction.

“These prestigious awards help us recognize faculty who demonstrate excellence in face-to-face and online learning environments,” said Sierra Dawson, associate vice provost for academic affairs and convener of the Distinguished Teaching Awards Committee. “Student success is a key priority for the UO, and these engaged faculty members are leading the way through their use of inclusive and evidence-based teaching practices.”

Nominations for this year’s Distinguished Teaching Awards can be made using the online form.

The winners will be announced in May, when the president and provost drop in to surprise the awardees in their classrooms or faculty meetings.

The iconic crystal apples will be bestowed on two faculty members — one senior and one early-career — for demonstrated excellence in the classroom. Four Oregon-made myrtlewood apples will be awarded for innovation in a specialized area of teaching or exceptional online instruction.

Career instructional and tenure-track faculty members who have been employed at least half-time over the academic year are eligible for nomination. The awardees are selected by a committee of career instructional and tenure-track faculty members representing a diversity of schools and colleges across campus.

To learn more about the Distinguished Teaching Awards, visit the Office of the Provost website.

—By Jesse Summers, University Communications