6.0 FACULTY AWARDS, HONORS AND GRANTS
6.1 Honorary Degrees (Board of Trustees, May, 1987) (amended by SD5500S and SD0289F)
Honorary degrees are awarded by UNC Asheville in three categories:
- Recognition of scholarly or intellectual achievement and contribution to the world of arts, letters, science, drama, music, etc.
- Recognition of contribution to the civic, political, economics, or cultural leadership of the Asheville community and/or specific interests in the development of UNC Asheville.
- Recognition of a speaker at a major university event such as commencement, special convocation, etc.
Doctoral degrees honoris causa are granted by the University with the approval of the UNC Asheville Board of Trustees who would act on the recommendations of the Chancellor. The "Delegation of Duty and Authority to Boards of Trustees," adopted 7/7/72 by the UNC Board of Governors, provides as follows with regard to honorary degrees, awards, and distinctions:
The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for approving the names of all individuals on whom it is proposed that an honorary degree or other honorary or memorial distinction be conferred by the institution, subject to such policies as established by the Board of Governors.
Nominations or suggestions of persons to receive honorary degrees are welcomed from all persons interested in the welfare and stature of the University: faculty, trustees, students, and others. The names of persons nominated or suggested are to be reviewed by the Chancellor who submits them to the Board of Trustees. Initial responsibility for receiving and reviewing the recommendations is delegated to the External Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees. At its discretion, however, the Board may elect to act as a Committee-of-the-whole in considering nominations for honorary degree recipients.
The Board of Trustees awards the honorary degrees and the Chancellor has the responsibility of notifying the proposed recipients of this action. If for any reason the Chancellor were unable to arrange for the degree to be awarded at the scheduled time, he or she is authorized to postpone the awarding of the degree for no more than one year if the recipient were unable to appear at the previously scheduled time. A maximum of three honorary degrees may be awarded by the institution in any calendar year, unless an exception were made by the Board of Trustees.
6.2.1 Feldman Professor (SD2493S)
Each year the full-time, ranked faculty of UNC Asheville shall select two of its members for receipt of the Ruth and Leon Feldman Professorship Fund prize. This award will honor two members of the faculty who have excelled in one or both of the following fields:
- Service to the community and to UNC Asheville; and,
- Demonstrated competence in the areas of teaching, research and published writings.
The selection of these two individuals is the responsibility of the Faculty Scholarship and Service Awards Committee whose composition and procedures are described in Section 10.3.4. The awards are bestowed at the final spring faculty meeting. Recipients of the award will be listed in the UNC Asheville catalog in a section describing the Ruth & Leon Feldman Professorship Fund.
Money from the Ruth & Leon Feldman Fund shall not be used to support the UNC Asheville Distinguished Teacher Award.
6.2.2 Teaching Awards
UNC Asheville selects eight faculty members each year for recognition of teaching excellence. The first award listed, the UNC Asheville Distinguished Teacher Award, was created by UNC Asheville's Faculty Senate in 1981 (SD3381). The remaining awards are derived from UNC Administrative Memorandum #343 (4/29/94) as specified in SD0194F.
All teaching award activity (i.e. calls for nominations, review of applications) is conducted by a Teaching Awards Committee, described in 10.4.29. The Teaching Awards Committee solicits nominations from students, faculty and alumni each fall and spring. Applications are reviewed and awards are bestowed each spring.
6.2.2.1 UNC Asheville Distinguished Teacher Award (SD3381)
This is UNC Asheville's original teaching award, presented during Spring Commencement to a member of the Faculty who is judged a "Distinguished Teacher." A monetary award accompanies this recognition and all Distinguished Teachers are listed in the UNC Asheville catalog. This award reflects the high priority and importance placed on teaching at UNC Asheville. Any full-time faculty member (Lecturer, Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor) shall be eligible, except for those faculty who have previously won the award.
The concept of a Distinguished Teacher Award carries with it certain assumptions, among which are:
1. Teaching is an art; no exact measurement or measuring devices can ever assure an objective determination of successful teaching since no definition of good teaching is ever wholly accurate or even desirable; effectiveness in the classroom carries with it the indefinable factors of character, personality, enthusiasm, and creativity.2. The selection of an outstanding teacher by one's peers and one's students will always involve a degree of subjectivity; there can be no guarantee that in any given year, the award will recognize the single best instructor on campus; instead, the award will recognize one outstanding teacher; over a period of years, the probability is that a variety of good instructors from various fields will have an equal opportunity for recognition.
3. The selection process requires a trust in our colleagues; we must assume that those on the Review Committee will act professionally and in the best interest of the faculty and the university.
4. In spite of inherent flaws in attempting to offer an award where total objectivity cannot be guaranteed, such an award is highly desirable; merit always deserves recognition, and the university benefits from the public acknowledgement that we value and emphasize quality in the classroom.
6.2.2.2 Board of Governors' Award for Teaching Excellence (UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, 4/29/94) (SD0194F)
UNC Administrative Memorandum #343 (4/29/94) created a set of system-wide teaching awards known as the Board of Governors' Awards. Each one bestows a monetary award of $7,500 on the faculty member selected by the constituent institution as the Board of Governors' Distinguished Teacher. The award is presented each spring in a ceremony at the Board of Governors office. Eligibility is restricted to tenured faculty who have taught at their constituent institutions for at least seven years.
6.2.2.3 Award for Teaching Excellence in the Humanities (SD0194F)
One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all full-time faculty who teach courses within a Humanities division department or program with a rank of lecturer or higher, regardless of tenure status, are eligible for this award. The Humanities Division includes the following departments: Art and Art History, Classics, Drama, English, History, Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, and Religious Studies, along with the Dance Program. Award amount: $1,750.
6.2.2.4 Award for Teaching Excellence in the Natural Sciences (SD0194F)
One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all full-time faculty who teach courses within a Natural Sciences division department or program with a rank of lecturer or higher, regardless of tenure status, are eligible for this award. The Natural Sciences Division includes the following departments: Atmospheric Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, New Media, and Physics. Award amount: $1,750.
6.2.2.5 Award for Teaching Excellence in the Social Sciences (SD0194F)
One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all full-time faculty who teach courses within a Social Sciences division department or program with a rank of lecturer or higher, regardless of tenure status, are eligible for this award. The Social Sciences Division includes the following departments: Economics, Education, Health and Wellness, Management and Accountancy, Mass Communication, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology and Anthropology. Award amount: $1,750.
6.2.2.6 Award for Excellent Teaching by an Untenured Faculty Member (SD0194F)
One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all full-time untenured faculty, regardless of appointment status, with a rank of lecturer or higher are eligible for this award. Award amount: $1,750.
6.2.2.7 Award for Excellent Teaching by a Non-Full-Time Faculty Member (SD0194F)
One of the teaching awards developed in response to UNC Administrative Memorandum #343, all non-full-time faculty, regardless of appointment status, are eligible for this award. Award amount: $1,750.
6.2.2.8 Award for Excellent Teaching in University Programs
This teaching award was added by Academic Affairs in 2013. All full-time faculty who teach courses within a university program with a rank of lecturer or higher, regardless of tenure status, are eligible for this award. University Programs include the following: Africana Studies, Arts and Ideas, Honors, Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies, International Studies, Master’s of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Award amount: $1,750.
6.2.3 Distinguished Service Award (SD7708S SD0112F SD8813S)
The Faculty Scholarship and Service Awards Committee, whose composition and procedures are described in 10.3.4, selects two ranked full-time faculty members to receive the annual award for distinguished service..
6.2.4 Distinguished Scholarship and Creative Achievement Award (SD7708S SD0112F SD8813S)
The Faculty Scholarship and Service Awards Committee, whose composition and procedures are described in 10.3.4, selects two ranked full-time faculty members to receive the annual award for distinguished scholarship and creative achievement.
6.2.5 Oliver Max Gardner Award - Board of Governors
The Oliver Max Gardner Award is a distinction granted yearly by the Board of Governors to a faculty member on one of the sixteen campuses who has "made the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race" during the year. Nomination of a UNC Asheville faculty member for this award is made to the Chancellor by the Distinguished Scholars Committee (see Section 10.3.1).
6.3 Visiting Professorships
6.3.1 Bergemann Distinguished Visiting Educator
The Verna E. Bergemann Distinguished Visiting Educators Fund brings persons of distinguished achievement in education to interact with faculty, students and the general public. The Bergemann Distinguished Visiting Educator is selected by the Education Department faculty in consultation with the Provost and VCAA.
6.3.2 Highsmith Distinguished Visiting Professor
The Allene and William E. Highsmith Distinguished Visiting Scholar Fund brings persons of distinguished achievement for residency at UNC Asheville, at which time they will interact with faculty, students, and the community and will be a source of intellectual stimulation for both campus and community. The Highsmith Distinguished Visiting Scholar is selected by the Distinguished Scholars Committee (see Section 10.3.1).
6.4 Endowed Professorships (SD0313F)
Thanks to the generosity of donors, foundations, and funding organizations, UNC Asheville has a number of Endowed Professorships. These positions vary in expectation and duration as specified below. Endowed Professors ordinarily do not also serve as Department Chairs or Program Directors, and may do so only with approval of the appropriate Dean and the Provost and VCAA, and only if his or her teaching load remains at or above half-time for the year.
6.4.1 Belk Professor (Humanities)
The Carol G. Belk Distinguished Professorship in Humanities was endowed by Irwin Belk in honor of his wife. Subtitled "Ethics In Contemporary Cultures," the Belk Professorship is given to an individual who can share his or her knowledge of the history, development and function of ethics and ethical systems in contemporary world cultures. The Belk Professor may come from any discipline and must have substantial accomplishment in undergraduate teaching, interdisciplinary teaching, scholarship, and campus and community leadership. The Belk Professor receives twelve contact hours of reassigned time, and has duties which include teaching courses in the Humanities program, scholarship, support of undergraduate research and faculty development activities. No term of appointment is specified.
6.4.2 Carson Professor (Natural Sciences)
The Phillip G. Carson Distinguished Professor in Science may be awarded in any discipline in UNC Asheville's natural sciences division, preferably to an individual whose specialty area stresses interdisciplinary learning. Identified as both a teacher and a scholar, the Carson Professor must have a strong commitment to undergraduate education and to undergraduate research, and is expected to have a wide impact on the university community and the state. Duties include regular teaching of both upper and lower level courses (number of courses not specified), scholarship, support of undergraduate research, faculty development activities, and some public responsibilities. The appointment also provides separate funding for additional expenses. No term of appointment is specified.
6.4.3 Glaxo Wellcome Professor (Natural Sciences)
The Glaxo Wellcome Professorship in Undergraduate Research may be awarded in any discipline in the physical and natural sciences, preferably to an individual whose expertise can enhance interdisciplinary learning and scholarship. The Glaxo Wellcome Professor is expected to take the lead role in facilitating interdisciplinary science and undergraduate science research. Evidence of commitment to undergraduate education, undergraduate research, and the liberal arts is essential. Preference is given to those with a proven record of securing external funds. The Glaxo Wellcome Professor receives twelve contact hours of reassigned time each year, supporting their scholarship, support of undergraduate research, faculty development activities, and some public responsibilities. The appointment is for five years, renewable for a second five years.
6.4.4 Breman Professor (Social Sciences)
The Sara and Joseph Breman Foundation and the Helen and Coleman Zageir Foundation have provided a permanent endowment for the Sara and Joseph Breman Professorship of Social Relations. This professorship is awarded for a two-year term to a faculty member residing in one of the Social Science departments. A call for applications is made during the fall semester of the Breman Professor's second year. Applications are reviewed the following spring by the Dean of Social Sciences in consultation with the chairs of the Social Science departments, and the appointment is made by the Chancellor. The Breman Professor is named in the spring and his or her two-year term begins the subsequent fall.
6.4.5 NEH Professor (Humanities)
Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the title of NEH professor is bestowed as a reward for scholarship and teaching in the Humanities. The NEH professor teaches a reduced class load (twelve contact hours of release time each year) and assists with faculty development in the Humanities area. The appointment is made by the Provost and VCAA for a term of 3 years.
6.4.6 Owen Professor (Economics)
Supported by a grant from the C. D. Spangler Foundation, the Owen Professorship is awarded to a Professor of Economics to recognize and to encourage excellence in the Department of Economics in teaching, scholarship, and professional and community service. The Owen Professorship provides twelve contact hours of reassigned time each year and financial resources which enables the pursuit of work that would not otherwise have been possible, preferably work that engages others in the university and in the community. The term of appointment is three years, which may be renewed.
6.4.7 GlaxoSmithKline Professor (Molecular and Chemical Biology)
The GlaxoSmithKline Professorship is supported by grants from the GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and the C. D. Spangler foundation. The appointment recognizes excellence in teaching and scholarship in the area of molecular and chemical biology, and is for a five-year term which may be renewed for a subsequent five-year term. The GlaxoSmithKline Professor receives twelve contact hours of reassigned time each year to enable support of undergraduate research.
6.4.8 Roy Carroll Distinguished Professorship (Arts and Sciences Honors) (SD5321S)
The Roy Carroll Distinguished Professorship in Honors Arts and Sciences was made possible by a grant from the C.D. Spangler Foundation and a generous anonymous private gift. The Professorship is awarded to a tenured full professor who has a record of substantive contribution to the University and its mission as well as exemplary teaching across the liberal arts curriculum. The appointment comes with twelve contact hours of reassigned time each year.This important intellectual and leadership role has the following overarching responsibilities and expectations:
1.to engage in teaching, scholarship, and creative production that helps to increase the regional, statewide, and national visibility of the University and its mission;
2.to support ongoing mentorship and the success of students both here and beyond UNC Asheville, and in particular supporting opportunities to help students showcase their work to regional, statewide and national audiences
The Carroll Professor is expected to teach in his or her home department. The initial appointment is for a three-year term, with the possibility of a second three-year reappointment. The Carroll Professor will write a report each year on the activities engaged and the outcomes achieved.6.4.9 Howerton Professor (Humanities)
Supported by a gift from Helen Howerton Lineberry and her husband Al Lineberry in memory of her father, Thomas Howerton, and a grant from the C. D. Spangler Foundation, the Howerton Professorship is awarded to a tenured full professor who has demonstrated exemplary teaching across the liberal arts curriculum and made substantive contributions to the University and its mission. The Howerton professorship has a four-fold responsibility: (1) to add knowledge for the betterment of humanity, (2) to enhance UNC Asheville's emphasis on an interdisciplinary study of Humanities infused across the curriculum, (3) to make more visible—locally, statewide, and nationally—UNC Asheville's dedication to the Humanities, and (4) to inspire excellence in the study of the Humanities by initiating and coordinating a lecture series. The Professorship offers compensation in the form of a stipend and provides for twelve contact hours of reassigned time each year. The Thomas Howerton Distinguished Professorship is a three-year appointment, with the possibility of a second three-year reappointment.
6.4.10 Interdisciplinary Distinguished Professor of the Mountain South (Any field)
Supported by grants from the C.D. Spangler Foundation and the UNC Asheville Foundation, this professorship is awarded to a tenured full professor from any discipline who has demonstrated exemplary teaching across the liberal arts curriculum, scholarly expertise in a field related to the Mountain South, and substantive contributions to the University and its mission. The Professorship offers compensation in the form of a stipend and provides for twelve contact hours of reassigned time each year. The appointment is for three years, with the possibility of a second three-year reappointment.
6.5 Institutional Grants
6.5.1 University Research Council Grants
Intramural Faculty Research Award Policies (Revised by VCAA 2007)
- Publicity of the Intramural Faculty Research award opportunity will be the responsibility of the University Research Council (URC) and selection of proposals for funding will be made by the URC members with the approval of the VCAA.
- Faculty members receiving Intramural Faculty Research awards will be notified by the URC.
- Support should be acknowledged in publications resulting from intramural faculty research grants and one copy of each such publication should be donated to the URC.
- When the grant period is completed, a final report must be submitted to the URC within thirty days. Requests for extension of the grant period must be received in writing by the Office of the Deans on or before the end of the grant period.
- Current URC committee members are not eligible for these awards.
6.5.2 University Teaching Council Grants
Each year, if funds are available, the University Teaching Council accepts requests for funds for teaching related activities. that support professional development in teaching or pedagogical innovation. Faculty may request funds for travel to a pedagogical conference, purchase of supplies or equipment, stipends for peer mentors, funding for a guest speaker in a course, or other expenses related to innovation and development in teaching. Funding may not be used to support faculty stipends.
While all UNC Asheville faculty are eligible to apply, funding will be preferentially awarded to newer (full-time) faculty and applicants who have not received previous funding from UTC or the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Recipients must be willing to share their teaching development experiences with an appropriate audience of colleagues, e.g., CTL or summer workshop, department colloquium, or library brown bag talk.
6.5.3 University Service Council Grants
Each year the Council will select recipients of grants to support appropriate service activities. These grants will be $250 to $1,000 for formal service activities on or off campus including international service. Emphasis will be placed on service that contributes to student learning and the professional development of the recipients.
6.6 FORMS for Section 6.0
No forms for this section.