Western University Awards for Excellence

Established in 1997, the Hellmuth Prize for Achievement in Research recognizes faculty members with outstanding international reputations for their contributions in research – one of the defining hallmarks of a university..

This award was established at Western in 1980-81 and is awarded based on evidence of outstanding contributions in the area of classroom, laboratory, or clinical instruction. The award is intended for full-time faculty who are either Limited Term or Tenured at the University and its Affiliated University Colleges.

This award was established at Western in 1996-97 and is awarded based on evidence of outstanding contributions in the area of classroom, laboratory, or clinical instruction. The award is intended for full-time faculty who are either Limited Term or Probationary at the University and its Affiliated University Colleges and who usually have seven years or less of full-time university teaching experience.

The award for excellence in teaching by part-time faculty was established at Western in 1989-90. It is to be awarded based on evidence of continued outstanding contributions to the academic development of students. All part-time members of faculty of the University and its Affiliated University Colleges are eligible for nomination for the award.

First awared in 2016, the Western Award for Innovation in Technology-Enhanced Teaching is meant to recognize and reward the contributions of faculty members at Western University and its Affiliated University Colleges who have significantly improved the experience and outcomes of their students through the intentional incorporation of technology into their teaching practice.

All continuing members of faculty who are Tenured, Probationary, or Limited Term at Western or the Affiliated University Colleges are eligible for nomination. In addition, part- time* members of faculty are also eligible for nomination.

First awarded in 2017, Vice-Provost’s (Academic Programs) Award for Excellence in Online Teaching and Learning is designed to recognize and reward the efforts of instructors who have demonstrated outstanding online teaching through exemplary online course design.

All full-time and part-time members of the faculty at Western or the Affiliated University Colleges are eligible for nomination.

The Award of Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching is co-presented by The University Students' Council, The Bank of Nova Scotia and UWO Alumni Association, to recognize, celebrate and award excellence in undergraduate teaching. Each year four award recipients are selected by the USC Teaching Excellence Awards Committee comprised of the USC VP Education, USC Teaching Awards Commissioner, USC Council members, student-at-large members, and Alumni members.

Established in 2005, the Distinguished University Professor Award recognizes sustained excellence in scholarship over a substantial career at Western. Scholarship is broadly defined to include research, teaching and service to the community. Thus, this award is not a recognition solely of research excellence, which is the purpose of the Hellmuth Prize, nor is it a recognition solely of teaching excellence, which is the purpose of the Pleva Award. The Distinguished University Professorship recognizes sustained excellence as a complete scholar.

Established in 2005, the Faculty Scholars Award recognizes significant recent scholarly achievements in teaching or research. Nominated by faculty deans and selected by the Faculty Selection committee chaired by the Provost, the recipients have an international presence in their discipline and are considered all-round scholars. Winners hold the title “Faculty Scholar” for two years and receive $7,000 each year for scholarly activities, as well as receiving a citation.

First awarded in 2005, the Western Award of Excellence is the highest level of campus-wide recognition for the exceptional performance of Western staff. The award recognizes and rewards staff for their outstanding contributions to the campus community.

Any active full- or part-time Western administrative staff (excludes full-time students and faculty); Staff and faculty at affiliated university colleges are not eligible. Any work team is also eligible.