Nominations are now open for the university’s highest awards for distinguished teaching: the Ersted Award, the Thomas F. Herman Awards and a new addition for pedagogy.

The 2014 Crystal Apple awards will be expanded this year to include the "Excellence in Pedagogy" award for as many as four faculty members.

The new awards, made possible by generous support from Thomas F. Herman, will be for outstanding educational achievement and expertise in a specific area of teaching. Examples include specialized teaching situations such as large classes, studios or practica, and pedagogical advancements such as technologically innovative teaching methodologies.

The Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching is for faculty members who have been employed at the UO for at least two years, but are still relatively early in their teaching careers. The late A.J. Ersted established the award; it honors faculty members who demonstrate the ability to engage students to learn with reason and not merely memorize.

The Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching honors faculty members who have been employed at the UO for at least seven years and demonstrate long-standing and exceptional excellence in teaching, and contribute significantly to student learning.

The nomination deadline is Jan. 31.

Learn more about the Crystal Apple awards here; and follow this link to submit nominations. Please contact Meg Mattson in Academic Affairs via email atmegm@uoregon.edu for additional questions.

- by Sarah MacKenzie, UO Office of Strategic Communications intern