The University of Oregon honored Louise Bishop and David Blackwell with the Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching this spring.

Blackwell was recently surprised by President Michael Gottfredson with news about the honor.  Bishop, currently at Oxford University, will receive the in-person accolade this fall.

Bishop is an associate professor of literature in the Robert D. Clark Honors College and has been at the UO for more than 27 years. Students and faculty repeatedly note her remarkable breadth of knowledge, infectious enthusiasm for her subject matter, deep care for her students as learners and the ability to engage them deeply and widely in inquiry and dialogue.

“Professor Bishop commands a rare blend of passion for teaching, command of an academic discipline and the art of adjusting instruction to individual student needs without sacrificing rigor,” said David Frank, former dean of the Clark Honors College.

Blackwell, a senior instructor for the Department of Geological Sciences who has been with the UO since 1986, has been described as one of the most inspirational and dedicated instructors on our campus.

“Dave Blackwell is, simply put, a force of nature with a smile,” said Rebecca Dorsey, geological sciences department head.

The Herman Faculty Achievement Award, first awarded in 1985, is given to senior faculty members who have held academic rank for more than seven years and demonstrated long-standing excellence in teaching at the university.

“The annual awards are a special time when the university acknowledges publicly that excellent teaching is one of our primary values and assets,” said Barbara K. Altmann, vice provost for academic affairs.