Nominations for Williams Fellows proposals, fellows now open

Nominations for fellows and instructional proposals for the Tom and Carol Williams Fund for Undergraduate Education are now open and are due Feb. 15.

The Williams Council is seeking nominees who are excellent teachers and have demonstrated a commitment to undergraduate education by challenging their students academically and creating an engaged and inclusive learning environment.

Williams Fellows embody the spirit of innovation in teaching and learning, but they also represent the collaborative ideal of reaching across disciplines and departments to create change and opportunities for students.

“The Williams Fund honors faculty and ideas that push against boundaries,” said Lee Rumbarger, assistant vice provost for teaching engagement. “Williams Fellows are great teachers who innovate even across courses or disciplines or contexts. Williams instructional proposals bring to life faculty teaching ideas that are outside 'business as usual.' What a joy that each year the council can honor faculty who move the university forward like this.”

Instructional proposals also are welcome from individuals or groups who want to build opportunities for teachers to renew, broaden, restructure or develop classes or coursework that actively engage students in the learning process.

A $5,000 award to the recipients acknowledges their outstanding contribution to undergraduate learning at the University of Oregon. In accordance with the goals of the Williams Council, a separate $5,000 award is given to support innovative undergraduate learning experiences in the recipient’s department.

For those interested in hearing directly from past Williams grantees, the Williams Showcase will feature Kathleen Freeman, computer and information science; and Ed Madison, School of Journalism and Communication. It will take place Feb. 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. on Zoom. Registration can be done online.

To nominate someone for a Williams Fellow award, complete the nomination form and email two supporting letters and the nominee’s CV to the Office of the Provost with the subject line Williams Fellow Nomination.

The supporting letters should specifically address the nominee’s pedagogical or curricular innovations and/or their collaborations across courses, departments or disciplines.

See a list of proposals made possible by the Williams Fund on the provost’s website.