Open to Faculty and Veterinarians, these awards recognize excellent contribution toward teaching and learning, broadly defined.
- Distinguished Professor Awards for Excellence in Teaching: up to seven awarded, one for each College.
- Distinguished Professor Awards for Innovation in Teaching: up to two awarded across the University.
Each recipient will be presented with a plaque and a monetary award of $500.00.
Eligibility and criteria
An individual who is a member of the UGFA at the date of nomination is eligible for the award. A Member may receive each Award only once.
Nominated individuals shall have demonstrated excellent performance in any of the following areas of teaching:
- Classroom instruction, including lecturing, small-group teaching, and laboratory instruction
- Consultation with students outside of class, including individual tutoring and advising
- Thesis supervision
- Course design
- Curriculum development
- Production of educational materials, including textbooks, films, and study guidelines
- Development of programs to improve teaching or research on university teaching
- Development of innovative teaching methods
- Educational planning and policy making regarding teaching
While there are no fixed criteria for selecting award winners, preference is normally given to nominees who
- Have been successful in several areas of teaching
- Have the support of more than one constituency
- Are judged to be “truly excellent” rather than merely “very good”
- Appear to have had an effect upon student learning or cognitive development, rather than merely being popular with students or colleagues
Nominations
Nominations may be made by students or faculty at the University of Guelph. Nominations must clearly indicate:
- Name of the nominee
- College and Department of the nominee
- Type of award (excellence in teaching or excellence in innovation)
- Documentation to support the nominations (see below)
- Name and phone number of the nominator
Closing date for Nominations: April 5
Closing date for Supporting Material: April 19
To facilitate the deliberations of the Awards Committee, each nomination package should include the following:
- Table of contents
- Signed Nominee Acceptance Form
- Tabs to separate and identify the various sections of the package
- Signed nominator’s letter. This letter summarizes the highlights of the nomination package, with special focus on areas of excellence in teaching as described under “Eligibility and criteria” above. This letter should represent the core of the case and offer a picture of where and with what priority the supporting documents fit in. Documents seldom speak for themselves; they are invariably more useful when summarized, abstracted, and explained by someone on the scene and familiar with the nominee.
- Teaching CV and Statement of Teaching Philosophy, provided by the nominee
- Letters of support from more than one constituency. The strongest letters address specific areas of excellence and the impact of the nominee. Letters must be current and prepared specifically for the UGFA Award nomination.
- With the permission of the nominee, course evaluation score summaries and the evaluation questionnaire. Raw data is less compelling.
NOTE: The Awards Committee has discretion to grant a Special Merit Teaching Award to a nominee for any of the regular teaching awards. The reasoning behind such a decision will be communicated to the nominator and at the awards reception.
Past winners
2023 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- John Walsh, College of Arts
- Stephen Seah, College of Biological Sciences
- Abdallah Elsayed, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Yuanfang Lin, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
- Kelsey Spence, Ontario Veterinary College
2023 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- Michael Massa, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
2022 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Alan Gordon, College of Arts
- Alexander Smith, College of Biological Science
- Ryan Clemmer, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Youbin Zheng, Ontario Agricultural College
- Saara Liinamaa, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
2022 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- John Donald, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
2021 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Nagham Mohammed, School of Engineering & Physical Sciences
- Wendy Pearson, Ontario Agriculture College
- Laura Favetta, Ontario Veterinary College
2021 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- Susannah Ferreira, College of Arts
2020 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Amanda Boetzkes, College of Arts
- Petros Spachos, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- David Pearl, Ontario Veterinary College
2020 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- Andrea Bradford, College of Engineering and Physical Science
- Tricia Van Rhijn, College of Social and Applied Human Science
2019 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Christina Smylitopolous, College of Arts
- William Bettger, College of Biological Science
- Andrew Gadsden, College of Engineering & Physical Science
- Kathleen Rodenburg, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
- Andria Jones-Bitton, Ontario Veterinary College
- Peter Sikkema, Ontario Agricultural College
2019 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- Glen Pyle, Ontario Veterinary College
2018 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Leanne Foti, College of Business & Economics
- Gary Grewal, College of Physical and Engineering Sciences
2018 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- Bruce McAdams, College of Business & Economics
2017 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Padraig O’Cleirigh, College of Arts
- Steffen Graether, College of Biological Science
- Asha Sadanand, College of Business & Economics
- Mervyn Horgan, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
- Alan Sullivan, Ontario Agricultural College
- Lisa Robertson, Ontario Veterinary College
2017 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- Andria Jones-Bitton, Ontario Veterinary College
2016 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Stefan Lindquist, College of Arts
- Krassimir Yankulov, College of Biological Science
- Sandra Scott, College of Business & Economics
- Julie Vale, College of Physical & Engineering Science
- Vivian Shalla, College of Social & Applied Human Sciences
2016 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- Matthew Demers, College of Physical & Engineering Science
- Kimberly Levere, College of Physical & Engineering Science
2015 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Karen Racine, College of Arts
- Shoshannah Jacobs, College of Biological Science
- Tanya Mark, College of Business & Economics
- Dan Gillis, College of Physical & Engineering Science
- David Walters, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
- Vern Osborne, Ontario Agricultural College
2014 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Margot Irvine, College of Arts
- Marc Coppolino, College of Biological Science
- Martin Williams, College of Physical & Engineering Science
2014 Distinguished Professor Award for Innovation in Teaching:
- Mavis Morton, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
2013 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Andrew Sherwood, College of Arts
- Elizabeth Kurucz, College of Management and Economics
- Jeremy Balka, College of Physical and Engineering Science
- Dan Meegan, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
- Gregoy Bedecarrats, Ontario Agricultural College
- Pavneesh Madan, Ontario Veterinary College
2012 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Jay Lampert, College of Arts
- John Dawson, College of Biological Science
- Evie Adomait, College of Management and Economics
- Jack Trevors, Ontario Agricultural College
- Brad Hanna, Ontario Veterinary College
2011 Distinguished Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching:
- Stephen Powell, College of Arts
- Joe Barth, College of Management and Economics
- Jeremy Paul McNicholas, College of Physical and Engineering Science
2011 Special Merit Award:
- Jacqueline Murray, College of Arts
- Steve Gismondi, College of Physical and Engineering Science
2010 Distinguished Professor Award:
- John Russon, College of Arts
- James Kirkland, College of Biological Science
- Michael Hoy, College of Management and Economics
- Karen Gordon, College of Physical and Engineering Science
- Ian Spears, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
- Sean Kelly, Ontario Agricultural College
- Robert Foster, Ontario Veterinary College
2010 Special Merit Award:
- Denise Mohan, College of Arts
2009 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Andrew Bailey, College of Arts
- Jamie Gruman, College of Management and Economics
2009 Special Merit Award:
- Joanne O’Meara, College of Physical and Engineering Science
2008 Distinguished Professor Award:
- T. Ryan Gregory, College of Biological Science
- Elliott Currie, College of Management and Economics
- Shawki Areibi, College of Physical and Engineering Science
- Hans Bakker, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
- Massimo Marcone, Ontario Agricultural College
2008 Special Merit Award:
- Lori Jones, College of Physical and Engineering Science
2007 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Dawn Cornelio, College of Arts
- William Tam – CPES
- Joan Flaherty, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
- Andrew Peregrine -OVC
- Karen Landman – OAC
2007 Special Merit Award:
- Linda Mahood – COA
- John Walton – OAC
2006 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Ruediger Mueller – COA
- Cecilia Paine – OAC
- S. Wayne Martin – OVC
2006 Special Merit Award:
- John Dawson – CBS
2005 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Gordon Hayward – CPES
- Tina Widowski – OAC
- Stephen Lynch – CSAHS
- Bill Cormack – CPES
- Pal Fischer – CPES
2005 Special Merit Award:
- Jim Brett – Library
2004 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Maurice Nelischer – OAC
- John Baird – OVC
- Dorothy Odartey-Wellington – Arts
- Gerarda Darlington – CPES
- James Pickworth – CSAHS
- Joseph Lam – CBS
2004 Special Merit Award:
- Robert Keates – CBS
2003 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Herb Kunze – CPES
- Michael Wirth – CPES
- Steve Kruth – OVC
- Coral Murrant – CBS
- Elizabeth Ewan – Arts
- Wayne Caldwell – OAC
2002 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Larry Peterson – CBS
- Ian Barker – OVC
- Richard Moccia – OAC
- Ken Dorter – COA
- Doug Joy – CPES
- Frances Sharom – CPES
2002 Special Merit Award:
- John Holt – CPES
- Anthony Hayes – OVC
2001 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Peter Goddard – Arts
- Pat Wright – CBS
- John Holbrook – CPES
- Rick Upfold- OAC
- Bill Nickling – CSAHS
2001 Special Merit Award:
- Jim Mottin – CSAHS
- William Smith – CPES
2000 Distinguished Professor Award:
- S. Scadding – CBS
- K. Fisher – CBS
- G. Adams – OVC
- D. O’Quinn – COA
2000 Special Merit Award:
- N. Gibbins – CBS
1999 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Serge Desmarais – CSAHS
- Nate Perkins – OAC
- David Murray – Arts
- Mark Baker – CPES
1999 Special Merit Award:
- Susan Brown – Arts
1998 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Daniel Fischlin – Arts
- Eric Poisson – CPES
- Jorge Nef – CSAHS
- Stan Blecher – CBS
1997 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Donna Pennee – Arts
- Jean Turner – FACS
- Fred Evers – CSS – Centre for Scottish Studies
- Alan King – OVC
- Nick Westwood – CBS
1997 Special Merit Award:
- Sharon Taylor – Library
- Margaret Priest – Arts
1996 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Alan Filewod – Arts
- Kathleen Brophy – FACS – Family and Consumer Studies
- Francis Tapon – CSS
- Roselynn Stevenson – CBS
1996 Special Merit Award:
- Dana Paramskas, College of Arts
1995 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Kenneth Graham – Arts
- Janet Wood – CBS
- Ellen Goddard – OAC
- Barry Smit – CSS
1994 Distinguished Professor Award:
- T.E. Michaels – OAC
- Catherine Wilson – Arts
- Steven Cronshaw – CSS
- Robert Keats – CPES
- Phillip Sweeny – CBS
1994 Special Merit Award:
- Ron Hinch – CSS
- F. Ross Hallet – CPES
1993 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Jim Pickworth, FACS
- Allan Colter – CPES
- Ward Chesworth – OAC
- Eleanora Cebotarev – CSS
- Gilbert Stelter – Arts
- Brian Derbyshire – OVC
1993 Special Merit Award:
- Tom Hulland – OVC
1992 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Jack Weiner – CPES
- Ann Wilcock – FACS
- Diana Brydon – Arts
- Wayne Pfeiffer – OAC
1992 Special Merit Award:
- Helier J. Robinson – Arts
- Frances Sharom – CPES
1991 Distinguished Professor Award:
- W.D. Woodward – CBS
- Claude Guldner – FACS
- Robert Chapman – CPES
- David prescott – CSS
- Alastair Summerlee – OVC
1991 Special Merit Award:
- Nigel Bunce – CPES
1990 Distinguished Professor Award:
- Ron Brooks – CBS
- Edward Carter – CPES
- Renate Benson – Arts
- Andrew Winston – CBS
- Kathleen Brophy – FACS
1990 Special Merit Award:
- Frans Schryer – CSS
1998 Special Merit Award:
- Tom Wilson _ CPES
- Jan Jofriet – CPES
1998 College Award:
- Robert Liptrap – OVC
- William Graf – CSS
- Jake Barclay – CBS
- Victor Matthews – Arts
- François Pare – Arts
- George Renninger – CPES
- Jim Shute – OAC
- Judith Myer Avis – FACS
1988 College Award:
- B. Wilcocks – OVC
- J. Atkinson – OAC
- S. Corey – CBS
- B. Woodrow – CSS
- J.J. Hubert – CSS
1987 University Award:
- B. MacNeil
1987 College Award:
- J. Bligh
- P.K. Basrur – OVC
- R.L. Thomas – OAC
- J. Mokanski – CPES
- J. Nef – CSS
1986 University Award:
- J. Amstutz – CPES
1986 Special Merit Award:
- E. McFarland – CPES
1986 College Award:
- J. Amstutz – CPES
- W. Rauser – CPES
- J. Cunsolo – CPES
1985 University Award:
- T. J. Gillespie
1985 Special Merit Award:
- G. Boehnert
- H. Wiesman
- J. Bruce
1984 University Award:
- Ron Subden
1984 Special Merit Award:
- John Powell
1984 College Award:
- Jack Madden
- Isabel Alvarez
- John Auld
- Bob Curtis