2019 Distinguished Teaching Awards

Recognizing excellence and innovation in teaching

The university has selected 10 faculty members for this year’s prestigious Distinguished Teaching Awards, the UO’s highest teaching honor.

These outstanding faculty members, nominated by students, faculty, and staff, each represent what it means to practice inclusive, engaged, and research-led teaching in their classrooms and alongside their colleagues. Following the longstanding tradition, the names of the recipients were kept secret until the faculty members were surprised with their award during a class or a faculty meeting.

Join us in recognizing and celebrating these 10 dedicated teachers and their incredible work to support students in their academic endeavors.

Samantha Shune

A.J. Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching

In recognition of the excellence she demonstrates in inclusive, engaged, and research-led teaching, Shune is the 2019 recipient of the Ersted Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Meet Samantha

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Robin Hopkins

A.J. Ersted Award for Specialized Pedagogy in Undergraduate Anatomy & Physiology

In recognition of her dedication to ensuring every student who steps foot into any of her classes feels a sense of belonging, feels represented, and feels empowered, Hopkins is the 2019 recipient of the Ersted Award for Specialized Pedagogy.

Meet Robin

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Peg Boulay

Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Award for Distinguished Teaching

In recognition of innovative teaching to create new opportunities for students to learn inside and outside of the classroom, Boulay is the 2019 recipient of the Herman Faculty Achievement Award.

Meet Peg

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Michelle McKinley

Thomas F. Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy in Undergraduate Legal Studies

In recognition of her work creating collaborative and inclusive learning environments across campus, McKinley is a 2019 recipient of the Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy.

Meet Michelle

 
 

Supporting Teaching Excellence

These awards are made possible by generous donors who help us recognize some of the most engaged, inclusive, and research-led teachers on our campus. Great teachers have the ability to open students’ minds to the widest range of possibilities, inspire curiosity and questioning, and guide students along their academic journey. They bring energy and excitement to their classrooms, advance the research mission of the university, and support our students in achieving academic success.

Thank you to A.J. Ersted and Thomas F. Herman who have made these awards possible.

A.J Ersted Faculty Awards for Distinguished Teaching

The A.J. Ersted Faculty Award was established in 1956 as an annual award for junior faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, preferably to those who have taught comparatively short periods and have demonstrated exceptional abilities to induce students to reason. The A.J. Ersted Award for Specialized Pedagogy was initiated in 2016 to recognize junior faculty members who have demonstrated exceptional teaching abilities and expertise in a particular area of teaching.

Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Awards for Distinguished Teaching

The Thomas F. Herman Faculty Achievement Awards for Distinguished Teaching were established in 1994 to recognize senior faculty members who have demonstrated excellence in teaching. The Thomas F. Herman Award for Excellence in Pedagogy was initiated in 2014 to recognize senior faculty members with expertise in a particular area of teaching. In 2017, a third Herman Award category was established to recognize faculty members at any stage of their career who have demonstrated innovation and creativity in implementing online and hybrid class formats.

Trish Pashby

Thomas F. Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy in International Student Education

In recognition of the breadth and depth of teaching she has demonstrated as one of the longest serving instructors in the American English Institute at UO, Pashby is a 2019 recipient of the Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy.

Meet Trish

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Deborah Exton

Thomas F. Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy in Chemistry Education

In recognition of her outstanding chemistry teaching for undergraduate and graduate students, and innovative course design, Exton is a 2019 recipient of the Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy.

Meet Deborah

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Andy Halvorsen,
Becki Quick,
Linda Wesley,
& Tom Tasker

Thomas F. Herman Award for Outstanding Online Education

In recognition of their work developing online, credit-bearing English-as-a-Second-Language courses at the University of Oregon, they are the 2019 recipients of the Herman Award for Outstanding Online Education.

Meet the team