Teaching Awards
Liberty University Teaching Awards
Teacher Appreciation Grams (TAGs)
Students will be able to recognize faculty’s dedication and hard work via Teacher Appreciation Grams. Look for a residential campus-wide campaign that inspires students to send a message of encouragement to their professors. CTE will gather the messages and distribute hard copies as traditional-looking telegrams to the professor recipients – thank you for all you do!
The President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (PAET)
The purpose of the PAET award is to recognize teachers who have promoted significant student learning- evidenced by creative and innovative approaches to teaching, the effective use of instructional technology, and exceptional pedagogical skill. Additionally, their impact on student faith, thought, and character fully realizes Dr. Falwell’s vision of training leaders in all discipline areas. The award process involves a formal peer nomination, dean support, faculty input, and student contribution. Winners are determined by the Selection Committee and affirmed by the Provost. Faculty, Instructional Mentors, and other peers who have direct knowledge of a nominee’s qualifications and experience in demonstrating excellence in teaching may nominate a deserving full-time faculty member in the following categories: Undergraduate and Graduate.
Award Winners
Faculty members each year are recognized from undergraduate and graduate, residential and online programs. The award comes with a monetary prize, as well as recognition at commencement.
Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Winners!
Liberty University Undergraduate
- Crystal Passburg, School of Health Sciences
- David Schweitzer, College of Arts and Sciences
Liberty University Graduate
- Andrew Walker, College of Arts and Sciences
- James Zabloski, School of Divinity
- Melissa Stewart, Helms School of Government
Congratulations to all of our previous winners.
2021-22
2020-21
2019-20
2018-19
2017-18
2016-17
2015-16
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
2011-12
2010-11
CTE Director’s Award for New Faculty Mentoring (NFM Award)
In order to recognize seasoned faculty mentors’ extraordinary dedication to supporting newly onboarded colleagues, up to three veteran mentors participating in the Koinonia Mentoring Program of first-year, full-time faculty will be recognized with an award as New Faculty Mentors of the year. Mentors meet monthly with their mentees, offering advice, support, and encouragement to new faculty members. NFM recipients are selected based on mentee nominations, length of service, and scores on a Mentor Evaluation Rubric.
2021-22
2020-21
CTE Faculty Fellow Program
As part of its commitment to best practices, the Center for Teaching Excellence seeks Faculty Fellows to draw upon their talents. Many CTE Faculty Fellows are past winners of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. The CTE Faculty Fellow role is an opportunity for distinguished faculty to become featured speakers at CTE’s January Conference and during semester workshops. Additionally, Faculty Fellows are recognized at various events throughout the academic year. This program involves a competitive application process.
Meet our 2023-24 Faculty Fellows:
Dr. David Schweitzer
Professor, Mathematics
College of Arts & Sciences
David Schweitzer was a 2023 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and a 2020 recipient of the Provost’s Award for Excellence in Research Mentorship. Holding a Master’s in Mathematics from the University of Houston and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University, he serves as a Professor of Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences and as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Engineering. Schweitzer is invested in the integration of math and technology, developing software tools to aid mathematical expression in various learning environments. He is the Program Director for Liberty’s Applied Mathematics and Statistics Degree, where he develops curriculum and serves as an advisor to the Actuarial Club, actively contributing to and managing the club’s resources. We are honored to have Dr. Schweitzer as our 2023-24 CTE Faculty Fellow.
Dr. Brad Burgess
Associate Professor, Department Chair
College of Applied Studies and Academic Success
Brad Burgess serves as the Department Chair for the College of Applied Studies and Academic Success (CASAS). He holds a Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty University, a Master of Business Administration from Liberty University, and a Doctor of Education from Grand Canyon University. He currently works on the Faculty Hiring Committee, the Faculty Senate, and the Undergraduate Administrative and Curriculum Committee (UACC). In addition, he is the co-advisor for Omega Nu Lambda National Honor Society. He has been a part of Liberty for 19 years. We are honored to have Dr. Burgess as our 2023-24 CTE Faculty Fellow.
2022-23
Dr. Travis Holt2021-22
Dr. Stephen Bell
Dr. Cindy Goodrich2020-21
Other Teaching Awards
- Mathematics
- Research, Scholarship, Admin
- Engineering, Technology
- Mentoring, Other
- Sciences
- Intercultural, International
- Psychology, Counseling, Statistics
- Teaching
Engineering, Technology
- ASEE Honorary Membership
ASEE Honorary Membership may be granted for eminent and distinguished service to mankind in education, whether engineering, engineering technology or allied fields
- ASEE President’s Award
Recognizes organizations that make the best use of print, broadcast, or electronic media to (a) encourage K-12 students to enter engineering schools and pursue engineering careers and/or (b) influence public opinion and create recognition of the critical role that engineering plays in today’s technology-driven society.
- ASEE Lifetime Achievement Award in Engineering Education
Recognizes individuals who have retired or who are near the ends of their careers for sustained contributions to education in the fields of engineering and/or engineering technology.
- Benjamin Garver Lamme Award
Bestowed upon a distinguished engineering educator for contributions to the art of teaching, contributions to research and technical literature and achievements that contribute to the advancement of the profession of engineering college administration.
- Chester F. Carlson Award
Presented annually to an individual innovator in engineering education who, by motivation and ability to extend beyond the accepted tradition, has made a significant contribution to the profession.
- Curtis W. McGraw Research Award
Recognizes outstanding early achievements by young engineering college research workers.
- Clement J. Freund Award
Honors an individual in business, industry, government or education who has made a significant positive impact on cooperative education programs in engineering and engineering technology.
- Donald E. Marlowe Award
This award is the highest ASEE award for service to education for engineering and engineering technology and allied fields. It is given for highly significant contributions made by individuals.
- Distinguished Service Citation
In recognition of long, continuous and distinguished service to education in engineering and engineering technology through active participation in the work of ASEE.
- DuPont Minorities in Engineering Award
Conferred for outstanding achievements by an engineering or engineering technology educator in increasing student diversity within engineering and engineering technology programs.
- Fellow Grade Membership
Conferred upon active members of ASEE, who have been a member in any grade for at least 10 years, in recognition of outstanding contributions to engineering or engineering technology education.
Recognizes an engineering educator for excellence in teaching of engineering design and acknowledges other significant contributions related to engineering design teaching.
- Frederick J. Berger Award
Recognizes and encourages both programmatic and individual excellence in engineering technology education.
- Frederick Emmons Terman Award
Bestowed annually upon an outstanding young electrical/computer engineering educator in recognition of the educator’s contributions to the profession.
- Isadore T. Davis Award for Excellence in Collaboration of Engineering Education and Industry
An individual or team who has achieved excellence in collaboration between engineering or engineering technology education and industry will be considered for this award.
- Glenn Murphy Award
Made annually to a distinguished nuclear engineering educator in recognition of notable professional contributions to the teaching of undergraduate and/or graduate nuclear engineering students.
- James H. McGraw Award
Recognizes outstanding service in engineering technology education.
Bestowed annually upon an outstanding aerospace engineering educator in recognition of the educator’s contributions to the profession.
- John L. Imhoff Global Excellence Award for Industrial Engineering Education
Recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions in the field of industrial engineering education and has demonstrated global cooperation and understanding through leadership and other initiatives.
- Meriam/Wiley Distinguished Author Award
Given for work that contributes to the advancement of technical and professional competence at the undergraduate or graduate level.
Committed to excellence in the instruction of engineering and engineering technology students and annually recognizes an outstanding engineering or engineering technology teacher from the section.
- National Engineering Economy Teaching Excellence Award
Recognizes an individual who has demonstrated classroom teaching excellence and teaching scholarship in engineering economy.
- National Outstanding Teaching Medal
Teachers of any subject included in an ABET accredited engineering or engineering technology curriculum, including faculty teaching parallel courses at two-year or community colleges, are eligible.
- Ralph Coats Roe Award
Recognizes a mechanical engineering educator who is an outstanding teacher and who has made the following notable professional contributions:
- Sharon Keillor Award for Women in Engineering Education
Recognizes and honors outstanding women engineering educators.
- Section Outstanding Teaching Award
Focuses on outstanding classroom performance, recognizes teachers of engineering and engineering technology students and serves as an incentive to make further significant contributions to teaching.
Recognizes the author(s) of the best paper published in the Journal of Engineering Education.
This award is the highest award for service to education for engineering and engineering technology and allied fields. It is given for highly significant contributions made by individuals.
Intercultural, International
Given to the best paper or article of the year on intergroup relations.
- John L. Imhoff Global Excellence Award for Industrial Engineering Education
Recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions in the field of industrial engineering education and has demonstrated global cooperation and understanding through leadership and other initiatives.
Given to the best paper or article of the year on intercultural or international relations.
Mathematics
- Association For Women in Mathematics Travel Grants
Enabling women mathematicians to attend conferences in their fields provides them with a valuable opportunity to advance their research activities and their visibility in the research community.
- Association for Women in Mathematics Mentoring Travel Grants
Helps junior women to develop a long-term working and mentoring relationship with a senior mathematician.
Mentoring, Other
- Association for Women in Mathematics Mentoring Travel Grants
Helps junior women to develop a long-term working and mentoring relationship with a senior mathematician.
Recognizes a distinguished first book by a member of CAMWS. (Nominations for the 2013 award are now closed)
Awarded to a member who teaches classical subjects at a college or university. (Nomination deadline is Friday, December 14, 2012)
Psychology, Counseling, Statistics
Members of established reputation who have made outstanding contributions in some aspect of statistical work.
- Gottfried E. Noether Awards
Presented to a distinguished senior researcher or teacher in nonparametric statistics. The Noether Young Scholar Award is presented to an accomplished young researcher to promote research and teaching in nonparametric statistics.
Recognizes teaching excellence in psychology for early career practitioners.
Presented annually for outstanding contributions to the development and integration of psychological research and social action.
- Outstanding Teaching & Mentoring Awards (Graduate and Undergraduate)
For outstanding teaching/mentoring in areas related to the psychological study of social issues.
- Outstanding Statistical Application Award
Recognizes a paper that is an outstanding application of statistics in any substantive field.
Sponsored by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement & Support of Education.
- Samuel S. Wilks Memorial Award
Established to honor the memory and distinguished career of Samuel S. Wilks by recognizing outstanding contributions to statistics.
For doctoral dissertations in psychology (or in a social science with psychological subject matter).
- Statistics in Chemistry Award
Recognizes outstanding collaborative efforts between statisticians and chemists.
Research, Scholarship, Administrative
- Association For Women in Mathematics Travel Grants
Enabling women mathematicians to attend conferences in their fields provides them with a valuable opportunity to advance their research activities and their visibility in the research community.
Presented to the first author of a notable paper in biogeosciences that was published between January of the previous year and May of the current year.
Recognizes contributions to social issues researchers have made to the field early in their careers.
Awarded in recognition of early career excellence in scholarship as well as in service.
Bestowed annually upon those ASEE Campus Representatives who have demonstrated staunch support for ASEE on their campuses.
Sciences
ASM’s premier award for sustained contributions to the microbiological sciences.
Honors a distinguished scientist in the field of clinical or diagnostic immunology.
Recognizes an individual whose career has been marked with outstanding contributions to the life sciences.
Honors excellence in the practice and promotion of effective, innovative teaching in biology.
Awarded for excellence in teaching plant biology.
Made triennially to a scientist or layperson in recognition of outstanding service to the science of plant biology.
Provides life membership and Society publications to distinguished plant biologists from outside the US.
Honors a clinical microbiologist for research accomplishments leading to or forming the foundation for important applications in clinical microbiology.
Recognizes a microbiologist for the promotion of innovation in clinical laboratory science, dedication to ASM, and the advancement of clinical microbiology as a profession.
The award recipient is required to be a practicing educator who is also enrolled in a graduate program.
Given by the American Society of Plant Biologists to recognize young researchers.
Recognizes excellence in the field of photosynthesis.
Annual award for meritorious work in plant biology.
Recognizes a mature individual for distinguished teaching of undergraduate microbiology.
ASM’s premier award in antimicrobial research.
Recognizes distinguished accomplishments in interdisciplinary research and mentoring in microbiology.
This award is for outstanding plant research in support of agriculture
Recognizes outstanding achievement in teaching undergraduate physics with innovative teaching methods
Recognizes demonstrated excellence in outreach, public service, mentoring, or teaching by plant scientists at the beginning of their careers.
Given to a distinguished ecologist who has made exceptional contributions to ecology and whose principal residence and site of ecological research are outside of North America.
Recognizes an ecologist for outstanding work in ecology education.
Recognition of excellence in teaching, leadership in curricular development, or authorship of effective teaching materials in the science of plant biology.
Granted in recognition of distinguished and long-term contributions to plant biology and service to the Society.
Honors a four-year college & university faculty member who demonstrates creativity and innovation in teaching.
Honors a four-year college faculty member for his/her recent contribution to research on teaching biology at the college level.
Honors a distinguished microbiologist who has exhibited exemplary leadership and service in the field of public health.
Given for an outstanding ecological research paper published by a younger researcher (the lead author must be 40 years of age or younger at the time of publication).
Honors a distinguished microbiologist who has exhibited exemplary leadership in the international microbiological community.
Presented to physicists and physics educators who made outstanding contributions to curriculum development, mentorship, and/ or classroom teaching in graduate physics education.
Made to a plant scientist whose work illuminates the present and suggests paths to enlighten the future.
Presented to one who has pioneered advances that have served to establish new directions of investigation in the plant sciences.
Awarded for excellence in teaching biology.
Sponsored by: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sponsored by the Society for College Science Teachers
Recognizes distinguished achievement in research and development in applied (non-clinical) and environmental microbiology.
Recognizes outstanding contributions in providing and promoting excellence in experimentation and laboratory instruction, consists of a $5,000 honorarium and an inscribed plaque.
Recognizes post docs and faculty-level early-career scientists, who have made excellent contributions in the area of bioenergy research.
Recognizes an undergraduate college biology instructor who has demonstrated outstanding and creative teaching of biotechnology.
- Statistics in Chemistry Award
Recognizes outstanding collaborative efforts between statisticians and chemists.
Established for a scientist who has served the science of plant biology.
Given to the authors of a scholarly work that makes the greatest contribution to the emerging science of ecosystem and regional sustainability through the integration of ecological and social sciences.
Recognizes outstanding efforts by a scientist who has demonstrated the importance of microbial biodiversity through sustained curatorial or stewardship activities for a major resource used by the scientific community.
Honors contributions for research and training of minorities in microbiology.
- W. J. Youden Award in Interlaboratory Testing
Recognizes publications that make outstanding contributions to the design and/or analysis of interlaboratory tests or describe ingenious approaches to the planning and evaluation of data from tests.
Teaching
- Council for Advancement and Support of Education U.S. Professor of the Year celebrates outstanding instructors around the country.
- CAMWS Award for Excellence in College Teaching
Awarded to a member who teaches classical subjects at a college or university.
Made for exceptionally creative, independent contributions by a member of the Society who is not more than five years post-Ph.D.
Recognition of excellence in teaching, leadership in curricular development, or authorship of effective teaching materials in the science of plant biology.
- Fulbright Awards
Sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Fulbright Awards recognize and encourage excellence in teaching in the U.S. and abroad.
Sponsored by: National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture
- U.S. Professor of the Year
Sponsored by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement & Support of Education.
- Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching Sponsored by Baylor University and is designed to honor great teachers.