Jefferson Scholars Foundation Awards More Than $80,000 to Outstanding UVA Faculty

People sitting in chairs clapping

Faculty present at Friday’s awards ceremony applaud their colleagues as the prizes are distributed.

Nine University of Virginia faculty members across eight academic departments were recognized Friday for their exceptional commitment to classroom teaching at an awards ceremony at the Jefferson Scholars Foundation.

The foundation, which has long provided scholarships for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, continues to expand its efforts to recognize excellence at the University. Over the last 10 years, the foundation has established three different faculty award programs. To date, nearly $400,000 has been awarded to approximately 40 faculty members in the College of Arts & Sciences, the Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy, the McIntire School of Commerce, the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Medicine.

The nine recipients of the 2015 awards received more than $80,000 in awards.

“These awards are a token of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation’s appreciation for all that UVA faculty do to keep the learning experience an invigorating one, not just for the Jefferson Scholars and Fellows, but for the University’s entire student body,” Jimmy Wright, the foundation’s president, said.

Michael Timko, professor of biology and director of the Echols Scholars Program, received the Jefferson Scholars Foundation Faculty Prize, which is voted on by Jefferson Scholar alumni and celebrates a faculty member’s commitment to leadership, scholarship and citizenship – the same criteria used in the selection of Jefferson Scholars.

Five members of the Engineering School faculty received Hartfield Teaching Prizes. Each year, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation invites students and faculty to nominate members of the faculty who exemplify the highest standards and practices of learning.

This year’s winners are: John C. Bean, professor of electrical and computer engineering; Michael E. Gorman, professor of science, technology and society; James F. Groves, associate professor of materials science & engineering; Donald A. Jordan, lecturer in mechanical and aerospace engineering; and Gregory C. Lewin, lecturer on systems & information engineering.

Three faculty members received the Award for Excellence in Teaching, which recognizes faculty members who have endeavored selflessly to instill in their students the virtues of scholarship and love of learning. The foundation invited department chairs from across the University to nominate full-time faculty members for this award.

This year’s winners are: Ira R. Bashkow, associate professor of anthropology; Daniel T. Devereux, professor of ancient philosophy and metaphysics; and William J. Kehoe, professor of commerce.

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