Jefferson Scholars Foundation Awards $20,000 to Outstanding UVA Faculty Members

The Jefferson Scholars Foundation at the University of Virginia has announced the winners of its 2020-21 faculty awards. Four UVA faculty members were selected by their peers for their exceptional teaching and received awards totaling $20,000.

This year, three faculty members received the foundation’s 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 winners were: Jennifer Pease, associate professor of education in the School of Education and Human Development; Mark Whittle, professor of astronomy in the College of Arts & Sciences; and Michael Wormington, associate professor of biology in the College.

One faculty member in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, Gaurav Giri, assistant professor of chemical engineering, received the Hartfield Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes engineering faculty members “who exemplify the highest standards and practices of learning.” 

“All full-time faculty at the University are eligible to be nominated for the Award for Excellence in Teaching, and full-time faculty within the School of Engineering & Applied Science are eligible for the Hartfield Award,” Jimmy Wright, president of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, said. “This year’s recipients were nominated by their department chairs and ultimately selected by a faculty panel of former award winners.”

Over the past 10 years, the Jefferson Scholars Foundation has awarded more than $520,000 to approximately 65 UVA faculty members from across the University.