This award aims to recognize the exemplary teaching efforts of the University's outstanding Adjunct Faculty members. Faculty members nominated for consideration for the award shall have demonstrated a record of superior accomplishment in the instructional mission of the institution.
Eligibility
- Nominees must be Adjunct Faculty members who are currently teaching at Old Dominion University. Individuals serving in a full-time academic position at the University are not eligible for this award.
- Have been employed by the University as an Adjunct Faculty member for at least the last three years.
- Have taught a minimum of two courses per year.
- Have a record of superior accomplishment in teaching.
Nomination Process & Schedule
ONLY ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Nominations should be submitted directly to the respective department/school chair/director no later than January 15, 2027. Please allow department/school chairs/directors sufficient time to work with the nominee to prepare a complete packet in advance of the deadline for chairs to submit materials to their Dean. Typically, at least two weeks should be allowed for this process.
Deans must forward nomination packets (with their endorsement) to the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives by February 12, 2027. Nomination packets must be submitted electronically and emailed to viceprovostforfacultyaffairs@odu.edu. Nomination packets not submitted electronically will not be accepted for review.
The University Distinguished Teacher Committee will review the college nominations and recommend an award winner to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs by March 5, 2027.
Schedule
| DATE | ACTION |
|---|---|
| January 15, 2027 | Nomination(s) are due to the department/school chair/director. |
| January 29, 2027 | Chair/director's nomination(s) are due to the dean. |
| February 12, 2027 | Dean submits nomination packet(s) to the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives via email (viceprovostforfacultyaffairs@odu.edu). |
| February 16, 2027 | The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives uploads the nomination packet(s) to the designated SharePoint site and notifies the University Distinguished Teacher Committee. |
| March 5, 2027 | The University Distinguished Teacher Committee recommendation(s) are due to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives. |
| March 30, 2027 | The Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs names the award winner(s). |
Nomination Packet Shall Include:
- A personal statement by the person nominated describing general teaching philosophy (maximum two double-spaced pages).
- Curriculum vitae with priority given to activities and awards that focus on teaching (maximum two double-spaced pages).
- A teaching log listing the courses taught in the last three years with the number of students enrolled in each course.
- The nominee's most recent teaching portfolio review.
- Student opinion surveys for the last three years (including both quantitative scores and written comments).
- Grade distribution reports for the last three years.
- Three letters of support, with at least one written by a former student who has graduated from the University and one from the nominee's department/school chair/director. All letters should be solicited by and sent to the nominating dean (or their designee), not the nominee.
Award & Presentation
The award recipient is recognized at the annual Monarch Milestone Celebration Dinner The award recipient receives a one-time award of $1,000 in recognition of this achievement.
Past Award Winners
Kathie Zimbro
Advanced Practice Nursing
Michael Conner
STEM Education & Professional Studies
Yiu Lung Cheng
Information Technology & Decision Sciences
Joyce Strain
Ocean and Earth Sciences
Alan Campbell
Communication and Theatre Arts
Darrellyn Dee Hamlet
STEM Education and Professional Studies
Aaron Nachtigal
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Paul Leccese
Sociology and Criminal Justice
David Carney
Accountancy
Kathie Zimbro
Advanced Practice Nursing
Michael Conner
STEM Education & Professional Studies
Yiu Lung Cheng
Information Technology & Decision Sciences
Joyce Strain
Ocean and Earth Sciences
Alan Campbell
Communication and Theatre Arts
Darrellyn Dee Hamlet
STEM Education and Professional Studies
Aaron Nachtigal
Philosophy and Religious Studies
Paul Leccese
Sociology and Criminal Justice
David Carney
Accountancy