12.99.99.R0.02 William L. Mayo Professor Award
Effective September 1, 1996
Revised April 14, 1997
Revised November 9, 2004

1. Purpose

The purpose of the William L. Mayo Professorship award is to provide recognition to an individual who epitomizes the goals of Professor Mayo’s motto: “Ceaseless Industry, Fearless Investigation, Unfettered Thought.” This award will be presented to a person currently at the rank of professor who has performed in an outstanding manner, primarily in teaching, but also in scholarship and service to the university community.

2. Award

A William L. Mayo Professor will be selected every third year, unless a meritorious faculty member is not identified. The award will consist of the following:

a. The recipient will be designated as "Mayo Professor." Professors so designated shall retain the title of "Mayo Professor" for the duration of their service at the university, unless it should be withdrawn by the president for cause.

b. An amount of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500) will be awarded each of three years, for a total of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7500).

c. The Mayo Professor shall be given a special medallion and a plaque, with the seal of the university and Professor Mayo’s motto inscribed on each.

3. Eligibility

To be eligible for the award, an individual must meet the following requirements:

a. be a tenured faculty member, with the rank of professor,

b. have a distinguished record of teaching, combined with accomplishments in research or other creative or scholarly activity,

c. give evidence of the potential for continuation of distinguished service,

d. be a full-time faculty member not on administrative appointment,

e. have demonstrated a sincere commitment to the university,

f. be presented to the Faculty Senate by the president of the university for consideration under special circumstances; candidates offered under special consideration would not replace regular faculty selectees, but would be designated in addition to regular faculty selectees.

4. Selection Procedures

The Faculty Senate Awards Committee will issue a general call for nominations for Mayo Professor every third year. From those nominations, and based on the nominating letters, committee members will select a limited number of nominees from whom they will request selection materials. The committee will review the materials and make a recommendation to the Faculty Senate. Following a vote by the Faculty Senate, a recommendation will be forwarded to the president of the university. The president, with input from the provost and vice president for academic and student affairs, Deans Council, and nominee’s dean and department head, will give the final approval of the William L. Mayo Professor Award.

5. Evaluation Materials

Because the Mayo Professorship is the ultimate award from the university to highlight an exemplary career in teaching, scholarship, and service, the packet assembled for review should offer a distillation of the best of the nominee's career. Therefore, each selected nominee should submit a portfolio including, but not limited to, the suggested materials in each of the following areas:

a. Teaching:

Teaching materials may include:

(1) letters from former students.

(2) a narrative covering courses developed, touching upon such areas as philosophy of teaching, course content, teaching methodology, and other appropriate material.

(3) student evaluations, to include a summary of representative courses from his/her career (both graduate and undergraduate courses). If the nominee teaches at only one level, that fact should be noted.

(4) letters of support from peers.

b. Scholarship:

Nominees should include a selection of the best work in research or other creative or scholarly activity. While articles are not required, they may be submitted as representative selections. Books should be summarized, but not included.

c. Service:

Nominees should give a summary of university, college, and department service activities, stressing activities of particular significance.

Nominees are invited to submit any other materials in support of their nominations.

6. Special Recognition

The Mayo Professor shall be recognized at a formal university convocation to be held in the fall semester at a date chosen by the Faculty Senate, in consultation with the president of the university. The new Mayo Professor shall serve as the convocation speaker.

7. Special Assignment

Because Mayo Professors are identified as being the best instructors in the university, they should be accessible to members of the student body who wish to avail themselves of these professors' courses. Those chosen as Mayo Professors should be required, during the first three years of this designation, to teach at least one introductory or entry level course. A capstone course may be substituted. In cases where such instruction presents an undue hardship, service activities may be substituted.

8. Eligibility for Other Awards

During the first three year period, a William L. Mayo Professor will not be eligible for nomination to other internal awards by the university.

References: Prior ETSU Policies II N 7.1 and B-3 approved July 13, 1988; revised October 3, 1995 and April 14, 1997; Procedure A12.26

CONTACT FOR INTERPRETATION: Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs