TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-COMMERCE
PROCEDURES

12.99.99.R0.03           Faculty Awards System
                                    Effective February 15, 2000
                                    Revised February 21, 2006
                                    Revised July 2, 2007

1.  REGENTS PROFESSOR SERVICE AWARD
Supplements System Guidelines http://tamusystem.tamu.edu/offices/academic/awards/guidelines/RPAGuidelines2006-2007.pdf

Purpose: The purpose of the Texas A&M University System (A&M System) Award is to honor individuals at the rank of professor or equivalent who have provided exemplary service as faculty members not only to their university or agency, but also to the community, the State of Texas, and/or the nation, and/or the international level.

Award: Regents Professor is nominated by Texas A&M University-Commerce to The Texas A&M University System Office every three years on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce. Procedures for nomination are based on the A&M System’s guidelines and criteria. Recipients are designated as “Regents Professor,” and retain the title for the duration of their service within the A&M System. An amount of three thousand dollars ($3,000) is awarded for three consecutive years, for a total of nine thousand dollars ($9,000) as a non-base award. The Regents Professor shall be given a special medallion bearing the seal of the system, (suspended on a ribbon carrying System colors), as well as an inscribed plaque.  In the event that the Awards Committee determines that none of the nominees meet the high standards for this award, nominees will be called for the following year.

Eligibility: A nominee must submit a written professional portfolio addressing each of the following issues, which encompass the criteria used to make the selection.

• Be a faculty member with the rank of professor for a minimum of five years at a System university or agency.
• Have a distinguished record of service both at the local and state, and/or national, and/or international levels.
• Have an outstanding record of teaching, combined with accomplishments in research or other creative or scholarly activity.
• Give evidence of the potential for continuation of distinguished service.
• Be a full-time faculty member (may include department heads).
• Have demonstrated a sincere commitment to the university or agency.

2.  WILLIAM L. MAYO PROFESSORSHIP AWARD
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.”

Award: The William L. Mayo Professor is selected every third year (beginning from October, 1997). A cash stipend is awarded each of the three years in the amount of $2,500. A special medallion and also a plaque with the seal of the University and Professor Mayo’s motto inscribed on it accompany the award. The William L. Mayo Professorship is the ultimate award granted from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and is intended to highlight an exemplary career in teaching, scholarship, and service.  In the event that the Awards Committee determines that none of the nominees meet the high standards for this award, nominees will be called for the following year.

Eligibility: A nominee must submit a written professional portfolio addressing each of the following issues, which encompass the criteria used to make the selection.

• Be a tenured faculty member, with the rank of professor.
• Be a full-time faculty member not on administrative appointment.
• Have a distinguished record of teaching, combined with accomplishment in research or other creative or scholarly activity.
• Give evidence of the potential for continuation of distinguished service.
• Have demonstrated a sincere commitment to the University.

3.  PAUL W. BARRUS DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD FOR TEACHING
Purpose: The purpose of the Paul W. Barrus Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching is to provide recognition and monetary award for individuals who have performed in an outstanding manner in teaching.

Award: The Paul W. Barrus Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching is awarded every year. Up to three awards per year may be given. A cash stipend of $1,000 and a plaque are given to each recipient. This award is usually given in the spring semester at a Faculty Awards event.

Eligibility: A nominee must submit a written professional portfolio addressing each of the following issues, which encompass the criteria used to make the selection.

• Should be tenure-track, non-administrative position.
• Elaborate on personal teaching style or styles.
• Present personal philosophy and goals of college teaching.
• Demonstrate effective pedagogical or curriculum innovation.
• Present information detailing his or her preparation for the classroom.
• Provide evidence of rapport with students.
• Present his or her methods of and attitudes toward evaluation of students.

4.  H.M. LAFFERTY DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD FOR SCHOLARSHIP AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY
Purpose: The purpose of the H.M. Lafferty Distinguished Faculty Award for Scholarship and creative activity is to provide recognition and monetary award for an individual who has performed in an outstanding manner in scholarship and/or creative activity.

Award: The H.M. Lafferty Distinguished Faculty Award for Scholarship and Creative Activity is awarded every year. One award is given each year. A cash stipend of $1,000 and a plaque are given to the recipient. This award is usually given in the spring semester at a Faculty Awards event.

Eligibility: A nominee must submit a written professional portfolio addressing each of the following issues, which encompass the criteria used to make the selection.

• Should be tenure-track, non-administrative.
• Present evidence of research activity, scholarly publications, presentations and/or creative activities by providing the committee with copies of all publications (books, chapters in books, articles, etc.).
• Describe writing, research, or creative activity not published or publicly presented during the period of this report.
• Describe involvement in other significant professional activities such as informal service rendered in support of departmental or interdepartmental goals, writing proposals, serving on Texas Education Agency committees, etc.
• List membership in professional organizations (including offices held), and describe involvement in these professional activities.
• Describe and document involvement in the development of courses and /or programs.
• List membership and chairmanship of all graduate student committee assignments, specifying the name of the student, the level of the student, and his/her stage in the program. Please indicate direction or advisement of theses and/or dissertations where applicable.

5.  NEILL HUMFELD DISTINGUISHED FACULTY AWARD FOR SERVICE
Purpose: The purpose of the Neill Humfeld Distinguished Faculty Award for Service is to provide recognition and monetary award for an individual who has performed in an outstanding manner in service to the university, his or her particular college and department.

Award: The Neill Humfeld Distinguished Faculty Award for Service is awarded every year. One award is given each year. A cash stipend of $1,000 and a plaque are given to the recipient. This award is usually given in the spring semester at a Faculty Awards event.

Eligibility: A nominee must submit a written professional portfolio addressing each of the following issues, which encompass the criteria used to make the selection.

• Should be tenure-track, non-administrative position.
• List roles in university, college, and/or departmental committees.
• Describe involvement in other significant activities (i.e., service rendered to organizations outside the university, sponsoring student organizations, etc.).
• Describe involvement in the development of courses and/or programs.
• List membership and chairmanship of committee assignments.
• List membership in professional associations and describe involvement.
• Describe involvement in field and community service activities.
• Provide evidence of any other contributions.

6.  PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Purpose: The purpose of this award is to recognize employees who have distinguished themselves through outstanding achievement in the performance of professional duties. Professional duties include, but are not limited to, teaching, advising, productivity, and innovative methodology for job performance. This award was established to be given for a single outstanding achievement or for cumulative effort on the part of the individual.

Award: The Professional Achievement Award is awarded in the fall, usually during the fall faculty and staff meeting. Any employee may be awarded the award. The award is given in recognition that the recipient has gone beyond his or her expected duties to accomplish a task(s). The recipient is awarded a plaque and $100.

Eligibility: Those nominating an individual for the Professional Achievement Award must provide the following information, which serves as the basis for the selection criteria.

• Provide evidence of activities or efforts that extend beyond the normal job requirements.

7.  MINNIE STEVENS PIPER FOUNDATION NOMINEE
Purpose: The purpose of this award is to give recognition to the teaching profession rather than to research, publication, administration, or other such related activity, although these criteria are also considered by the Faculty Senate Awards Committee on campus and the foundation. The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation honors fifteen Texas professors during the academic year for their dedication to the teaching profession and for their outstanding academic, scientific and scholarly achievement. Texas A&M University-Commerce is allowed to nominate one professor (the number of professors any university is permitted to nominate is based on the student body enrollment).

Award: If selected by the foundation the recipient is awarded a certificate naming him or her “Piper Professor of said year,” receives an honorarium of $5,000.00, and a gold commemorative pin.

Eligibility: The individual selected through the university’s process must then complete the Piper Professor Nomination form. The Faculty Senate Awards Committee evaluates the information that is to be sent to the foundation for its selection. A nominee must submit a written professional portfolio addressing each of the following issues, which encompass the criteria used to make the selection.

• Provide description of current duties (i.e., teaching, administrative duties if any, thesis or dissertation directing) and approximate number of hours devoted thereto.
• Identify student organizations, etc. sponsored by nominee.
• Identify membership in honor and professional societies and identify special awards/grants received.
• Detail description of service to off-campus community.
• Describe effective and dedicated teaching, comparing the nominee to other members of the faculty.
• List publications.
• Present statement of purpose for teaching.
• Present highlights of teaching career.

8.  NISOD AWARD - NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD
Purpose: The purpose of the NISOD Award is to recognize excellence in teaching and leadership throughout the United States.

Award: The NISOD Award is given to those individuals selected by their respective schools through the NISOD organizational office. Those individuals selected by the Faculty Senate Awards Committee are honored with a medallion and showcased during the annual statewide conference, generally in March.

Eligibility: The nominator must submit a letter detailing the areas or activities, which indicate why the nominee should be recognized as having achieved excellence in teaching and leadership.

• Only Heads of Departments may nominate individuals for this award.
• The qualifications as demonstrated by the nominee must be identified by the nominator.
• Letters or material for support must be detailed.

References: New February 2000; Procedure A12.27; Piper Professor Program criteria; NISOD Awards criteria; Faculty Senate Meeting February 7, 2006.

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