Academic Affairs

The annual call for nominations (Nomination Guidelines) goes out in the Fall and nominations are reviewed by a Faculty Awards Committee. Recommendations for awards are made to the University Senate and forwarded to the President of the University. The President announces the recipients to the campus community. Recipients of the awards will have the opportunity to engage with the campus community by giving a public lecture or performance or a different activity of their choosing. The awards carry a stipend, the amount of which is determined by the Office of the President. 

Since 1964, HSU has honored a member of the faculty with the Outstanding Professor Award. In 1986, the campus added the Scholar of the Year Award. In Spring, 2009, the Academic Senate revised the awards process (Resolution #16-08/09-FA (Revised)), increasing the number of awards to the following five:

Excellence in Teaching Award – Lecturer

One of two awards for “Excellence in Teaching,” this award is given for a record of “superlative teaching at Humboldt State University.” Nominees have been teaching faculty for at least seven (7) years at HSU. In cases where nominees are perceived as equally superlative in their teaching, contributions to research, scholarship, and service may be considered, insofar as these activities bear direct relevance to the nominee's primary role as educator.

Excellence in Teaching Award – Tenure-Line

One of two awards for “Excellence in Teaching,” this award is given for a record of “superlative teaching at Humboldt State University.” Nominees have been teaching faculty for at least seven (7) years at HSU and are on a tenure-track. In cases where nominees are perceived as equally superlative in their teaching, contributions to research, scholarship, and service may be considered, insofar as these activities bear direct relevance to the nominee's primary role as educator.

The Scholar of the Year Award is conferred on a yearly basis to a member of the HSU faculty for a record of superlative research, creative activities, and/or scholarship. No amount of teaching achievement or service to campus, community, or profession, shall substitute for this essential requirement. In cases where nominees are perceived to be equally superlative in their scholarship and creative activities, contributions to teaching and service may be considered insofar as these activities bear direct relevance to the nominee's primary role as scholar.

The Outstanding Service Award is conferred on an occasional basis, as appropriate, on a member of the HSU faculty for a record of superlative service to the university and/or community. In cases where nominees are perceived as equally superlative in their service activities, contributions to teaching and research and creative activites may be considered, insofar as these activities bear direct relevance to the nominee's primary role serving the university and community.

The Outstanding Professor Award is conferred on a uniquely outstanding member of the HSU faculty for either 1) a long and continuous combined record of superlative teaching, research and creative activities, and service to the university and/or community (demonstrating this superlative performance in at least two of the three areas), or 2) a unique and singularly notable contribution in any of the three areas that has resulted in the significant betterment of humankind.