Founders Day Faculty Awards Celebration on February 17, 2026 8:30 am, Inspiration Hall

On behalf of the selection committees, the Provost is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the awards listed below. Awards will be presented to one person in each award category (except where specifically outlined in the award description/criteria). 

Please review each award description, click on the award nomination portal and submit your nomination based on the criteria listed for each award. Any additional materials needed from the nominees will be requested directly by the evaluation committee.

We greatly appreciate the time and effort in recognizing your peers and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Provost's Office at 994-4373.

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Strong interpersonal skills that include a caring, helpful, attitude toward advisees and faculty.
  • Commitment to engage in developmental advising as compared to prescriptive advising.
  • Skill in guiding and supporting the student's journey and academic development.
  • Reliable and consistent availability to advisees.
  • Support for student progress towards graduation and career goals.
  • Demonstrated outreach and initiatives to support student success.
  • Multiple nominations may be submitted. One faculty advisor award may be given.

Full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Academic Award should be directed to David Downs, Advising Commons at david.downs1@montana.edu or 994-3532.)

 Three awards may be presented as the selection committee evaluates nominees on the following criteria:

Selection Criteria for Award 1

  1. Impact of a single, especially significant research achievement or a recent body of significant research work, either of which should be the product of extensive, mature research activity. Research focus is the physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, biomedical health sciences or related fields. 
  2. Typically, the nominee will be someone who has attained the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
  3. The nominee for the Wiley Award shall have no role in the nominating process.

Selection Criteria for Award 2

  1. Impact of a single, especially significant research achievement or a recent body of significant research work, either of which should be the product of extensive, mature research activity.  Research focus is the humanities, arts and social sciences.
  2. Typically, the nominee will be someone who has attained the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

       3. The nominee for the Wiley Award shall have no role in the nominating process.

Selection Criteria for Award 3

  1. Impact of a single, especially significant research achievement or a recent body of significant research work, either of which should be the product of extensive, mature research activity.  Research is focused on the development of professionals, as in nursing and health, education, and business. 
  2. Typically, the nominee will be someone who has attained the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
  3. The nominee for the Wiley Award shall have no role in the nominating process.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Wiley Award should be should be directed to Mai Allen, Office of Research and Economic Development, 994-2891or mai.allen@montana.edu) 

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Substantial record of scholarship and teaching.
  • Faculty member's demonstrable union of superior research with excellence in upper division/graduate instruction.
  • Any Montana State University-Bozeman faculty member or academic administrator may nominate a faculty member for this award; a faculty member may not nominate himself/herself. One award may be given.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Cox Faculty Award should be directed to Julie Heard, the Office of the Provost, 994-4373 or jheard@montana.edu).

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Outstanding teaching and mentoring of students that promotes and supports student learning in a course that is delivered fully online.
  • Innovative online curriculum development and/or innovative approach to online course delivery that enhances student engagement.
  • Exemplary contributions to the practice of online instruction and the teaching profession.
  • Demonstrated evidence of research-based, online teaching best practices, including those that maximize instructor presence, facilitate online learning, and build online community through student-to-student interaction.
  • Effective and innovative use of technologies beyond the learning management system (Brightspace), to support and advance online learning.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Excellence in Online Teaching award should be directed to Lisa Brown, Academic Techology Office at lisa.brown@montana.eduor 994-9123.

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

The assessment of nominees will involve the quantity of the faculty member’s contributions to open education, the quality of their contributions (depth of sophistication, level of thought, level of innovation, etc.) to open education, and the actual and potential impact of their work, including educational benefit, economic impact and cost-savings for students, number of students impacted by Open Educational Resource (OER) use, etc. 

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Excellence in Open Education Award should be directed to  Doralyn Rossmann,

doralyn@montana.edu or 994-6978

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Significant outreach/engagement achievements.
  • An established body of outreach/engagement related scholarship work.
  • Working collaborately with an organization, colleague, or entity that is outside the academic community to address a challenge or opportunity. 
  • Efforts that go above and beyond the scope of the nominee's position.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Excellence in Outreach award should be directed to Kim Obbink, Director, Academic Techology Office at kobbink@montana.edu) or 994-6550.)

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Teaching to include work with students at any level and in a wide variety of settings.  Teaching impacts that include the ability to meet student learning objectives, a student centered approach, and/or effective assessment of student learning outcomes.
  • Research, scholarship and creative accomplishment is evidenced by a record of especially significant achievements or recent body of work, either of which should be the product of extensive, mature scholarly activity.
  • Mentorship is demonstrated engagement of students in valuable learning processes that integrate successes in teaching and research activities.  Clear outcomes of student success(s) directly resulting from the mentoring activities are a key factor in awardee selection.
  • Each Dean may submit two nominations.  The Dean of Letters and Science may nominate two from Letters and two from Science. One award may be given

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Fox Faculty award should be directed to Julie Heard, Office of the Provost, 994-4373, jheard@montana.edu)

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Evidence of lecture or laboratory/recitation/studio activities that promote inquiry and synthesis of information at the introductory level.
  • Excellent student evaluations (letters or standardized instruments).
  • Evidence of prior teaching awards at the college, university, national or professional society level.
  • Peer evaluations of teaching excellence/creativity.
  • Outstanding scholarship can be established through publications of books, poetry, juried art exhibits and invited lectures as well as grantsmanship and scientific journal publication.
  • Each Dean may submit two nominations. The Dean of Letters and Science may nominate four candidates: two from Letters and two from Science.  One award may be given.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the James and Mary Ross Award should be directed to Julie Heard, Office of the Provost, 994-4373, jheard@montana.edu.)

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Significant outreach/engagement achievements benefiting Native People and Lands
  • Demonstrated collaboration with an organization, colleague, or entity that is outside of the academic community to address a challenge or opportunity benefitting Native People and Lands
  • Research and scholarship that provides direct benefit to Native People and Lands
  • Impactful teaching, whether in the classroom, remotely, or in noncredit offerings, which provide enriching educational opportunities to others on the topic of Native People and Lands

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the award award should be directed to  Julie Heard, jheard@montana.edu or 994-4343.)

For the Anna K. Fridley award, the nomination letter (from a colleague, supervisor or student), will be forwarded to the nominee’s immediate supervisor, who will notify the nominees of their nomination.

 The supervisor will direct the nominee to send Phi Kappa Phi the following: 

  1. Their nomination letter
  2. An updated curriculum vitae
  3. A letter of support from a colleague
  4. A letter from the nominee (not to exceed 750 words) detailing their teaching philosophy and teaching accomplishments in the classroom, laboratory or studio. 
  5. The  nominee is responsible for requesting a minimum of  two letters of support from students, to be sent directly to Phi Kappa Phi. 

 All materials must be submitted in hard copy (with letters of support in sealed and signed envelopes) or in PDF format via e-mail, by the posted deadline.


Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the award award should be directed to Dawn Major, dmajor@montana.edu

The selection committee will evaluate faculty nominees on the following criteria:

  • Established record of working to build a civil, supportive, and respectful MSU campus environment that supports access for all. 
  • Demonstrated commitment and action towards advancing MSU values of excellence, integrity, inclusion, collaboration, curiosity, and stewardship 
  • Efforts go above and beyond the nominee’s job responsibilities and expectations 

Open to tenure/tenure track and non- tenure faculty.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the award should be directed to Ariel Donohue, ariel.donohue@montana.edu or 994-3004.)

The selection committee will evaluate nominees in the following criteria:

  • Identified learning objectives.
  • Evaluation and/or assessment of student learning.
  • Structured reflection activities.
  • Addresses an actual community identified need.
  • Multiple nominations may be submitted.  One award may be given.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the President's Award for Service Learning should be directed to Shannon Willoughby, Center for Faculty Excellence at shannon.willoughby@montana.edu or 994-1673.)

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Outstanding teaching to include work with students at any level and in a wide variety of settings; the ability to meet student learning objectives; student centered approach and /or effective assessment of student learning outcomes.
  • Evidence of superior student mentoring which should illustrate the nominee's concern for student development beyond the normal expectations for academic advising.
  • Creative course, program, and/or curriculum development, and/or strategies used to keep students and instructor motivated and excited.
  • Exemplary contributions to the teaching profession that include activities that transcend the classroom.
  • Students, faculty and administrators are invited to submit nominations online.  Each individual may nominate one nominee only.  One award may be given. 

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the President's Excellence in Teaching award should be directed to Shannon Willoughby, Center for Faculty Excellence at shannon.willoughby@montana.edu or 994-1673.)

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Number of graduate students mentored as major professor, and their success.
  • Number of research or creative collaborations with graduate students at MSU.
  • Record of excellence and effectiveness in activities such as:
    • Onboarding new graduate students
    • Guiding graduate students toward intellectual and professional independence
    • Helping graduate students overcome academic or personal obstacles
    • Job placement / career advising of graduating students
  • Innovation in graduate student mentoring.
  • Each Dean may nominate one faculty member.  The Dean of Letters and Science may nominate two candidates: one from Letters and one from Science.  
  • One award may be given.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Provost's Award for Graduate Mentoring should be directed to, Deborah Haynes, Graduate School, 994-5013 or dhaynes@montana.edu.)

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Number of undergraduate students mentored.
  • Hours of involvement.
  • Record of continued involvement with undergraduate research/creativity.
  • Recognition of student work through publication, awards, exhibitions, conference presentations, and patents.
  • Potential for contribution to research/creativity component of Core 2.0.
  • Each Dean may nominate one faculty member. The Dean of Letters and Science may nominate two candidates: one from Letters and one from Science.  One award may be given.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Provost's Award for Undergraduate Mentoring should be directed to Julie Heard, Office of the Provost, 994-4373 or jheard@montana.edu.) 

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Evidence of innovative and/or novel teaching practices that have been incorporated within the past three years
  • Relative comprehensiveness of scope: The innovation must have involved changes in the way a subject is taught
  • Measurable impact on teaching effectiveness, student success and/or retention
  • Potential or realized widespread use within or across disciplines.
  • Students, faculty, administrators and staff are invited to submit nominations online.  Each individual may nominate submit one nomination only. One award may be given.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the Teaching Innovation Award should be directed Shannon Willoughby, Center for Faculty Excellence at shannon.willoughby@montana.edu or 994-1673.)

The selection committee will evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

  • Technological/scientific contribution that has the potential for transfer to the private sector or has already been successfully transferred to the private sector.
  • An invention disclosure or patent that has been filed/granted.
  • Multiple nominations may be submitted.  One award may be given.

Click for full description, eligibility, and award process.

Go to the Award Nomination Portal to select the appropriate award and complete the nomination.

(Questions regarding the award for Meritorious Technology/Service should be directed to Mai Allen, Office of Research and Economic Development, 994-2891 or mai.allen@montana.edu.)


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