Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching
Created in 1994 to encourage, identify, reward, recognize, and support excellence
in teaching within the university. A cash award of $12,500 and a bronze medallion
created especially for the award are given to seventeen recipients, one from each
institution in the UNC System.
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Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award
The most prestigious on-campus award, and recognizes superior teaching and meritorious
performance. Nominees are selected by a combined vote of students and faculty. This
annual honor includes a $2,000 cash award.
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Star Staff Award
Given to an SHRA or EHRA non-faculty employee. Award winners demonstrate consistent,
exceptional service to Western Carolina University students, and help energize and
enhance staff spirit and morale. This honor includes a $1,000 cash award.
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Bright Idea Staff Award
This award is given to an SHRA or EHRA non-faculty employee who suggests an idea,
procedure or program that helps improve University operations. Not only does the winner
propose the improvement, but they are instrumental in its' development, implementation
and operation. This honor includes a $1,000 cash award.
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Judy H. Dowell Outstanding Support Staff Award
Judy H. Dowell earned a reputation for providing outstanding service to Western Carolina
University and was a dedicated advocate for the university's support staff during
her 30-year career as a professor, faculty leader, and administrator. She served as
assistant to the chancellor for 17 years, working alongside three former chancellors.
Dowell retired in December 2002. This award is presented annually to a non-exempt
SHRA employee for exemplary service to Western Carolina University. The winner of
the $1,000 cash award demonstrated dependability, cooperation, and institutional loyalty.
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Paul A. Reid Distinguished Service Award
Serving twice as president of Western Carolina University from 1949 until 1956, and
again from 1957 through 1968, his time as head of the institution was marked by huge
enrollment growth and a major expansion of the university's facilities. These awards,
which come with cash prizes of $1,000, were established by Reid in 1978 to recognize
distinguished service by a faculty member and by a member and the administrative staff.
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University Scholar Award
This award is designed to recognize research and creative activities. It is given
to a faculty member who has achieved a position of prominence in his or her discipline
through creative research activities. Examples of distinguished achievements include
research, publications, grant receipts, art exhibitions, works of art, fine arts performances,
and literary works.
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Program of Excellence Award
First awarded in 1986, the academic and support program of excellence awards are separate
$10,000 awards presented to an academic department/unit or a support department/unit
in alternate years to recognize established records of excellence.
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Honorary Doctorate
From time to time Universities choose to recognize outstanding achievement by awarding
honorary degrees.
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