The University Exemplary Awards Program recognizes the work of departments and/or programs that maintain exemplary teaching and learning environments for students and faculty. With this award, the University publicly honors the collaborative efforts and successes of a group of dedicated colleagues - actively performing work that is essential for sustaining a truly excellent academic environment. The University Exemplary Departments and Programs Awards are given in recognition that the academic excellence of individuals is achieved within distinctive working and learning environments to which many individuals contribute in essential ways. $40,000 will be available for awards to the department(s) and/or programs as to be determined by the selection committee drawn from the University Community.

The awards program was established as a part of the University's Faculty Rewards Project, a project which seeks to clarify the expectations of faculty, and define appropriate rewards for accomplishments.

Award Theme

Each year the Exemplary Department Award focuses on a different theme. This year, departments and programs will be recognized for effectively linking assessment with instruction in order to improve student learning.

Nomination Materials

Nominations are invited from students, faculty, or others who have benefited from the work of the nominated department(s). Nomination packets must include,

1. a nomination letter addressing three questions:
   1. Generally, how has your department/program demonstrated exemplary teaching and learning environments for students and faculty?
   2. Specifically, how has your department/program effectively linked assessment with instruction in order to improve student learning?
   3. How will your department/program sustain its dedication to effectively linking assessment with instruction in order to improve student learning?
2. letters of support from current and former faculty, students, administrators, agencies, and other beneficiaries, focused on the achievements of the department/program relative to this year's theme.

Nomination packets must not exceed 20 pages and be printed in 12 point Arial. Nomination packets MUST be submitted online:

Peter Doolittle
Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research
pdoo@vt.edu.

Nomination materials are due
September 15, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

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Future Award Themes

Year	Theme
2012	Effectively integrate ePortfolios to improve student learning.
2013	Effectively implement and assess programs for first year students that incorporate problem solving, inquiry and integration of learning skills.

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Previous Recipients

Year	Theme and Recipients
2010	Developing and sustaining innovative and effective approaches that foster international awareness and education.
	Department of Mechanical Engineering Department of Entomology Department of Chemical Engineering
2009	Effectively linking research and scholarship with teaching, with particular concentration on innovative undergraduate programs.
	Department of Chemistry Earth Sustainability Program
2008	Working collaboratively across departmental boundaries to fulfill common or complementary goals.
	College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences Computer Science History School of Architecture + Design Teaching and Learning Undergraduate Research Institute
2007	Developing and sustaining innovative and effective departmental approaches to advising at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels.
	Industrial and Systems Engineering Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management University Academic Advising Center
2006	Developing and sustaining innovative and effective departmental approaches to introductory courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
	Communication Engineering Education
2005	Enhancing global diversity by effectively increasing the numbers of culturally diverse faculty, staff and students, and/or promoting and supporting international and multicultural perspectives to support the missions of the university.
	Cranwell International Center Human Development
2004	Managing faculty resources of time and talent effectively and creatively to fulfill stated departmental or program missions.
	Biological Systems Engineering History Theatre Arts
2003	Working collaboratively across departmental boundaries to fulfill common or complementary goals.
	Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Sciences & Engineering, and Physics Foreign Languages and Literatures and Pamplin College of Business Graduate and International Programs Graduate Program in Science and Technology Studies
2002	Maintaining a high quality of advising both at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
	Biology Animal and Poultry Sciences Mining and Minerals Engineering
2001	Developing and sustaining innovative and effective departmental approaches to introductory courses at the graduate or undergraduate levels.
	Forestry Marriage and Family Therapy Program (Northern Virginia) Residential Leadership Community
2000	Effectively increasing diversity of faculty, staff, and students, and/or enhancing multicultural perspectives in teaching, research, and outreach programs.
	Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Industrial and Systems Engineering Dean of Students' Office
1999	Effectively linking research and scholarship with teaching, with particular concentration on innovative undergraduate programs.
	Aeorspace and Ocean Engineering Psychology Physics
1998	Working collaboratively across departmental boundaries to fulfill common or complementary goals.
	Urban Affairs and Planning Materials Sciences and Engineering Building Construction Civil and Environmental Engineering
1997	Maintaining a high quality of advising both at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
	Mining and Minerals Engineering Animal and Poultry Sciences Agriculture and Applied Economics
1996	Developing and sustaining innovative and effective departmental approaches to introductory courses at the graduate or undergraduate levels.
	Mathematics Geological Sciences Engineering Fundamentals
1995	Managing faculty resources of time and talent effectively and creatively to fulfill stated departmental or program missions.
	Women's Studies Communication Studies English
1994	Effectively linking research and scholarship with teaching, with particular concentration on innovative undergraduate programs.
	Biochemistry Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering

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