VUSE Faculty Research Awards
Faculty Research Awards recognize exceptional research achievements by VUSE faculty members across various disciplines. These awards honor the outstanding contributions of school faculty to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and make a significant impact on society through research in their respective fields and create a culture that actively celebrates research excellence and continues to inspire the pursuit of knowledge across all fields of study.
The VUSE Award for Excellence in Teaching
This award is conveyed by the Dean of Engineering at the final faculty meeting each spring to a member of the VUSE faculty * who has made significant contribution to excellence in undergraduate or graduate instruction during the past year.
Evidence of such excellence may include: (1) high teaching ratings, (2) development of effective course materials, (3) well-received innovations in instructional methodology, (4) positive influence on curriculum, (5) influence on teachers within VUSE, elsewhere within the University, and outside Vanderbilt, (6) innovative and effective collaboration with faculty members outside VUSE.
This award does not replace the Tau Beta Pi teaching award or any other existing award.
The Judith A. Pachtman Engineering Staff Award
This award is conveyed by the Dean of Engineering to at the final faculty meeting each spring a member of the VUSE staff for contribution beyond the norm to the School of Engineering.
Excellence in staff service may include: (1) exceptional service to faculty, students, or other staff members, (2) innovations designed to enhance quality or save money, and (3) innovative professional service beyond the expectations of the job description.
The Edward J. White Engineering Faculty Award for Excellence in Service
This award is conveyed by the Dean of Engineering to a member of the VUSE faculty * for contribution in service to the School of Engineering.
Excellence in service may include: (1) leadership in effective committee service, (2) outstanding contribution to student life outside the classroom, (3) effective representation of engineering concerns in the councils of the University, (4) leadership in alumni and development activities, (5) leadership in industrial relations, (6) innovative contributions to public relations, (7) contribution to the infrastructural services of the School, (8) effective and documented contribution to recruitment of students, and (9) making a difference in the lives of students having serious academic or personal problems.
Edward J. White served as Associate Dean of the School of Engineering from 1987 through 1999. His service included many of the contributions for which this award is presented. Many students having academic or personal problems found the first step in solution of their difficulties was a visit with Dean White.
* A “member of the VUSE faculty” is defined as (a) a person holding an emeritus title associated with VUSE, or (b) a person holding a full-time primary appointment in VUSE under a title included in Part II, Chapter 1, Sections A and B of the Faculty Manual. That definition includes both tenured and non-tenured faculty. Graduate assistants and part-time employees are not included.