Northwestern University Distinguished Teaching Awards

McCormick Professors of Teaching Excellence
Alumnae of Northwestern Teaching Professors
McCormick University Distinguished Lecturers/Clinical Professors

Northwestern University offers three awards to recognize individual faculty members who have consistently demonstrated outstanding performance in classroom teaching, or who have developed significant innovations that have also influenced the methods and teaching effectiveness of other faculty:

• The Charles Deering McCormick Professors of Teaching Excellence
• The Alumnae of Northwestern Teaching Professors
• The Charles Deering McCormick University Distinguished Lecturers/Clinical Professors

Overview

Each year three McCormick Professorships and two McCormick Distinguished Lecturers/Clinical Professors are awarded.  The McCormick Professorships are appointed for three year terms and McCormick Distinguished Lecturers/Clinical Professors for one year terms.  Additionally, every three years the Alumnae Professorship is awarded for a three year term.  Thus, at any given time, nine people hold McCormick Professorships, two people hold McCormick Lectureship/Clinical Professorships, and one person holds the Alumnae of Northwestern Professorship.

Each recipient of a McCormick or Alumnae Professorship and a McCormick Lectureship receives a salary supplement during his or her tenure in the position; holders of the Professorship also receive an annual research grant. Each holder of a McCormick or Alumnae appointment is designated a Fellow of the Searle Center for Teaching Excellence.

Nomination and Selection Process

Faculty members are nominated for a McCormick or Alumnae award by the Deans of the schools or colleges in which they have their principal appointments. The nominations are reviewed by a committee chaired by the Provost and made up of senior faculty members and administrators, along with a student representative. The selection committee submits its recommendations to the President. Appointments are made by the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. The appointments are made without regard to the school affiliation of the faculty member.

Current and Past Recipients