Past Recipients

2021 Recipients

Regan Thomson

Professor of Chemistry, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

In addition to his role as director of graduate studies in a department with 250 graduate students, Regan Thomson has an impressive record of service to the department of chemistry, Weinberg College, The Graduate School (TGS) and the University. He is a champion for graduate students within the department and across the University, serving on the TGS Advisory Council on Academic Affairs while also dedicating an extensive amount of time to serving on crucial leadership committees, including the college’s promotions and tenure committee and the Faculty Senate.

Sandra Waxman

Professor of Psychology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Sandra Waxman has contributed extensively to her department in part through her informal and formal mentoring of faculty colleagues and by building community, and she has served as chair of the University’s honorary degree committee. As a co-founder of the interdepartmental Culture, Language and Cognition Program and a founding member of the Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences (DEVSCI) program, Waxman has had enormous impact on the scholarly community at Northwestern. In addition, her leadership of the work-life group of the Provost’s Advisory Council on Women Faculty resulted in policy revisions and improved communication on work-life issues.

2020 Recipients

Luis Amaral

Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Luis Amaral provided years of service to McCormick and numerous departments and schools at the University. Amaral is recognized in particular for fostering interdisciplinary networks across the University. He has expanded the reach of NICO (Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems), and has served as a leader of the university-wide Data Science Initiative since 2015. In addition, Amaral has fostered joint research across the University through the creation of faculty research networking luncheons.

Robert Gundlach

Professor of Linguistics, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

Robert Gundlach served as the founding director of Northwestern’s Cook Family Writing Program for forty-two years. He has held faculty leadership positions as well in the Linguistics Department, at the Northwestern University Press, and in the residential college system. Gundlach has also been the faculty athletics representative since 2002, representing Northwestern in the Big Ten Conference and the NCAA. He has guided numerous students and faculty members through his formal and informal mentorship roles.

2019 Recipients

Matthew Grayson

Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

Matthew Grayson created ETOPIA, a science-based theater outreach that bridges disciplines as it builds community, with productions in Tech Building since 2008 that have attracted over 700 regular annual patrons as well as outreach productions for local area high schools. In addition, Grayson initiated the Finding Nano and Global Engineering Trek study abroad and technological tourism programs which promote global citizenship for engineering students.

Babette Sanders

Professor of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine

Babette Sanders provided years of outstanding devotion to faculty governance at the University. She was instrumental in writing the Faculty Senate by-laws when it was created, and served as president and past-president for an additional two years due to special circumstances, as well in the leadership of the Medical Faulty Council at Feinberg. Furthermore, through informal and formal mentorship roles, she has guided many faculty members, and in particular fostered success for women faculty members.