To the Editor:

The President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is presented during the spring of each year to a full-time faculty member who exemplifies teaching excellence. The office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs administers the process of receiving nominees and developing recommendations to the President.

To be considered for this award a faculty member may be nominated by a fellow faculty member, by a current or former student, or by a staff member.

Nominees will be asked to complete a reference sheet supplying personal and professional information.

After a review of all nominations, a selection committee appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs will recommend three candidates.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs will then forward the recommended candidates to the President who will make the final selection. Criteria for selection include:

• a high degree of professional competence exhibited by knowledge and expertise that is extensive and current;

• effective teaching methods that demonstrate quality, creativity, and resourcefulness, as well as clear, accurate and effective communication;

• enthusiasm and a strong commitment to teaching in general and a genuine concern, commitment, and fairness to students; and

• contribution to the teaching profession at the institutional, state, or national level.

The recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching will be announced during commencement exercises. At that time, the recipient will be presented a plaque and cash award of $1,000 to commemorate this honor.

The award is for the 2010-2011 school year.

All nomination forms must be returned by the fourth Friday in March, to the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (in area 1A3 on the first floor of the Main Building).

Nomination forms can be printed by going to: www.occc.edu/AcademicAffairs/FacultyForms and clicking on President’s Award for Excellence.