Faculty Awards
The University of Minnesota recognizes and rewards its faculty for their vital role and outstanding contributions to the University’s teaching, research, and outreach missions through a number of programs, including Regents Professors, McKnight Distinguished Professors, McKnight Presidential Chairs, Morse-Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Teachers, and the Outstanding Graduate and Professional Teachers.
Nobel Prize winners are those who, at any time in their careers, spent time at the University of Minnesota as faculty or students. For other faculty awards, the recipient has been employed at the University at the time of the award.
Award Categories
Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Education
Two University-wide annual award programs recognize teachers' commitment to quality education. Recipients of the Morse-Alumni awards and the Graduate and Professional Teaching awards are inducted into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers and carry the designation of Distinguished University Teaching Professor (faculty) or Distinguished University Teacher (P&A) throughout their careers at the University of Minnesota.
Candidates for the awards are nominated by their colleges. These awards are made possible through the generous support of the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
Horace T. Morse-Minnesota Alumni Association Award
Since 1965, the Horace T. Morse-Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education has been awarded to recognize exceptional contributions to undergraduate education.
Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Award
The Award for Outstanding Contributions to Graduate and Professional Award was established in 1999 to recognize exceptional contributions to graduate and professional education.
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award
The Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award honors faculty who have done significant research, teaching or service/leadership to advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion at the University, in the person's field of study, or in our broader community. These awards are meant to advance and elevate equity work; provide funding in recognition of the value of that work; and showcase critical scholarship, pedagogy, and community engagement.
Candidates for the awards are nominated by their departments. These awards are made possible through the generous support of the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and the Office of Equity and Diversity.
Departmental Legacy Scholars
This category includes "giants" from each department who spent time at the University before national and international awards evolved to recognize exceptional scholarship in those respective fields.
Northrop Professorship
This award recognizes field-shaping faculty at any stage in their post-tenure career at the University of Minnesota—especially those who have made significant advances in their careers at the University of Minnesota, whose national and international work and reputation has been identified as having helped define the trajectory of one or more academic fields, and whose accomplishments have brought great renown and prestige to Minnesota.
Honorary Degree
Individuals honored by the University with an honorary degree for their outstanding lifetime accomplishments. An alphabetical list of recipients and links to biographical information are available at the University Awards and Honors site.
McKnight Awards
The McKnight Awards are made possible by generous donations from the McKnight Foundation.
McKnight Land-Grant Professorship
The goal of the McKnight Land-Grant Professorship Program is to advance the careers of assistant professors at a crucial point in their professional lives. The designation of “McKnight Land-Grant Professor” is held by recipients for a two-year period. This program is administered by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.
Distinguished McKnight University Professorship
The Distinguished McKnight University Professorship program recognizes outstanding faculty members who have recently achieved full professor status. Recipients hold the title “Distinguished McKnight University Professor” for as long as they remain employed at the University of Minnesota. This program is administered by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.
Imagine Fund
The McKnight Arts and Humanities Endowment has been transformed into the Imagine Fund. The McKnight Arts and Humanities Endowment was established in 1991. From the beginning, the Endowment’s mission has been to support, sustain, and enliven arts and humanities research and activities on the four University campuses. Each year it fulfills that mission by supporting scholarly and creative projects and initiatives that benefit the University community and communities beyond.
McKnight Presidential Fellow Award
The McKnight Presidential Fellows Program is a three-year award given to exceptional faculty who have recently been considered for tenure and promotion to associate professor, to recognize their accomplishments and support their ongoing research and scholarship. Candidates are considered for these awards as part of the regular promotion and tenure review process each year.
McKnight Presidential Endowed Chairs and Professorships
The McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair and the McKnight Presidential Endowed Professorship are among the highest honors for faculty at the University. Recipients are recommended by their college dean and chosen at the discretion of Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel T.A. Croson based, in part, on their academic and research accomplishments and their contributions to advancing the University among its peers.
President’s Community-Engaged Scholar Award
Established in 2013, the President's Community-Engaged Scholar Award is the University's highest recognition for exemplary scholarship incorporating University knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility, address critical societal issues, and contribute to the public good.
Regents Professorship
The Regents Professorship was created by the Board of Regents in 1965 with support from the University Foundation. It is the highest recognition given by the University to a member of its faculty. Regents Professors exhibit outstanding academic distinction, judged by the scope and quality of their scholarly or artistic work, the quality of their teaching, and their contributions to the public good. Once designated Regents Professors, faculty members hold the title for as long as they remain at the University. Upon retirement from the University, a Regents Professor becomes a Regents Professor Emeritus.
For more information about the Regents Professorship, please visit the University Awards & Honors Web site.