Joan G. McDonald Award for Outstanding Teaching in the Sciences
Purpose of award
Established by Xavier alumnus Dr. Robert McDonald in honor of his late wife, this award is presented to faculty who have demonstrated sustained excellence in teaching across a variety of courses and over a number of semesters. Excellence in teaching is to be interpreted in the broad sense of the term to include activities outside the classroom such as availability to students, willingness to work individually with students, advising students, and ability to motivate students to pursue independent study or to participate in research. Excellence is demonstrated through student and peer evaluations.
Eligibility
Each year, tenured or tenure-track faculty members in the Biology, Chemistry, Physics departments who are at least in their third year of full-time teaching at Xavier are eligible.
Every second year, a participating faculty member or part-time faculty in the Biology, Chemistry, or Physics department will also be recognized with this award.
The Award
Tenured or tenure-track winners receive a $5000 cash award and $5000 in faculty development money. Participating faculty or part-time faculty winners receive a $2500 cash award and $2500 in faculty development money.
Nominations
Any current or recent Xavier University student and any Biology, Chemistry, or Physics faculty member may nominate an eligible recipient.
In 2023-24, one award will be given to a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty member, and one award will be given to a participating faculty or part-time faculty member.
Nominations must be received by 4:00 pm, March 18, 2024.
2023-24 McDonald Award Nomination Form
Past Award Recipients
| Years | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| 1996-1997 | Dr. Stanley Hedeen |
| 1997-1998 | Dr. Terrence Toepker Ms. Mary Stroud |
| 1998-1999 | Dr. Barbara Hopkins |
| 1999-2000 | Dr. Edward Fenlon Ms. Linda Heath |
| 2000-2001 | Dr. Dorothy Engle |
| 2001-2002 | Dr. Lisa Close-Jacob Mr. Michael Gehner |
| 2002-2003 | Dr. Marco Fatuzzo |
| 2003-2004 | Dr. Daniel McLoughlin Dr. Vimala Majeti |
| 2004-2005 | Dr. Steve Herbert |
| 2005-2006 | Dr. Carolyn Chambers Dr. Roy Cohen |
| 2006-2007 | Dr. Craig Davis |
| 2007-2008 | Dr. Stephen C. Yerian Mr. Neema Nourian |
| 2008-2009 | Dr. Charles Grossman |
| 2009-2010 | Dr. Richard Mullins Dr. Pamela Roy |
| 2010-2011 | Dr. Jennifer Robbins |
| 2011-2012 | Dr. Linda Finke Dr. Nancy Matre |
| 2012-2013 | Dr. Justin Link |
| 2013-2014 | Dr. Ann Ray Dr. Mary Stroud |
| 2014-2015 | Dr. Dorothy Engle |
| 2015-2016 | Dr. Mollie McIntosh Ms. Amy Bosch |
| 2016-2017 | Dr. Brent Blair |
| 2017-2018 | Dr. Stephen Mills Dr. Greg Braun |
| 2018-2019 | Dr. Haider Raad |
| 2019-2020 | Dr. Jonathan Morris Dr. Heather Balyeat |
| 2020-2021 | Dr. Ann Ray |
| 2021-2022 | Dr. Kat Morris Dr. Adam Azman |
| 2022-2023 | Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer |
| 2023-2024 |
Dr. Supaporn Kradtap |