Teaching is a critical part of the mission of the College of Arts and Science. Every year, we recognize our faculty and graduate students for exceptional innovation and dedication to teaching and mentoring.
Each academic year, at a faculty meeting during the fall semester, the professors and administrators of the College of Arts and Science recognize excellence in teaching and advising within the Arts and Science community. These awards are an important part of the Arts and Science tradition, and the recipients are some of the most distinguished and beloved professors, instructors, and mentors in the history of Vanderbilt.
The Jeffrey Nordhaus Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
The Jeffrey Nordhaus Award was established in 1982 by a gift from Katherine Stumb Nordhaus and George Nordhaus in memory of their son, Jeffrey, victim of an airplane crash in 1979. George Nordhaus, Jeffrey's father, is a 1955 Vanderbilt University graduate.
The awards recognize Arts and Science faculty who have excelled in teaching undergraduates. Nominations are reviewed and ranked by student members of Phi Beta Kappa, after which the dean selects a winner. Each winner receives award money and an engraved Mississippi Julep pewter cup.
In 2004 the Jeffrey Nordhaus Award was expanded by the Nordhaus family to recognize excellence in teaching within each of the three main areas of Arts and Science--the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences.
2025 award winners:
- Humanities - Scott Aikin (Philosophy)
- Natural Sciences - Kalman Varga (Physics)
- Social Sciences - Alexandre Frenette (Sociology)
The Harriet S. Gilliam Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer
The Gilliam Award was established in 1995 in memory of Harriet S. Gilliam, B.A., 1966. The award recognizes a continuing-track faculty member on a full-time, multi-year contract who has achieved excellence in teaching undergraduates. Candidates must have taught at least five semesters. Nominations are reviewed and ranked by student members of Phi Beta Kappa, after which the dean selects a winner. The award winner receives a cash award and an engraved Mississippi Julep pewter cup.
2025 award winners:
- Humanities - Angus Galloway (Art)
- Natural Sciences - Brian Bill (Biological Sciences)
- Social Sciences - Laurie Woods (Sociology)
Faculty Adviser Award
These awards honor faculty for dedication to undergraduate advising. Recipients are chosen by a vote of graduating seniors, with one winner selected from each academic division in the College of Arts and Science: humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Each winner receives a cash award and an engraved Mississippi Julep pewter cup.
The Ernest A. Jones Award was established in 1978 by a grateful parent in recognition of the excellent academic advice his son received from Professor Ernest A. Jones of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. In 2019, the award was specialized to recognize advising in math and the natural sciences, and Dean John Geer established dedicated awards for the divisions of humanities and social sciences.
2025 award winners:
- Humanities - Dan Solomon (Classics)
- Natural Sciences - Keri Tallman (Chemistry)
- Social Sciences - Laurie Woods (Sociology)
Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching
Established in 1985 by the College of Arts and Science in collaboration with the Graduate School, this award recognizes a graduate faculty member in the College of Arts and Science for outstanding classroom teaching. The Committee on Graduate Education chooses award recipients from among departmental nominees upon evaluation of student testimonials, course evaluations, and the faculty member’s own statement of teaching philosophy. Each winner receives a cash award and an engraved Mississippi Julep pewter cup.
Award for Excellence in Graduate Mentoring
Established in 2004 by the College of Arts and Science, this annual award recognizes a faculty member for exceptional guidance of graduate students toward a high degree of professional accomplishment. The Committee on Graduate Education evaluates nominees’ statements of mentoring philosophy and description of students’ professional achievements, as well as testimonials from students themselves. Each winner receives a cash award and an engraved Mississippi Julep pewter cup.
Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
Established in 1985, this award is given each year for exceptionally effective classroom and/or laboratory instruction by a graduate teaching assistant. The Committee on Graduate Education selects an award winner from departmental nominations. The winner receives a cash prize and an engraved plaque.
2025 award winners:
- Savannah Bastian (Sociology)
- Lucia Edafioka (History)
Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award
This annual award was established in 2013 to recognize exceptionally effective teaching by a graduate student instructor of record. The Committee on Graduate Education selects an award winner from departmental nominations. The winner receives a cash prize and an engraved plaque.
2025 award winner:
- Sarah Hagaman (English)
Award for Excellence in Teaching in a World Language
This award recognizes graduate students for excellence in foreign language teaching. Co-sponsored by the Vanderbilt Center for Languages, it is granted to graduate students with full responsibility for language classes. The Committee on Graduate Education selects an award winner from departmental nominations. The winner receives a cash prize and an engraved plaque.
Outstanding Graduate Student Lab Instructor Award
This award recognizes excellence in laboratory instruction. It is awarded to graduate students who teach laboratory sections in science classes. The Committee on Graduate Education selects an award winner from departmental nominations. The winner receives a cash prize and an engraved plaque.
2025 award winner:
- Pragun Tuladhar (Chemistry)
Alumni Outstanding Freshman Advisor Award
This award was established in 1983 to honor faculty members for their commitment to advising students during their first two years in the College of Arts and Science. The recipient of the award is chosen on the basis of information provided by freshmen in evaluations submitted during the spring semester. Each winner receives a cash prize and an engraved Mississippi Julep pewter cup.