A wide variety of Awards and Honors are issued to individuals whose outstanding service at the University of Kentucky earns recognition. For information regarding the nomination process, award history, or other details please contact the originating College/Department.
University Awards
Faculty and Staff Awards Spreadsheet
The Office for Faculty Advancement maintains the list of approved awards for faculty and staff. The current list updated on 4/4/2024 may be found here.
Resident and House Staff Awards Spreadsheet
The Office for Faculty Advancement maintains the list of approved awards for residents and house staff. The current list updated on 4/4/2024 may be found here.
Request New Awards or Update Existing Awards
Requests to add new faculty/staff and/or resident and house staff awards should be emailed to Jennifer Haynes (jennifer.haynes5@uky.edu) in the Office for Faculty Advancement, using the template below.
Student Awards
All requests for new or updated student awards should be submitted to the Office for Student Success.
Provost's Awards for Outstanding Teaching
2024
Each year, the University recognizes faculty and graduate students for outstanding teaching. The awards are intended to identify and recognize individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to student achievement and who are advancing meritorious success in their teaching. These awards emphasize the University's commitment to the importance of teaching as its vital core mission in the Commonwealth, the nation, and the world.
2024 Outstanding Teaching Awards Guidelines and Timeline
Past Outstanding Teaching Award Recipients
The 2024 Outstanding Teaching Awards Ceremony will be held on April 25, 2024, from 1 - 3 PM, in room 121 of the Jacobs Science Building.
Graduate School Faculty Awards
Kirwan Prize
*The Kirwan Prize and Sturgill Award are presented during the Provost's Awards for Outstanding Teaching ceremony, each year in April.
UK Alumni Professorships
The Alumni Professorships date back to at least 1985, when faculty were “recognized for their influential scholarly contributions, sustained excellence in teaching, and outstanding career or public service.” The professorship and associated annual stipend are extended for a 5-year period and are renewable. The Office for Faculty Advancement oversees the process for selection and/or renewal of this Professorship.
Deans are encouraged to consider nominating one faculty member from your college for this prestigious Professorship. It is anticipated that professorships will be awarded to begin July 1.
Criteria for the Alumni Professorships are:
1. The individual should be a tenured faculty member (at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor)
2. The individual should have made outstanding contributions in research and scholarship that are recognized nationally for their quality and influence
3. The individual should have established a reputation for being an excellent teacher and mentor, and
4. The individual should be recognized for outstanding contributions in the area of professional and community service.
Nominations are limited to one per college.
Please limit the nomination to the following two components:
1. Letter of nomination written by the dean
2. Faculty member’s Curriculum Vitae
The selection committee composed of faculty and a representative of the Alumni Association will make recommendations for appointment to the Provost in mid-late April, with the Professorship to begin July 1, for those selected for this recognition and honor.
Questions may be directed to Jennifer Haynes, Faculty Advancement Coordinator, in the Office for Faculty Advancement.
Please note: There are no Alumni Professorship vacancies for 2024.
Wethington Awards
The Wethington Awards program serves five purposes that are linked to our efforts to move the University toward national prominence:
- Increase the number of applications to extramural funding agencies;
- increase the level of grant and contract funding;
- provide enhanced opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral training;
- enhance the level of indirect costs revenue for redistribution and investment; and
- facilitate the recruitment and retention of research-oriented faculty.
This award program is designed to recognize the success of individual faculty in contributing to the University's research program by competitively obtaining extramural funding. The criteria for the selection of nominees must include, at a minimum, evidence of scholarly productivity and excellence.
Click here to see the current memo on the Wethington Awards
Program Period: March-May (announcement made in late March for spreadsheets to be due early May)
Distinguished Service Award
2013 - 2014 Recipients
Daniel Breazeale - Philosophy
Edward T. Jennings - Martin School of Public Policy & Administration
Michael F. Potter -Entomology
Jurgen Rohr- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Sharon L. Walsh- Behavioral Science
Heidi L. Weiss- Markey Cancer Center
Provost Public Scholars
2009 - 2010 Recipients
Paul Eakin - Mathematics
