Employee recognition
Each year, outstanding faculty, staff and students at the University of Nevada, Reno are recognized for their service and achievements. Learn about awards, previous winners and calls for nominations for upcoming awards.
Academic Faculty Awards
The Provost's Office coordinates several campus-wide academic awards, many of which are presented at the University's Honor the Best celebration, an annual event to recognize the outstanding achievements of faculty, staff and students.
Office of the Provost Faculty Awards
The Cavanaugh Community Volunteer Award has been given annually since 1996 to recognize a graduating student at the University of Nevada, Reno who has made a significant contribution to the community through volunteer work. The award is funded by the son and daughter of Margery Cavanaugh.
In recognition of the importance of faculty outreach, the Distinguished Outreach Faculty Award program began in 2004. The award was developed to recognize and salute the university's faculty for outstanding outreach activities. Funding is provided by the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation and the Office of the Provost.
The F. Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award has been conferred to the university's finest teachers since 1973. Recipients come from a wide variety of University of Nevada, Reno teaching departments. Each year two recipients are selected based on nominations from the deans of each college, submission of teaching portfolios by the nominees, and classroom observations. Funding is provided by the University Foundation, ASUN and the Office of the Provost.
Learn about the F. Donald Tibbitts Distinguished Teacher Award
The inaugural Paul and Judy Bible Teaching Excellence Award will be presented at the 2018 Spring Commencement. This $10,000 award was established through a permanent endowment by Paul Bible, former chair of the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation Board of Trustees. Paul and his late wife Judy were both graduates of Nevada, Paul in economics and Judy in elementary education. They valued the education they received at Nevada and the efforts of their teachers. Nominations are to be submitted by students who are enrolled at the University of Nevada, Reno at the time of nomination. University academic faculty members whose appointments are least 0.5 FTE are eligible to be nominated for this award.
Learn about the Paul and Judy Bible University Teaching Excellence Award
The Foundation Professor program was developed in 1983 to recognize and salute the university's professors for outstanding achievements, particularly in research and teaching. The award is for a three-year period during which the individuals selected receive a $5,000 annual stipend to be used in professional endeavors, a one course per semester reduction in teaching load, and recognition at the annual Foundation Banquet in early fall. Funding is provided by the University Foundation.
The Thornton Peace Prize was established in 1970 by William and Barbara Thornton, both graduates of the University of Nevada, Reno. This award is given annually to recognize an individual or group from the university community who exemplifies by word or deed that use of force is not an acceptable means for settling disputes.
The University Academic Advisor Award is given annually to faculty members with distinguished records of student advisement. Two awards are granted, one for undergraduate advisement and one for graduate advisement. Full-time faculty and professional staff who provide academic advising as part of their regular or primary assignment are eligible for the award.
Learn about the University and Board of Regents Academic Advisor Award
The Nevada Regents’ Teaching Award is given annually to two faculty members with distinguished records of teaching. One award shall be granted annually to one full-time faculty member who is tenured or tenure-track who provides instruction as their primary assignment at UNLV, UNR, or NSC, or to a DRI faculty member who provides instruction as part of their regular assignment. The second award shall be granted annually to one full-time non-tenured or non-tenure track faculty member who provides instruction as part of their primary assignment at UNLV, UNR, or NSC, or to a DRI faculty member who provides instruction as part of their regular assignment. Candidates must have at least five years of cumulative service in the NSHE by the date of nomination in order to be considered for the award. This is a prestigious award, and the winner receives a special medal and a check for $5,000.
Learn about the University and Board of Regents Teaching Award
Foundation Administrative and Academic Faculty Awards
The Faculty Senate coordinates five faculty awards to honor and acknowledge excellence at work, and exemplary leadership and service. The awards are presented at the University's Honor the Best celebration, an annual event to recognize the outstanding achievements of faculty, staff and students.
Faculty Senate Foundation Awards
This award recognizes exemplary administrative faculty who have consistently excelled in their positions and demonstrated significant impact at the University. The winner of this award will be recognized at the Honor the Best Ceremony in May and will receive a $5,000 monetary award and a framed certificate.
This award recognizes exemplary Administrative Faculty who have excelled in their positions and demonstrated a significant impact at the University. The winner of this award will be recognized at the Honor the Best Ceremony in May and will receive a $2,500 monetary award and a framed certificate.
This award recognizes exemplary Administrative Faculty who have consistently excelled in leadership. The winner of this award will be recognized at the Honor the Best Ceremony in May and will receive a $2,500 monetary award and a framed certificate.
This award demonstrates the value that administration places on faculty commitment to committee service. The award recognizes and rewards exemplary faculty service on the Faculty Senate, University committees, and Faculty Senate committees. The winner of this award will be recognized at the Honor the Best Ceremony in May and will receive a framed certificate.
This award recognizes and rewards instructional professional employees on a Letter of Appointment (LOA) contract who exemplify the University’s standards for excellence and service to students and show exemplary individual achievement, contribution, and performance in their instructional role responsibilities and other related duties. The winners of the award will be recognized at the Honor the Best Ceremony in May and will each receive a $1,000 monetary award and a framed certificate.
Classified Staff Awards
The Staff Employees' Council (SEC) coordinates four classified staff awards to honor and acknowledge excellence at work, and exemplary leadership and service. The awards are presented at the University's Honor the Best celebration, an annual event to recognize the outstanding achievements of faculty, staff and students.
Staff Employees' council Awards
As part of the Staff Employees Council (SEC), the Classified Employees Recognition Committee reviews nominations for outstanding classified employees on a monthly basis and recognizes up to two classified employees each month. The Employee of the Month shall receive a certificate, their name on the Lawlor marquee, a letter from President Marc Johnson with an invitation to have coffee and a pastry, as well as a Blue Card entitling them to various discounts and freebies.
Each year the Staff Employees' Council recognizes one classified staff employee who makes exceptional contributions to the University. All members of the campus community are encouraged to nominate staff colleagues who deserve this special acknowledgment.
The Wolf Cub of the Year award recognizes outstanding full and part-time classified staff members who exemplify the University's standards for excellence and innovation during their first two years of employment.
Classified Staff Honoree is a designation afforded to retired university classified staff members that meet eligibility requirements and receive approval for this status.
Student Employee Awards
Each year, our top students are recognized for their academic achievements, their service to the community, civic engagement, and as outstanding student workers.
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) coordinates multiple scholarships and awards for graduate students. Most students are recognized at GSA's Spring Awards ceremony, but some, including the Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher, are recognized at the President's Honor the Best Ceremony.
Each year, Human Resources selects one undergraduate student worker to be recognized at the President's Honor the Best ceremony each May. Nominations typically occur in February and early March.
Learn more about the Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year Award
In addition to the above Student Worker of the Year Award, students can earn recognition through the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno (ASUN) Center for Student Engagement.