University President John T. Casteen, III will announce the 2009 recipients of the Thomas Jefferson Award - the University's highest honor - during the Fall Convocation ceremony Oct. 16.
Previously, the Thomas Jefferson Award was given to only one professor for his commitment to the University. Beginning this year, though, the University will recognize two professors through two different awards - the first award, which has been available since 1955, still recognizes a professor's service to the University community, and the second award, instituted this year, celebrates academic achievement. The University awards the recipients a citation and monetary prize.
"Past committees have commented on the difficulty in selecting a recipient since some candidates are strong in service and others are equally strong in scholarship," Director of Major Events Pam Higgins said. "Based on input from the committee over the years, it was decided a second award focusing on scholarship was needed."
In both cases, the selected professors must "have exemplified in character, work and influence the principles and ideals of Thomas Jefferson, and thus have advanced the objectives for which Jefferson founded the University," according to the award's Web site.
Separate committees composed of both faculty and student members headed this year's selection process. Nominees must not only have worked at the University for at least 15 years, but nominations must also include letters of recommendation and curricula vitae, Higgins said.
Past recipients include University professors who have had significant contributions and achievements in teaching, scholarship and administrative affairs, Higgins said.
"The University has successfully created the kind of ... intellectual and social environment that draws to Charlottesville people who are devoted to learning [and] people who want to become good citizens," said Law Prof. Richard Bonnie, a past award recipient. "What more could you want if you've lived in the environment of the University of Virginia your whole adult life"
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