The Edward and Louaine Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award is Ashland University’s most prestigious teaching award and is presented to faculty who epitomize high quality instruction.

This award was established in 1997 by Mr. and Mrs. Taylor and their children; the Taylor family has appreciated the importance of excellent teaching throughout their entire lives. The Taylor family’s desire is that the establishment of this award will continue to inspire and reward excellence in teaching at Ashland University.

Edward Taylor is an alumnus of Ashland University, who received his MED in 1983. He passed away in October 2010 about 7 weeks before his 101st birthday. His wife, Louaine, passed away in December 2001.

“Teaching which challenges students to think not only creatively, but critically serves as the very foundation on which this nation can survive and prosper. It is absolutely essential universities challenge each generation to excel, not just by providing them with technological tools, but through excellence in teaching,” said Taylor.

For a faculty member to be eligible for this award, they must have a minimum of three years full-time teaching experience with Ashland University.

The Taylor Excellence in teaching award is presented each year in the spring during the Academic Honors Convocation. To nominate a faculty member for this award you must be a faculty member, undergraduate or graduate student, or a part of the department of chairs. The deadline for nomination submissions is Nov. 30.

“As a university, we are in the business of educating. This is why it is so important to us to value, recognize and reward excellent teaching. Each year only one faculty member can be chosen to receive this award, so it is a great honor to be selected,” said AU Provost Amiel Jarstfer.

The 2021-2022 recipient of the Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award was presented to Professor Teresa Moorman, Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing and Living-Learning Community Faculty Advisor.

The criteria used for selection are:
· A Professor who challenges and supports students of all abilities to excel
· A Professor who personifies “Accent on the Individual”
· A Professor who stays current on theories and practices in both pedagogy and discipline related content.
· A Professor whose students often mention positively for classroom teaching
· A Professor who is willing to devote time and energy to incorporate innovative practices for improved instruction in classes

Selected faculty nominees present a philosophical statement on their teaching, their teaching evaluations and letters of support from their nominator and Department Chair.

A review committee made up of former Taylor Teaching Award Winners selects the finalists and conducts classroom observations to assess their teaching.

This review committee, with input from the Provost, will then make the final selection.

The Taylor Award Committee will select a winner at the end of March. At that time, the winner will be notified and invited to attend the Honors Convocation. The winner will not be announced publicly to the campus community until they are recognized at the Honors Convocation in April.

There are 51 nominees for The College of Arts and Sciences, 19 for the College of Business and Economics, 19 for the College of Education, 20 for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences and 10 for the Ashland Theological Seminary.

“We invite students, faculty and department chairs to nominate a deserving faculty member for the Taylor Award. We sincerely hope that students will take the time to nominate one of their professors, as students are the ones who are most likely to be aware of exemplary teaching since they experience it day-to-day in their classes. If a student has experienced a professor who has exhibited excellent teaching, please consider nominating them,” said Jarstfer.

On Nov. 1, Public Relations sent out an email to all students attaching the 2022-2023 Taylor Excellence in Teaching Award nomination form, along with a list of eligible faculty members.

Doc link to nominate faculty member below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeeTqX-gPEHLhkFoKR8Ak9_vAjocgj_x02e6ku0mW0wbID_Lg/viewform?usp=sf_link