Faculty Awards (UMSI)

There are three UMSI internal faculty awards: The Joan Durrance Community Enagement Award, the Michale D. Cohen Outstanding Service Award, and the Award for Excellence in Instruction.

Joan Durrance Community Engagement Award

The Joan Durrance Community Engagement Award recognizes one or more UMSI faculty members. Faculty are honored for their excellence in building partnerships with communities to develop successful, sustainable information-related projects that address societal challenges.

This award is named in honor of Professor Joan Durrance, who retired at the end of the 2010-2011 academic year. Former Dean Jeff MacKie-Mason called Durrance "...a tireless advocate for the importance of information institutions and services in community development."

Michael D. Cohen Outstanding Service Award

The Michael D. Cohen Outstanding Service Award recognizes one UMSI faculty member each year. Faculty are honored for their commitment to excellence in serving the UMSI community and engaging in above and beyond in service activities at UMSI and UM in moving the mission of the school.

In May 2012, this special award was re-named after Professor Michael Cohen, who retired at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. Former Dean Jeff MacKie-Mason called Cohen "...a peerless role model of selfless service to the school’s mission."

Award for Excellence in Instruction

This award is given to a UMSI faculty member who demonstrates superior instructional engagement in a given year. This is based on innovation in curriculum (re)design and/or delivery, student and peer evaluation, and promotion of engaged learning. The award can be based on overall curriculum innovation, excellence in the context of a course, or co-curricular activities.