Each year during Spring Commencement, UE recognizes one Outstanding Teacher for exemplary teaching and student service.

Any student, faculty, administrator, staff member, or alum is eligible to nominate a teacher they feel exemplifies the award’s stated goals of “encouraging outstanding teaching and the inclusion of students in as many facets of academic life as possible.”

Any full-time faculty member who is a classroom teacher, has taught at least two years at UE, and holds the rank of instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor is eligible for consideration. Recipients from the last five years are not eligible to be nominated.

Recipients receive recognition at commencement, a plaque presented by the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and receive a $2000.00 cash prize.

Criteria for consideration include:

• A record of outstanding teaching effectiveness both within and outside the classroom
• The ability to inspire, promote and sustain the intellectual development of students
• A pedagogical approach that is innovative, intellectually rigorous, creative and engaging
• Demonstrated scholarly contributions and their integration into the classroom
• Advising/mentoring of students and student organizations
• Involvement in the University and/or greater community

• 1968 – Dr. P. Louis Winternheimer – Biology
• 1969 – Dr. Paul E. Grabill – English
• 1970 – Dr. Orville J. Jaebker – History
• 1971 – Dr. Arthur B. Aarstad – Political Science
• 1972 – Mr. Ludwig A. Petkovsek – Sociology
• 1973 – Dr. Warren M. Hankins – Chemistry
• 1974 – Dr. Donald W. Dunham – Biology
• 1975 – Dr. Ralph D. Coleman H'73 – Mathematics
• 1976 – Dr. Ray W. Arensman '46 – Economics
• 1977 – Dr. Virginia L. Grabill – English
• 1978 – Dr. Michael J. Carson '66 – English
• 1979 – Rev. Robert L. Kress – Philosophy
• 1980 – Dr. David A. Gugin – Political Science
• 1981 – Mrs. Dorothy M. Hausmann – Nursing
• 1982 – Mrs. Jean S. Falls – Nursing
• 1983 – Dr. Samuel E. Longmire – English
• 1984 – Dr. Michael A. Zimmer – Economics
• 1985 – Dr. Karen J. Ott – Biology
• 1986 – Dr. Benny R. Riley – Physics
• 1987 – Dr. David E. Wright – Music
• 1988 – Mr. Leslie Miley, Jr. – Art
• 1989 – Dr. John W. Haegert – English
• 1990 – Dr. Donald P. Richardson – English
• 1991 – Dr. Larry W. Caldwell – English
• 1992 – Dr. Daniel J. Gahan – History
• 1993 – Dr. William Hemminger – English
• 1994 – Dr. William Connolly – Philosophy
• 1995 – Ms. Carol Dallinger – Music
• 1996 – Dr. Walayet A. Khan – Finance
• 1997 – Mr. Laurence R. Steenberg – Business
• 1998 – Dr. Brian J. Swenty – Engineering
• 1999 – Dr. Jerry Seng – Biology
• 2000 – Dr. David Dwyer – Mathematics
• 2001 – Dr. Douglas Stamps '79 – Engineering
• 2002 – Dr. Patrick Thomas – Archaeology
• 2003 – Dr. Mark Valenzuela – Civil Engineering
• 2004 – Mrs. Amy McBride-Martin – Education
• 2005 – Mr. Rob Griffith – English
• 2006 – Dr. Edward Bujak – History (Harlaxton)
• 2007 – Dr. Dianne Oliver – Religion
• 2008 – Dr. William Stroube – Health Services Administration
• 2009 – Dr. James MacLeod – History
• 2010 – Mr. Jeff Tilley – Exercise Science
• 2011 – Dr. James Berry – Anthropology
• 2012 – Dr. Mari Plikuhn – Sociology
• 2013 – Dr. Mark Valenzuela – Civil Engineering
• 2014 – Dr. Jennie Ebeling – Archaeology
• 2015 – Dr. Margaret Stevenson – Psychology
• 2016 – Dr. Kevin Gray – Sociology & Criminal Justice
• 2017 – Dr. Mary Ellen Wylie – Music
• 2018 – Dr. Anthony Beavers – Philosophy
• 2019 – Dr. Atefeh Yazdanparast Ardestani – Marketing
• 2020 – Dr. Mike Roscoe – Physician Assistant Science
• 2021 – Dr. Julie Merkle – Biology
• 2022 – Dr. Katie Whetstone – Physical Therapy
• 2023 – Dr. James Ware – Classical Studies & Religion
• 2024 –  Dr. Diana Rodriguez Quevedo – Languages and Cultures

The Outstanding Teacher Award was sponsored by the UE Alumni Association from 1968-2021.