College Awards
Each year, the College of Arts and Letters honors outstanding faculty for their work in the areas of teaching, research, and graduate student mentoring.
Sheedy Excellence in Teaching Award
The Sheedy Excellence in Teaching Award is presented each December to an outstanding teacher in the College of Arts and Letters. The College's highest teaching award was founded in 1970 in honor of Rev. Charles E. Sheedy, C.S.C., who served as dean of the College from 1952–68, and acknowledges a faculty member who has sustained excellence in research and instruction over a wide range of courses. This individual must also motivate and enrich students using innovative and creative teaching methods and influence teaching and learning within the department, College, and University.
The Arts & Letters Research Achievement Award
Established in 2022–23, the Research Achievement Award is bestowed annually on one member of the tenured faculty in the College who has demonstrated outstanding and significant scholarly achievement. The ideal candidate will have a strong and sustained record of scholarly accomplishment, distinguished by an exceptional publication record and corresponding evidence of disciplinary impact. This faculty member should consistently demonstrate extraordinary innovation or creativity, leadership in their field, and engagement with Notre Dame’s research and educational mission. This individual must have been on the faculty at Notre Dame for at least 5 consecutive years.
The Arts & Letters Graduate Student Mentorship Award
The Graduate Student Mentorship Award is presented each spring to a member of the tenured faculty in the College who has demonstrated outstanding scholarly mentorship of, and professional care for, doctoral or MFA students. The ideal candidate will have a strong and sustained record of extensive graduate mentorship, evidenced by uncommon student success (e.g., graduation rates, publications, and placements). He or she should also have a consistent and extraordinary commitment to developing students as teachers and departmental citizens. This individual must have been on the faculty at Notre Dame for at least 5 consecutive years.