The W. Russell Smith Award, established in 1981, is the College's highest honor for teaching excellence. The selection of a recipient is based primarily on nominations by graduating seniors who are asked to nominate up to three of their professors who have taught for at least three years in the College.

What adds to the prestige of this award is the number of faculty members who are nominated by students. This year, more than 160 faculty members received at least one nomination from a student, and more than 130 received more than one nomination, certainly a testimony to the high quality and broad impact of the teaching in our college.

The award consists of a plaque and a cash award. This year's winner of the W. Russell Smith Award for Teaching Excellence is Dr. Joe Ventimiglia of the Department of Sociology.

Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website for a list of past recipients.