Awards

Award: $3000

Eligibility: Full-time faculty in the Humanities

The humanities disciplines include art, classics, communication studies, English, history, modern languages and literatures, journalism, libraries, music, philosophy, theatre arts, military science, museum, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, and community and regional planning.

The Annis Chaikin Sorensen Award was established to commemorate the legacy of Annis Chaikin Sorensen. The Award recognizes an individual for his/her outstanding teaching in the humanities. 

Annis Chaikin Sorensen, a Nebraska native, obtained her bachelor’s degree in 1908 and master’s degree in 1909 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Annis married Christian A. Sorensen, a Nebraska native who graduated with a law degree from the university and would go on to serve as the Nebraska attorney general. Their son, Theodore (Ted) Sorensen, who received bachelor's and law degrees at Nebraska, served as President John F. Kennedy’s special counsel and primary speechwriter.

Annis is remembered for her philanthropic involvement in human rights. She held leadership positions in the American Association of University Women, Nebraska Alumni Association, and the Jewish Big Sisters Society.

Award: $5000 ($3000 professional development fund and $2000 salary supplement, distributed over two years)

Eligibility: Full-time pre-tenure faculty, with three full years remaining in the pre-tenure probationary period.

The Harold & Esther Edgerton Junior Faculty Award is presented each year to honor an outstanding junior faculty member who has demonstrated creative research, extraordinary teaching abilities, and academic promise.

Harold Edgerton, a Nebraska native, received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1925. He then became a professor of electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he was credited with advancing research and development in sonar and deep-sea photography.

Esther Edgerton, also a Nebraska native, received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics, music, and education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A skilled pianist and singer, she attended the New England Conservatory of Music and would go on to teach in public schools in Nebraska and Boston.

Award: $1000

Eligibility: Full-time faculty or staff members with job descriptions that include undergraduate advising (defined as having an official role in MyRED as an undergraduate academic advisor)

The Dr. Charles Riedesel Outstanding Academic Advising Award recognizes an exceptional faculty or staff member who directly delivers advising services to undergraduates. Examples of outstanding advising include going beyond basic job duties and responsibilities, providing support, empowerment, coaching, counseling, and guidance to enable students to succeed academically and in life. The award is named for Dr. Charles Riedesel, former advisor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University, who devoted much of his time to recruiting and advising computer science and engineering majors. The time of service for the nominee to be considered should include the past year, but may extend back through the career at UNL. 

Award: $1000

Eligibility: Full-time faculty or staff

The James O’Hanlon Award honors an academic leader who has demonstrated exceptional abilities to lead, serve, inspire, and collaborate on the academic goals of the university. The award is named for Dr. James O’Hanlon, who served the university in academic leadership positions for over 30 years. 

Dr. James O’Hanlon was a professor in the College of Education and Human Sciences with expertise in academic leadership. O'Hanlon previously served as dean of Teachers College, associate vice chancellor for Extended Education, interim director of the Nebraska Alumni Association, interim director of the Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, interim dean of the College of Engineering, interim dean of the College of Architecture, and interim dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. He has led the university’s re-accreditation report development.

From 1982-97 O’Hanlon was the university's faculty athletics representative to the Big 8 (later Big 12) Conference, serving as chair in 1990, and a member of the NCAA Governing Council for four years. O’Hanlon received the NU Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award early in his career and served as Faculty Senate president. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Alumni Association in 2012.

Award: $1000

Eligibility: Full-time faculty and staff

The Nancy Kenny Award honors an individual of integrity who has demonstrated exceptional collaborative leadership in academic business matters at the university. The award is named for Nancy Kenny, who served the university in business leadership positions across the campus. Nancy Kenny, a Nebraska native, received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Kenny joined the university in 1997 and served as assistant to the dean in the College of Arts and Science, director of fiscal management services in Fiscal Affairs, associate director/chief financial officer of Husker Athletics, and assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. Nancy spent her career searching for creative solutions to problems that provided significant benefits to deans, directors and fellow business professionals. Nancy had a passion for music which she shared in her daily interactions with her colleagues. Kenny retired in 2012.

Award: $4000

Eligibility: Faculty, staff, and students.

The Dennis Molfese, Sue Venteicher, and David Hansen Hero Award is an annual award, recognizing a faculty member, staff member, or student whose courageous and unselfish act saved the life of another person.

In the U.S., thirteen people die each day from kidney disease. Fortunately, Dennis Molfese was one of the lucky 5% who received a kidney transplant from a living donor. Dennis, his donor Sue, and his colleague Dave participated in the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine's 18-person transplant chain — nine donors and nine recipients — the largest internal transplant chain ever completed in Nebraska. Victoria and Dennis Molfese created this award to honor Sue Venteicher and David Hansen for their heroism in saving the life of another and to recognize others within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln community who demonstrate life-saving efforts in their service to others.

Award: $1000

Eligibility: Full-time faculty

The Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence in mentoring and supporting undergraduate researchers. Excellent undergraduate mentors support students through their availability, attentiveness, encouragement, and understanding. Strong nominations will demonstrate excellence in mentoring by supporting and influencing students’ educational and career paths. Examples may include peer-reviewed publications involving undergraduates; student presentations, awards, or scholarships; and evidence of continued success of mentored students.

Award: $1000

Eligibility: full-time staff who support faculty

The Exceptional Excellence Award recognizes a member of university staff who has shown exceptional support to a faculty member, exceeding their job expectations and contributing to the success of the faculty member's teaching and/or research. 

Award: $150 awarded by Board of Regents supplemented with $850 from the Executive Vice Chancellor

Eligibility: Full-time managerial/professional and office/service staff from units reporting to the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor

The President and the Board of Regents have established the Kudos Awards to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding employees from across the four University of Nebraska campuses. These awards are particularly intended to spotlight employees that deserve special recognition for going above and beyond the call of duty.

At UNL, Chancellor and Vice Chancellors each select one recipient for the Kudos Award throughout the year. Units reporting to the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor are invited to submit nominations during the annual call for EVC Office awards. The recipient is recognized at a Board of Regents meeting.