Award: $3000
Eligibility: Full-time faculty in the Humanities
The Annis Chaikin Sorensen Award is an annual award presented to recognize an individual for his/her outstanding teaching in the humanities. The humanities disciplines include art, classics, communication studies, English, history, modern languages and literatures, journalism, libraries, music, philosophy, theatre arts, ROTC, museum, and members of the faculty in the athletic department and all units in the College of Architecture. Awardees are recognized at The Laurels annual award reception.
Nomination Instructions
Before submitting the nomination form, compile the documents listed below in the order shown and save as one PDF file.
- Nomination letter from the nominee's chair: Please address the individual's success in teaching. It is especially helpful to reference student evaluations, classroom visits, or other peer-review activities (maximum 3 pages).
- An endorsement from the nominee's college dean, in support of the individual's nomination.
- Abbreviated curriculum vitae: Please include a listing of all courses taught in the last three years and highlight published works which took place while at the university. For multi-author materials, please specify your contributions (maximum 5 pages).
- Self-reflection on teaching: Please provide a brief description of your teaching philosophy, work with curricular development (courses developed, modified, etc.), and engagement in department- or campus-level discussion on pedagogy (maximum 3 pages).
About the Award
The Annis Chaikin Sorensen Award was established to commemorate the legacy of Annis Chaikin Sorensen.
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.
Past Awardees
| Year | Recipient | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kelly Stage | English |
| 2023 | Tom Gannon | English and Ethnic Studies |
| 2022 | Roland Végsö | English |
| 2021 | Amelia Montes | English and Ethnic Studies |
| 2020 | David Karle | Architecture, Landscape Architecture |
| 2019 | Jeannette Jones | History, Ethnic Studies |
| 2018 | Stephen Behrendt | English |
| 2017 | Julia Schleck | English |
| 2016 | Maureen Honey | English |
| 2015 | Thomas Borstelmann | History |
| 2014 | Carole Levin | History |
| 2013 | Diane Barger | School of Music |
| 2012 | Priscilla Hayden-Roy | Modern Languages & Literature |
| 2011 | Joy Castro | English |
| 2010 | Laura White | English |
| 2009 | Deborah Minter | English |
| 2008 | Nicholas P Spencer | English |
| 2007 | Elizabeth Ingraham | Art & Art History |
| 2006 | Francis W Kaye | English |
| 2005 | Adelaida López de Martínez | Modern Languages & Literatures |
| 2004 | Kenneth Winkle | History |
| 2003 | Venetria Patton | English |
| 2002 | Donna D Harler-Smith | School of Music |
| 2001 | Christin J Mamiya | Art & Art History |
| 2000 | Rashmi D Bhatnagar | English |
| 1999 | John R Bailey | School of Music |
| 1998 | Grace Bauer | English |
| 1997 | George H Ritchie | School of Music |
| 1996 | Christina Brantner | Modern Languages & Literatures |
| 1995 | Nicole Smith | Modern Languages & Literatures |
| 1994 | John R Wunder | History |
| 1993 | Charles W Mignon | English |
| 1992 | Joy S Ritchie | English |
| 1991 | Katherine Ronald | English |
| 1990 | Stephen C Behrendt | English |
| 1989 | Leslie T Whipp | English |
| 1988 | Edward L Homze | History |
| 1987 | Moira C Ferguson | English |
| 1986 | Susan J Rosowski | English |
| 1985 | James A McShane | English |
| 1984 | Robert C Hillestad | Textiles, Clothing & Design |
| 1983 | Marie J Sanwick | Dance |
| 1982 | Gene B Hardy | English |
| 1981 | David E Van de Bogart | School of Music |
| 1980 | Nels Forde | History |
| 1979 | Paul A Olson | English |
| 1978 | Alan P Bates | Sociology |
| 1977 | Robert E Dewey | Philosophy |
| 1976 | Leslie C Duly | History |
| 1975 | Bernice Slote | English |
| 1974 | Wilbur G Gaffney | English |
| 1973 | Robert L Hough | English |
| 1972 | Jimmy D Patten | Journalism |
| 1971 | Larry H Lusk | School of Music |
| 1970 | Lloyd D Teale | Romance Languages |