Excellence in Teaching Awards

Since 1989, the UVic Alumni Association has honoured outstanding teaching by the university's faculty and instructors. We are proud of our role in recognizing UVic teaching of the highest calibre.
In 2005, the award began to be granted in two categories: The Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching and Educational Leadership is for faculty members, artists-in-residence and librarians. The Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching is for sessional lecturers, lab instructors and senior lab instructors.
Harry Hickman had a distinguished career as a scholar, teacher, principal of Victoria College, acting president of the University of Victoria, and head of the Modern Languages and French departments. The Harry Hickman Building houses the university's Learning and Teaching Centre.
Gilian Sherwin was a senior lab instructor in the Geography department for 21 years. She was a supporter of better teaching at the university, an active member of the advisory committee of the Learning and Teaching Centre, and a regular participant in the training of teaching assistants.
Each award includes a $2,000-cash prize and photo portraits of award winners are displayed in the main stairwell of the McPherson Library.
If you have questions about the nomination process, contact UVic Alumni Relations at 250-721-6000 or the director of the Learning and Teaching Centre at 250-721-8571.
2017
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Brian Leacock
2016
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Janni Aragon, Director, Technology Integrated Learning
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Valerie D'Erman, Department of Political Science
2015
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Brent Mainprize, Gustavson School of Business
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Prof. Mark Bridge, Gustavson School of Business
2014
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. David Blades, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Rebecca Gagan, Department of English
2013
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Mark Colgate, Gustavson School of Business
Prof. Jin-Sun Yoon, Child and Youth Care
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Kristin Semmens, History
2012
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Annalee Lepp, Women's Studies
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Alex van Netten, Physics & Astronomy
2011
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Gary MacGillivray, Mathematics and Statistics
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Andrew Wender, Political Science and History
2010
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Mary Sanseverino, Computer Science
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Ranald Donaldson, Anthropology
2009
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
No recipient.
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Stefan Scott, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education
2008
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Catherine Gaul, Faculty of Education/Island Medical Program
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Barbara Currie, Biochemistry and Microbiology
2007
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Michael Webb, Political Science
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Professor Glenn Gallins, Faculty of Law
2006
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Ed Ishiguro, Biochemistry and Microbiology
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Kelli Fawkes, Chemistry
2005
Harry Hickman Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Martin Smith, Psychology
Gilian Sherwin Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching
David Clenman, School of Music
2004
Dr. Gweneth Doane, Nursing
2003
Professor John Kilcoyne, Law
2002
Dr. David Lai, Geography
2001
Dr. Susan Elderkin, English
Dr. Reg Mitchell, Chemistry
Professor Deborah Yaffe, Women Studies
2000
Dr. Edward Berry, English
Professor Elsie Chan, Sociology
Dr. Richard King, Pacific Asian Studies
1999
Dr. A.R. Elangovan, Business
Dr. Gerry Poulton, Chemistry
Professor Juliana Saxton, Theatre
1998
Dr. Philip Dearden, Geography
Dr. Alison Preece, Education
Professor Jamie Cassels, Law
1997
Dr. Joan Backus, Music
Dr. David Berry, Chemistry
1996
Dr. Kathryn Kerby-Fulton, English
Prof. Barbara Whittington, Social Work
1995
Dr. Aaron Devor, Sociology
Dr. Antoinette Oberg, Communication & Social Foundations
Dr. Terry Wuester, Law
1994
Dr. William E. Pfaffenberger, Mathematics & Statistics
Dr. Ron Podhorodeski, Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Christine St. Peter, Women's Studies
1993
Dr. James C. McDavid, Public Administation
Dr. Hiroko Noro, Pacific & Asian Studies
1992
Dr. Anthony Jenkins, English
1991
Prof. Pat Martin Bates,Visual Arts
Dr. Thomas R. Cleary, English
Dr. Wu-Sheng Lu, Engineering
1990
Dr. Howard A. Wenger, Physical Education
1989
Dr. Elizabeth Tumasonis, History in Art
Note: Deadline for 2016 nominations is now closed.
Please follow the following links to the Learning and Teaching Centre website for award guidelines and nomination forms: