In support of the UNC System’s mission, the Board of Governors honors and recognizes excellence in areas of teaching, research, and public service through the following awards.
OLIVER MAX GARDNER AWARD
The Gardner Award is an annual award, first presented in 1949. It recognizes a member of the UNC System faculty who, during the current scholastic year, has made “the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race.” The award is the highest honor the System confers on faculty. All faculty members, from across all 17 constituent institutions, are eligible.
Nominations for the 2026 Oliver Max Gardner Award are currently being accepted from UNC institutions, until January 16, 2026.
Previous Recipients
Dr. Yeoheung Yun, 2022
Ralph Baric, 2021
Samantha Meltzer-Brody, 2020
Sy Atezaz Saeed, 2019
Ruben G. Carbonell, 2018
THE GOVERNOR JAMES E. HOLSHOUSER, JR. AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE
The Public Service Award is an annual award, created in 2007 to encourage, identify, recognize, and reward public service by faculty of the University. Faculty of any of the 17 institutions of the University of North Carolina are eligible. At its August 2013 meeting, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a resolution to rename the award after Governor James E. Holshouser, Jr.
Nominations for the 2025 Gov. James E. Holshouser, Jr. Award are not currently being accepted. The 2025 awardees will be/was announced on February 26, 2026.
Previous Recipients
Dr. Cherry Beasley, 2022
Bonnie Fusarelli, 2022
Jane Hoppin, 2021
Arwin D. Smallwood, 2021
Billy Ogletree, 2020
Mark West, 2019
Martin Posey, 2019
David Westling, 2018
Walt Wolfram, 2018
Dr. Gregory Chadwick, 2017
Steve McKeand, 2016
Carmen Russoniello, 2015
Sylvia A. Flack, 2015
Kurt D. Michael, 2014
Ben Bahr, 2013
AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
The Teaching Awards were established in 1994 to underscore the importance of teaching and to encourage, identify, recognize, reward, and support good teaching within the University. Every year, a faculty member from each constituent institution receives this award.
2026 AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING
UNC Board of Governors selects recipients of 2026 Awards for Excellence in Teaching
Elizabeth Shay
Appalachian State University
Randall Etheridge
East Carolina University
Andre Stevenson
Elizabeth City State University
Melissa Haithcox-Dennis
Fayetteville State University
Jessica Han
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Rachelle Gold
North Carolina Central University
Katie Sheats
NC State University
Patrick Foo
University of North Carolina Asheville
Valérie Pruvost
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Susana Cisneros
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Jeff Sarbaum
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Jamie Litty
University of North Carolina Pembroke
Jared Redick
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Diana Ashe
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Brian Byrd
Western Carolina University
Eric Greaux
Winston-Salem State University
John Woodmansee
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics