ADT Mission Statement
The mission of the Academy of Distinguished Teachers is to recognize and celebrate teaching excellence, to foster the continued improvement of teaching and learning at the University of Minnesota, and to strengthen the resources necessary to do so.
History
Former University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof established the Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 1999 in recognition of the importance of outstanding teaching to the University. Winners of both the Horace T. Morse-University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award and the Award for Contributions to Postbaccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional Education comprise the membership of the Academy. The Academy inducts award winners annually at a spring awards ceremony. Members of the Academy provide leadership to the University, serving as mentors, advisers, and spokespersons for the University’s teaching mission.
The Horace T. Morse – University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award recognizes excellence in contributing directly and indirectly to student learning through teaching, research, creative activities, advising, academic program development, and educational leadership. Given each year since 1965, the award represents the highest recognition by the University community of its most distinguished scholar-teachers. The award is named for the late Horace T. Morse, first dean of the General College (1934-60) and a national leader in the field of undergraduate education. The same year the Academy was established (1999), the Award for Contributions to Postbaccalaureate, Graduate, and Professional Education was initiated in recognition of faculty members for excellence in instruction, instructional program development, intellectual distinction, advising and mentoring, and involvement of students in research, scholarship, and professional development at the graduate and professional level.
Candidates for both awards are nominated through their colleges on all four University of Minnesota campuses. Students, departments, or other administrative units, student organizations or associations, and individual faculty members may initiate nominations. The Senate Committee on Educational Policy selects the award recipients.