Herman B Wells Professorship

Recognizing extraordinary scholarship and teaching

The Herman B Wells Professorship was endowed by the IU Bloomington classes of 1948 and 1950 to honor Herman B Wells, Indiana University’s 11th president from 1937 until he retired in 1962 and university chancellor from 1962 until his death in 2000.

The award recognizes faculty on the Bloomington campus who embrace deep concern for the well-being of students and devotion to diversity, inclusion, and academic excellence, reflecting the values of Herman B Wells. Chosen faculty are also extraordinary scholars and teachers who have been inspirational instructors of undergraduate students.

Eligibility

Full-time, full professors on the IU Bloomington campus are eligible for nomination.

Nomination process

The primary nominator for this recognition must be a school or academic units' dean or associate/assistant dean. Please confirm you are eligible to submit this nomination.

The dossier should include:

The official nomination letter should not exceed three typed pages. It should demonstrate why the faculty member being nominated makes a unique contribution. In particular, it must address and cite evidence concerning:

Why the research/creative activity is extraordinary in quality and originality and has had an impact on other researchers (ideas, theory, or methods) at Indiana University, nationally, and worldwide. Specific examples should be included.
Why the candidate is an outstanding teacher both in and outside of the classroom. We are especially interested in teaching creatively and the influence on both undergraduate and graduate students. The letter should also cite specific, concrete examples such as outstanding curricula development, high quality textbooks, online courses created, and so forth. It should also cite evidence of teaching effectiveness.
Why the individual’s teaching and research are complementary and reinforcing.

We recommend no more than four letters of support that evaluate outstanding achievement in the areas of teaching and research/creative activity. Letters of support may be solicited from faculty at IU or elsewhere, current and former students, or any other knowledgeable individuals inside or outside of IU Bloomington.

Each of the letters of recommendation should be no longer than two typed pages. Each letter should be solicited by the nominator and include in the dossier submitted by the nominator. The nominator should include a list with contact information for each person writing a support letter.

Include a current curriculum vitae.

Include a current list of the candidate’s teaching activities, including the type of teaching, the section number, name, and size of the courses, or the number of students receiving one-on-one instruction taught during the last five years.

Information about awards to past students and/or publications or employment of past students is also relevant.

A total of no more than eight pieces of evidence of the candidate’s best work should be included in the dossier.

The committee values quality of documentation rather than quantity.

How to submit the dossier

When all materials have been assembled by the nominator, please submit via the online form managed by the OVPFAA office.

View the nomination form here

If you have any questions regarding the nomination and selection process, please contact our office at 812-855-9973 or email vpfaa@indiana.edu.