The Penn State York Scholarship Award recognizes outstanding achievement in research and/or creative accomplishment within the prior three years, in the context of a sustained record of scholarship. It is not a lifetime achievement award. The Penn State York community considers research and creative accomplishments essential to vibrant campus climate, and the award celebrates the diverse contributions of Penn State York faculty in a variety of disciplines and modes.

Eligibility

Faculty of all ranks are eligible for the award. Faculty holding full-time administrative positions are not eligible for the award. Award recipients are ineligible to receive the award for three years after receipt of award, and then only with evidence of substantial new contributions. Prior award recipients are Joy Giguere, Sukhdeep Gill, and Jorge Santiago-Blay.

Nomination

Nominations may be made by faculty members within the Penn State system. Nominations are accepted until January 15 of the academic year in which the award is to be made. Self-nominations are accepted. The director of Academic Affairs (DAA) will notify all nominees immediately following the deadline; nominees then decide whether to accept or decline the nomination. Complete nomination packets (see below for materials) are due to the DAA’s office by March 1. The nominee is responsible for making sure that all materials are provided to the DAA in a timely manner. Incomplete nomination packets will not be forwarded to the committee.

Presentation

The award will be presented in April at the annual Academic Awards event.

Materials for Review:

  • A list of last three year’s Research and Creative Accomplishments directly obtained from the Digital Measures, or if not available, a current CV
  • A maximum one-page Research Statement summarizing the nominee’s scholarship of research and/or creative accomplishments, current work, and future direction and potential of his/her work

Scholarship Award Subcommittee

As a subcommittee of the Faculty Affairs Committee of the Campus Senate, the Scholarship Award Subcommittee will submit a short report detailing its activities and names of the award recipients in time for inclusion in the Fall Faculty Affairs Committee Report to the Faculty Senate.

Selection of Scholarship Award Subcommittee

In its final form, the subcommittee will consist of five members: the winners of the three prior year awards, each serving a three-year term; the chair-elect of the campus senate; and a faculty member appointed jointly by the DAA and Chancellor. The committee composition is designed to bring together elected faculty leaders and those who have met the criteria for the award as well as maintaining representation among faculty of different ranks.

  • Selection of Subcommittee Chair: The subcommittee will select a chair from amongst its members.
  • The faculty member appointed jointly by the DAA and the Chancellor shall serve a one-year term. In making the appointment, the DAA and the Chancellor shall take into account the representation on the subcommittee of faculty from different ranks.
  • Prior year winners will serve a three-year term on the subcommittee.
  • Recusals: In the event that a subcommittee member must recuse him or herself from deliberations due to a conflict of interest, or an open seat exists on the subcommittee, then the Senate Chair and DAA will consult to name an alternate. Further information on the university’s definition of Conflict of Interest can be found at the Office of the Senior Vice President for Research website.
  • Award nominees may not serve on the Scholarship Award Subcommittee.

Deliberations and Award

The Scholarship Award Subcommittee will review the nominees and select a recipient by April 1. In its deliberations, the subcommittee shall recognize and respect the contributions of faculty in various disciplines, judging as far as possible on the basis of the discipline’s criteria for excellence in scholarship. The committee will evaluate the nominees based on the criteria outlined below. The subcommittee may choose, under extraordinary conditions, not to make an award.

Award / Citation

A citation outlining the scholarly excellence of the awardee and signed by the Scholarship Award Subcommittee members will be presented to the awardee at the Annual Awards Ceremony. The acting chair will present this citation. It is the responsibility of the chair to work with the Director of Academic Affairs in securing the certificate as well as funds for the monetary prize ($750 at the time of initiation). The awardee may choose to take the prize in cash or as professional development funds.

Evaluation Criteria

Scholarship and creative accomplishments will be judged on the basis of originality and significance to the discipline.

  • Originality: The degree to which the work represents the development of new knowledge in a creative manner and with independent insight;
  • Experimental Practices: The degree to which the work involved developing innovative hypotheses or new and superior experimental technologies; and
  • Presentation: The degree to which products and results were presented to the disciplinary community with clarity through timely presentation in appropriate venues.
  • Grants: As appropriate to the discipline, evidence of external funding demonstrating the significance of the work.
  • Application: Use of scholarship to advance pedagogy or community/professional practice.