The Office of the Provost at Boston University invites everyone—faculty, students, staff, and alumni—to nominate outstanding educators for the University-wide Teaching Awards. Nominations are open until October 24. This is a wonderful opportunity to highlight exceptional teaching at BU.
The awards include the prestigious Metcalf Cup and Prize, along with the Metcalf Awards for Excellence in Teaching, the Gerald and Deanne Gitner Family Award for Innovation in Teaching with Technology, and the Provost’s Scholar-Teacher of the Year Award.
The Metcalf Cup and Prize is the highest honor for teaching at BU. It recognizes faculty who show excellence in their teaching methods and a passion for innovation. One faculty member will receive $10,000, and up to two others will be honored with $5,000 each.
The Gitner Award focuses on those who creatively use technology to improve undergraduate learning. One recipient will be awarded $10,000 for their innovative efforts.
The Provost’s Scholar-Teacher of the Year Award recognizes faculty who shine both as scholars and as teachers. This winner will also receive $5,000.
To nominate someone, simply fill out the nomination form on the University-Wide Teaching Awards webpage and email it to apunderg@bu.edu by October 24. For more information about the awards and past recipients, visit the Provost’s website.
According to recent surveys, recognition for teaching excellence is increasingly viewed as crucial for faculty morale and student success. Research indicates that motivated educators lead to better student performance, creating a more engaging classroom environment. The response to past awards has been overwhelmingly positive, with many faculty members expressing that it boosts motivation and sparks new ideas in their teaching methods.
For any questions, reach out to Kristen Vellinga at vellinga@bu.edu.
Posted on October 21, 2025
