Distinguished Instructor Award

What Is It?

The Distinguished Instructor Award (DIA) is Lakehead University’s most prestigious teaching award and recognizes an outstanding individual who has made a significant contribution to teaching excellence and educational innovation and leadership at the University over a number of years. Only one award per year is bestowed.

  • The recipient is honoured during a public lecture, is announced and acknowledged at Senate in the Fall, and is publicly recognized at Convocation.
  • Recipients also receive a monetary award of $2,000.00.
  • Nominations can be made by Lakehead University faculty members, deans, directors, or department chairs.
  • The call for nominations opens annually on or before February 1 and closes March 31.

Deadlines

  • For nominations: March 31 (opens February 1)
  • For submission of supporting documentation: May 30 

Eligibility

  • A nominee must be a Lakehead University instructor who has made significant contributions to teaching excellence and educational innovation and leadership over a number of years.
  • The Selection Committee assesses eligibility in light of the direction given by Senate at their October and November meetings.

Nominated By

  • Faculty member, dean, director, or department chair

Selection Committee

  • The awards selection committee is made up of all voting members of the Senate Teaching and Learning Committee, with the exception of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Deputy Provost, and Vice-Provost Teaching and Learning.

Policy

How to Nominate your Colleague?

  1. Complete the DIA Nomination Form (.doc).
  2. Prepare your nomination letter (up to 2 pages).
  3. Optional - Seek a second nomination letter (up to 2 pages).
  4. Submit both documents via e-mail to teachingcommons@lakeheadu.ca
  5. Nominations are received by the Chair of the Senate Teaching and Learning Committee. 

Information for Nominees

Distinguished Instructor Award (DIA) nominees are notified by the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic). 

Once nominated, the nominee is asked to submit a Teaching Dossier, addressing the DIA Policy's criteria for selection.

  • The Selection Committee reviews nominees for eligibility and their dossiers for evidence of significant contribution to teaching excellence and educational innovation and leadership at the University over a number of years.
  • Nominees are encouraged to contact the Teaching Commons for assistance with the preparation of their teaching dossiers.
  • Supporting documentation is to be submitted by the eligible nominee no later than May 30.

Completed teaching dossiers are submitted to the Chair, Senate Teaching & Learning Committee, c/o Teaching Commons, teachingcommons@lakeheadu.ca.

Past Distinguished Instructor Award Recipients

  • Dr. Mohammad Uddin (2023) - Department of Electrical Engineering
  • Dr. Gerald Walton (2021) - Faculty of Education
  • Dr. Alice den Otter (2020) - English and Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Dr. Camillo Lento (2019) - Faculty of Business Administration
  • Dr. Carney Matheson (2018) - Anthropology 
  • Dr. Wayne Melville (2017) - Faculty of Education
  • Dr. Scott Pound (2015) - English
  • Dr. Judith Leggatt (2012) - English
  • Dr. Pamela Wakewich (2011) - Sociology and Women's Studies
  • Dr. Mary Louise Hill (2010) - Geology
  • Dr. Syed Islam (2009) - Political Science
  • Dr. Bruce Strang (2008) - History (formerly)
  • Dr. Philip Fralick (2007) - Geology
  • Dr. Ulf Runesson (2006) - Forestry and the Forest Environment
  • Dr. Walter Epp (2005) - Faculty of Education
  • Dr. Margaret McKee (2004) - Social Work
  • Dr. J. Michael Richardson (2003) - English
  • Dr. Tom Potter (2002) - Outdoor Recreation, Parks & Tourism
  • Dr. Rick Holmes (2000) - English
  • Dr. Ken Brown (1999) - Forestry and the Forest Environment (Emeritus)
  • Dr. Kim Fedderson (1998) - English (formerly)
  • Jeanette Lyons (1997) - English (formerly)
  • Dr. Jane Taylor (1996) - Kinesiology (Emeritus)
  • Dr. Inderjit Nirdosh (1995) - Chemical Engineering
  • Dr. Darlene Steven (1994) - Nursing
  • Dr. Victor Smith (1993) - History
  • Dr. W. G. Heath (1992) - English (Emeritus)
  • Dr. S. Ali Mirza (1991) - Civil Engineering (Emeritus)
  • Dr. Peggy Tripp (1990) - Biology (deceased)
  • Dr. Manfred Kehlenbeck (1989) - Geology (Emeritus)
  • Dr. Penny Petrone (1988) - Education