Academic Senate

3 year term, 2 members per college

*Denotes Committee Chair
**Denotes Ex-officio (Provost’s nominees)

2 year term, 1 per college

3 year term, 1 per college, 3 at-large

3 year term, 5 members elected at-large

Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Award for Leadership and Service recognizes a faculty member for exemplary leadership, service and contributions to University committees, the local and professional communities/societies, the development and implementation of University policies and programs through non-administrative roles, and for making documentable impact on the quality of the University and demonstrating a commitment to high standards of professional life. Examples of areas of leadership and service include, but are not limited to, faculty/shared governance, major curricular reform or program development, chairing an academic program, fostering collaboration between or among departments, divisions or schools, exemplary mentoring for other faculty, and exceptional contributions to achieving one or more goals of the University, while embodying the values of the University. Candidates are nominated by their college (one per college) and chosen by the University Faculty Affairs committee. Colleges are encouraged to develop a faculty driven process for selecting their nominees to this award. Award recipient will receive a medallion, plaque (or presentation case) and $1000 award. The award will be presented during the University Convocation ceremony, and the recipient’s name added to a cumulative plaque.

The nomination packet should include a letter of nomination detailing the reason for the nomination, list and length of service for University committees the faculty member is serving on (member or Chair), service to the local communities, a copy of the nominees Curriculum Vitae (highlighting recent achievements), and other related evidence.

Based upon the requirements for the Harriet K. and Philip Pumerantz Award for Leadership and Service, nomination materials should include:

• Cover page (name of nominee, title, email, phone, nominator’s name and signature)
• Letter of nomination detailing the reason for the nomination, and the impact of the faculty member’s leadership and service
• A list and length of service for University committees the faculty member is serving on (indicate whether member or Chair), as well as list and description of service to the local communities
• A curriculum vitae limited to ten pages with recent achievements highlighted
• A letter (limited to two-three pages) of recommendation from the nominator (dean, or department/unit supervisor)
• Other related evidence or documentation

Previous Award Recipients

2018-2019

• Kierstyn Napier-Dovorany, OD, FAAO
• Associate Professor, College of Optometry

2017-2018

• Malika Kachani, DVM, PhD, NAPF
• Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine

2016-2017

• Bennett McAllister, OD
• Associate Professor, College of Optometry

2015-2016

• Elizabeth Boynton, DVM. FNAP
• Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine

2014-2015

• Fadi Khasawneh, PhD
• Associate Professor, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences

2013-2014

• Wael Khamas, BVM&S, MS, PhD
• Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine

Provost’s Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes exceptional scholarly and research accomplishments and achievements, contribution to the research mission of the University, and a commitment to high standards of professional life by a faculty member. Candidates are nominated by their college (one per college) and chosen by the University Faculty Affairs committee. Colleges are encouraged to develop a faculty driven process for selecting their nominees to this award. Award recipient will receive a medallion, plaque (or presentation case) and $1000 award. The award will be presented during the University Convocation ceremony, and the recipient’s name added to a cumulative plaque.

The nomination materials should include a letter of nomination detailing reason for the nomination, the faculty member’s research and other scholarly accomplishments in the previous three academic years (e.g., extramural grant/contract funding; peer-and non-peer reviewed publications and book chapters; intramural grant funding; published abstracts; invited presentations; grant submissions; leadership in scientific societies), impact of the nominee’s research, a copy of their Curriculum Vitae, and other related evidence.

Based upon the requirements for the Provost’s Distinguished Scholar Award, nomination materials should include:

• Cover page (name of nominee, title, email, phone, nominator’s name and signature)
• Letter of nomination detailing the reason for the nomination
• A description of the faculty member’s research and other scholarly accomplishments in the previous three academic years (e.g., extramural grant/contract funding; peer-and non-peer reviewed publications and book chapters; intramural grant funding; published abstracts; invited presentations; grant submissions; leadership in scientific societies)
• A curriculum vitae limited to ten pages with achievements in the last three academic years highlighted
• A letter (limited to two-three pages) of recommendation from the nominator (dean, or department/unit supervisor)
• Other related evidence or documentation

Previous Award Recipients

2018-2019

• Vishwanath Venketaraman, PhD
• Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

2017-2018

• Edward Wagner, PhD
• Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

2016-2017

• Mohammad Mir, PhD
• Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine

2015-2016

• Pinakin Davey, OD, PhD
• Professor, College of Optometry

2014-2015

• Kabir Lutfy, PhD
• Professor, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences

2013-2014

No Recipient

Western University’s Distinguished Teacher Award honors excellence in teaching, contribution to the educational mission of the university, demonstrated concern for students and their learning and a commitment to high standards of professional life by a faculty member. Candidates are nominated by their college (one per college) and chosen by the University Faculty Affairs committee. Colleges are encouraged to develop a faculty driven process for selecting their nominees to this award. Award recipient will receive a medallion, plaque (or presentation case) and $1000 award. The award will be presented during the University Convocation ceremony, and the recipient’s name added to a cumulative plaque.

The nomination packet should include a letter of nomination detailing the reason for the nomination, nominee’s personal statement of teaching philosophy, faculty member’s teaching related accomplishments for which they are being considered as evidenced by peer and/or student teaching scores/evaluations, scholarship of teaching, design of new and innovative teaching methods or modalities, description of new courses, and a copy of the nominees Curriculum Vitae (highlighting recent achievements).

Based upon the requirements for the WesternU Distinguished Teacher Award, nomination materials should include:

• Cover page (name of nominee, title, email, phone, nominator’s name and signature)
• Letter of nomination detailing the reason for the nomination
• A copy of the nominee’s personal statement of teaching philosophy
• A description of the faculty member’s teaching related accomplishments for which they are being considered as evidenced by peer and/or student teaching scores/evaluations, scholarship of teaching, design of new and innovative teaching methods or modalities, description of new courses, etc.
• A curriculum vitae limited to ten pages with recent achievements highlighted
• A letter (limited to two-three pages) of recommendation from the nominator (dean, or department/unit supervisor)
• Other related evidence or documentation

Previous Award Recipients

2018-2019

• Colleehn Talbot, PhD
• Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

2017-2018

• Donald Hsu, Pharm.D.
• Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy

2016-2017

• Vishwanath Venketaraman, PhD
• Associate Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

2015-2016

• Jasmine Yumori, OD, FAAO
• Associate Professor, College of Optometry

2014-2015

• Janice Blumer, DO
• Assistant Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific

2013-2014

• Frank Spors, MS, PhD, FAAO
• Associate Professor, College of Optometry

Shared-governance is the term that describes the procedures, and structures of organizational control, influence and decision-making processes that academic institutions develop to achieve an effective balance between the role of trustees and administration (legal authority) and the faculty (professional authority) and articulates the relationships between these authorities. A well-structured and efficiently-organized Academic/Faculty Senate, with clearly-designed standing committees are essential components of a sound system of academic governance and are essential for the effective representation of faculty in shared-governance. The Academic Senate serves as the vehicle for shared-governance.

The Provost’s Shared-Governance Travel Stipend Award is designed encourage faculty participation in the governance of the University, thereby not only promoting but also strengthening our systems and processes of shared-governance. An informed faculty, who understand the principles of faculty and shard-governance, are an empowered faculty and will serve as a strong foundation and a valuable partner for effective governance on our campus.

Ultimately, the primary objective of this travel stipend is to develop faculty members’ leadership capacities in the governance of the university through their involvement and seeking election to the Academic Senate or the standing committees of the faculty handbook. At this institute, you will learn about topics such as shared-governance in academia; faculty advocacy through understanding and strengthening faculty handbooks; effective meetings and parliamentary procedure, how to increase faculty participation in academic decision-making, amongst others.

Eligibility for this award is open to all voting members of the Academic Assembly, which is defined in the faculty handbook as follows: “A voting member of the Academic Assembly is any faculty member, employed for no less than 50% of full-time work, who performs non-administrative academic duties at least 50% of his/her contractual time. Academic duties include any combination of teaching, research, scholarly activities, clinical responsibilities and/or service.” The recipient of this award will receive a travel stipend to cover the costs of attending the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Summer Institute

The nomination packet should include a copy of their Curriculum Vitae, as well as a nomination letter (no less than 500 words, but no more than 750 words) describing the reasons for the nomination, and how they intend to contribute to, and their future goals/vision for shared-governance at WesternU. Submit the packet as an email attachment to AcademicSenate@westernu.edu by May 1, 2021. The 2021 Summer Institute will be held online and is scheduled for June 14 – 18.

Previous Award Recipients

2018-2019

No Recipient

2017-2018

• Edward Goering, DO, DVM, MSHPE
• Assistant Professor, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific – Northwest

2016-2017

• Shalechia Hunt, MSHS, PA-C
• Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences

2015-2016

• Valerie Wren, OD, FAAO
• Associate Professor, College of Optometry

2014-2015

• Brian Tessier, PA-C
• Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences

2013-2014

• Michelle Hovorka, M.S.
• Instructor, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific – Northwest