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Henry Russel Award

In 1925, supported by funds from a bequest from Henry Russel (Law, 1875), the Regents established the Henry Russel Award. Considered the University’s highest honor for faculty at the early to mid-career stages of their career, the Henry Russel Award is conferred annually to faculty members who have demonstrated an extraordinary record of accomplishment in scholarly research and/or creativity, as well as an excellent record of contributions as a teacher.

General Information

Eligibility

Eligible nominees must meet at least one of the following two criteria:

  • Be tenure-track instructional faculty at the University of Michigan for no more than six years at the time of nomination, with the rank of assistant professor or associate professor.
  • Be tenure-track instructional faculty at the University of Michigan with the rank of assistant professor at the time of nomination.

Nominations of outstanding women, minorities and members of other groups historically underrepresented in their disciplines are encouraged.

Selection Criteria

This award recognizes faculty early in their academic careers who already have demonstrated an extraordinary record of accomplishment in scholarship, research, and creativity and have also demonstrated excellence as a teacher.

Number of Awards

Four Awards in the amount of $5,000.

Source of Nominations

Nominations may be submitted by deans, directors, department/program heads, promotion or award committees, or individual faculty members.

Selection Process

A committee of distinguished senior faculty from different disciplines and academic units, chaired by the Dean of the Graduate School, reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the President of the University. Awards are publicly announced early in the fall term and formally presented on the occasion of the Henry Russel Lecture in the winter term.

Deadline

The nomination deadline is Monday, March 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., EDT.

For more information contact:

Honors and Awards
Telephone: (734) 615-0255
Email: [email protected]

Guidelines for Preparing Nominations

As described below, a nomination dossier must include a cover sheet with contact information, a nominating letter, and curriculum vitae. Incomplete nomination dossiers cannot be reviewed. The Graduate School will add to each nomination dossier a dissertation committee service report and the Registrar’s Teaching Evaluation “Instructor Report” that tabulates quantitative data only.

The online nomination dossier may be set up by a U-M faculty or staff member. Others may be given login access to the site as needed. The nomination system may be accessed as often as needed in order to complete the nomination dossier. All materials must be uploaded in Adobe PDF format.

Cover Sheet

Complete the online cover sheet with all information requested for both the nominee and the nominator—not the administrator who may have initiated the dossier.

Letter of Nomination

As committee members represent a range of disciplines and may not be familiar with the nominee’s field, describe the nominee’s contributions in a way that conveys their significance to those not acquainted with the field. Given the number of highly accomplished mid-career faculty, the letter should explain the particular distinction that makes the nominee exceptionally qualified for this honor. The letter may incorporate quotations from former and current students, peers and faculty, including from letters solicited for tenure review, that describe the significance of the nominee’s scholarly and research achievements, teaching and mentoring excellence, service contributions and other impact measures outside the classroom.

The letter may be no longer than 2,000 words. A new letter may be submitted for re-nominations or an addendum may be submitted to update the dossier.

Letters should cover the areas below; those that do not will disadvantage the nominee:

  • A concise description of the nominee’s major research, scholarly and/or creative endeavors and accomplishments, including an explanation of the overall significance of the work and evidence for its impact on the nominee’s field or discipline
  • Evidence of the nominee’s professional achievements and reputation, particularly through recognition by her or his peers, and an explanation of the significance of major external awards
  • An evaluation of the nominee’s contributions, ability, and influence as member of the teaching faculty which might include, for instance, leadership in design of new degrees, programs or curriculum; the quality and impact of the nominee’s teaching and courses; and significant awards recognizing notable accomplishments as an educator
  • Evidence that the nominee serves as an influential and successful advisor to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty, as appropriate to the field and career stage;
  • Evidence that shows the nominee’s impact outside the classroom in significant service or professional contributions, including formal or informal administrative roles in the University or in the discipline or profession, service on editorial boards and in other professional organizations and societies, or outstanding service to communities and institutions beyond the University

Curriculum Vitae

Provide the nominee’s current c.v.

Recipients of the Henry Russel Award

2025

  • Robin Brewer, Information
  • Roya Ensafi, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Marc Hannaford, Music
  • Wenjing Wang, Chemistry

2024

  • Alison R. Davis Rabosky, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Oliver Haimson, Information
  • Justin E. Heinze, Health Behavior and Health Education
  • Elliott J. Rouse, Robotics and Mechanical Engineering

2023

  • Andrej Lenert, Chemical Engineering
  • Alexandra Rosati, Psychology and Anthropology
  • Kira Thurman, Germanic Languages and Literatures and History
  • Liuyan Zhao, Physics

2022

  • Shanna Daly, Mechanical Engineering
  • Roshanak Mehdipanah, Health Behavior and Health Education
  • Tiffany K. Ng, Music
  • Lakisha M. Simmons, Women’s and Gender Studies and History

2021

  • Jose Casas, Theatre
  • Erin A. Cech, Sociology
  • Matthew A. Davis, Nursing
  • Johanna Mathieu, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

2020

  • Carrie Ferrario, Pharmacology
  • Xianzhe Jia, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering
  • Corinna Schindler, Chemistry
  • Megan Tompkins-Stange, Public Policy

2019

  • Meghan A. Duffy, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Matthew Johnson-Roberson, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Timothy McAllister, Music
  • Necmiye Ozay, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

2018

  • Justin Kasper, Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering
  • Becky (R.L.) Peterson, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Daniel Rabosky, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Paul Zimmerman, Chemistry

2017

  • Robin Beck, Anthropology
  • Ashley Gearhardt, Psychology
  • Tung-Hui Hu, English
  • Sarah Veatch, Physics and Biophysics

2016

  • Julia Adler-Milstein, Information
  • Jeremy N. Bassis, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences
  • Clare H. Croft, Dance
  • Christopher R. Friese, Nursing

2015

  • Henriette Elvang, Physics
  • Kristin Kuster, Music, Theatre, and Dance
  • SangHyun Lee, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Brian Zikmund-Fisher, Health Behavior Health Education

2014

  • Dragan Huterer, Physics
  • Scott R. Lyons, American Culture and English Language and Literature
  • Thomas F. Wenisch, Computer Science and Engineering

2013

  • Allison Steiner, Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences and Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Angela Violi, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Macromolecular Science

2012

  • Lada Adamic, School of Information, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Aaron Pierce, Physics
  • Haoxing Xu, Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

2011

  • Anthony Grbic, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • David Harding, Sociology
  • Anna Michalak, Civil and Environmental Engineering

2010

  • Cindy Lustig, Psychology
  • Patricia Wittkopp, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

2009

  • Luming Duan, Physics
  • Anna Grzymala-Busse, Political Science
  • Laura Kasischke, English Language and Literature

2008

  • Edwin Bergin, Astronomy
  • Jason Owen-Smith, Sociology, Organizational Studies

2007

  • Anne Curzan, English Language and Literature, Education
  • Jerome Lynch, Civil and Environmental Engineering

2006

  • Amy Porter, Wind and Percussion
  • Dennis Sylvester, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

2005

  • David T. Blaauw, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Anna Stefanopoulou, Mechanical Engineering

2004

  • Todd Austin, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Brian Conrad, Mathematics
  • Lorna Goodison, English Language and Literature

2003

  • William V. Giannobile, Periodontics and Prevention and Geriatrics
  • Scott J. Hollister, Biomedical Engineering, Surgery and Mechanical Engineering
  • Denise Kirschner, Microbiology and Immunology
  • John V. Moran, Human Genetics
  • Michael J. Solomon, Chemical Engineering

2002

  • Clark T. C. Nguyen, EECS
  • Yoichi Osawa, Pharmacology
  • Johanna H. Prins, English Language and Literature

2001

  • Lisa Curran, Biology and Natural Resources

2000

  • Jeffrey Fessler, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • Webb Keane, Anthropology

1999

  • Thomas Hales, Mathematics
  • Aalexander Ninfa, Biological Chemistry
  • Ann Marie Sastry, Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

1998

  • Susan Alcock, Classical Art and Archaeology and Classical Studies
  • Trevor Wooley, Mathematics

1997

  • Carla Sinopoli, Anthropology
  • Kamal Sarabandi, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

1996

  • Celeste A. Brusati, History of Art
  • Dante A. Amidei, Physics

1995

  • H. Brinkley Messick, Anthropology
  • Khalil Najafi, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

1994

  • Stephen Lee, Chemistry

1993

  • Jessy W. Grizzle, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
  • John C. Mitani, Anthropology

1992

  • James M. Wilson, Internal Medicine

1991

  • David Srolovitz, Materials Science

1990

  • Alice Fulton, English Language and Literature
  • Philip Hanlon, Mathematics

1989

  • Susan Gelman, Psychology

1988

  • Thomas P. Beresford, Psychiatry
  • Thomas E. Crow, History of Art

1987

  • Nancy Cantor, Psychology
  • Jennifer A. Kitchell, Geological Sciences
  • Barbara Boardman Smuts, Psychology

1986

  • Richard I. Arculus, Geological Sciences

1985

  • Noburu Kikuchi, Mechanical Engineering
  • Donald Kinder, Political Science

1984

  • Daniel C. Fisher, Geological Sciences

1983

  • Peter A. Railton, Philosophy
  • Richard W. Wrangham, Anthropology

1982

  • Daniel M. Burns, Jr., Mathematics
  • John T. Lehman, Biology

1981

  • Gayl A. Jones, English Language and Literature

1980

  • Philip D. Gingerich, Geological Sciences
  • Robert P. Kirshner, Physics

1979

  • Joyce P. Marcus, Anthropology

1978

  • Charles F. Yocum, Biology

1977

  • William E. Bolcom, Music

1976

  • Rob Van der Voo, Geological Sciences

1975

  • Hugh L. Montgomery, Mathematics

1974

  • Bernard Q. Nietschmann, Geography

1973

  • John J. Voorhees, Dermatology

1972

  • Kent V. Flannery, Anthropology

1971

  • Lewis J. Kleinsmith, Biology

1970

  • Jeremiah G. Turcotte, Surgery

1969

  • William W. Freehling, History

1968

  • Arthur J. Vander, Physiology

1967

  • Theodore V. Buttrey, Classical Studies

1966

  • William P. Malm, Music

1965

  • Anthony J. Pennington, Electrical Engineering

1964

  • John M. DeNoyer, Geology

1963

  • George D. Zuidema, Surgery

1962

  • John R. G. Gosling, Obstetrics and Gynecology

1961

  • Lawrence B. Slobodkin, Zoology

1960

  • William L. Hays, Psychology

1959

  • William R. Dawson, Biology

1958

  • Oleg Grabar, History of Art

1957

  • Elman R. Service, Anthropology

1956

  • Donald R. Pearce, English Language and Literature

1955

  • Donald Arthur Glaser, Physics

1954

  • John W. Hall, History

1953

  • Edwin E. Moise, Mathematics

1952

  • Henry J. Gomberg, Electrical Engineering

1951

  • Ernst Pulgram, Romance Languages

1950

  • Chris J. D. Zarafonetis, Internal Medicine

1949

  • Richard C. Boys, English Language and Literature

1948

  • Robert M. Thrall, Mathematics

1947

  • Burton L. Baker, Anatomy

1946

  • Robert R. White, Chemical Engineering

1945

  • William B. Willcox, History

1944

  • Frederick K. Sparrow, Jr., Botany

1943

  • Carl A. Moyer, Surgery

1942

  • Richard H. Freyberg, Internal Medicine

1941

  • Herbert C. Youtie, Classical Studies

1940

  • Edgard M. Hoover, Jr., Economics
  • Frank H. Bethell, Internal Medicine

1939

  • Norman R. F. Maier, Psychology

1938

  • Franklin D. Johnston, Internal Medicine

1937

  • Frank E. Eggleton, Zoology

1936

  • Lawrence Preuss, Political Science

1935

  • Ralph Grafton Smith, Public Health

1934

  • Paul Mueschke, English Language and Literature

1933

  • Werner E. Bachmann, Chemistry

1932

  • William L. Ayres, Mathematics

1931

  • Earl L. Griggs, English Langauge and Literature

1930

  • Carl L. Hubbs, Zoology

1929

  • John Alexander, Surgery

1928

  • Laurence M. Gould, Geology

1927

  • Albert Hyma, History

1926

  • Carter L. Goodrich, Economics