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