Edward G. McGavran Award for Excellence in Teaching

2024 McGavran Award recipient, Joseph Ibrahim, PhD
The McGavran Award for Excellence in Teaching honors Edward G. McGavran, MD, MPH, dean of the UNC School of Public Health from 1947 to 1963 and a proponent of “hands-on” field training for public health students. First given in 1975, the award recognizes career-long excellence in teaching by a faculty member at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Teaching, in this context, is broadly defined and includes activities inside and outside classroom settings (e.g., teaching-related administrative roles and innovative developments in teaching methods and materials).
This award comes with a $1,500 prize. The recipient may use the funds in any way that enhances their ability to teach and support students.
Eligibility
Eligibility is restricted to full-time faculty in the School. Past recipients of the McGavran Award (see below) are not eligible.
Selection Criteria
The Awards Committee seeks evidence of accomplishment in teaching quality and accomplishment sustained over a career. Factors to be considered when deciding the recipient of the McGavran Award include the following:
Quality
The record of a strong candidate for the McGavran Award should contain examples of innovation, leadership, impact and excellence in teaching both inside and outside the classroom. Evidence may include, but is not limited to:
- Creation or adoption of innovative teaching tools and techniques.
- Publication of teaching-related materials, including texts and evidence of their impact on the field
- A major role in influencing School-wide, university, national or professional curricular issues
- Demonstrate a commitment to inclusive excellence.
- Teaching-related awards
Accomplishment
The record of a strong candidate should include evidence of a substantial number of students positively influenced by the nominee. Examples relevant to this criterion may include, but are not limited to:
- Courses taught, including the nominee’s role in developing each course
- Feedback from students and peers regarding innovations
- Teaching programs developed and/or administered, including training grants and service as director of graduate studies in a department
- Students advised and how they have been stimulated and inspired
- Other relevant information.
Application Process
Gillings faculty, staff, students and alumni may submit a nomination online via Qualtrics survey. Please include a brief supporting statement (1-2 pages) that addresses the above criteria and a link to the CV for the person whom you are nominating. The deadline for submitting your nomination is Friday, February 14, 2025, 11:59 p.m. EST.
A committee will review all nominations received and prepare a recommendation to the dean, who will make the final decision about the award recipient. The award will be presented at a Spring event.
Past Recipients
2023 – Lindsey Smith Taillie
2022 – Daniel Westreich
2021 – Meghan Shanahan
2020 – Alyssa Mansfield
2019 – Beth Moracco and Karin Yeatts
2018 – Amanda Holliday
2017 – Marisa Domino
2016 – Brian Pence
2015 – Michael Hudgens
2014 – Lewis Margolis
2013 – Jane Monaco
2012 – Suzanne Maman
2011 – Amanda Holliday and Jon Hussey
2010 – Amy Herring
2009 – James Thomas
2008 – no award given
2007 – Carolyn Barrett
2006 – no award given
2005 – Doug Crawford-Brown
2004 – Jianwen Cai
2003 – Michael Bowling
2002 – Linda Adair
2001 – Irva Hertz-Picciotto and Sandra Martin
2000 – William Zelman
1999 – Christine Jackson
1998 – Arnold Kaluzny
1997 – no award given
1996 – Pranab K. Sen
1995 – Allan B. Steckler
1994 – Carl Shy
1993 – Gerardo Heiss
1992 – Gary Koch
1991 – Al Tyroler
1990 – Bonnie Rogers
1989 – Victor Schoenbach
1988 – William Herzog
1987 – Brenda Devellis and Gary Rozier
1986 – Earl Siegel and Morris Schaefer
1985 – Lawrence L. Kupper
1984 – James Watson Jr.
1983 – Jo Anne Earp and Philip C. Singer
1982 – Berton Kaplan and Charlene Ossler
1981 – Patricia Z. Barry
1980 – Norman F. Weatherly
1979 – Leonard S. Rosenfeld
1978 – John Larsh Jr. and David G. Kleinbaum
1977 – Emil T. Chanlett
1976 – John C. Cassel
1975 – Roy R. Kuebler