Ted and Shirley Taubeneck Superior Teaching Award

Since its establishment in 1984, the Humanities Seminars Program (HSP) has embraced the belief that knowledge is a lifelong journey that enriches lives and expands horizons. This program’s presence at the University of Arizona stands as a testament to the commitment, enthusiasm, and philanthropic spirit of our community of supporters and contributors spanning over four decades.

From the beginning, HSP has celebrated the outstanding faculty at the University of Arizona. The prestigious Ted and Shirley Taubeneck Superior Teaching Award is presented to faculty members who inspire their students through their expertise, engaging presentations, and passionate ability to foster a love for their subject. This award has recognized leading faculty from various colleges across the University. It is reserved for exceptional educators who not only have an in-depth understanding of their subjects but also engage and inspire their students. Given the high caliber of both faculty and students who are involved with HSP, achieving this recognition is no easy task. Many truly excellent professors deliver superb courses for HSP every year and are in the running for this award, only to be edged out of the competition by the handful who rise above the rest.

We are proud to continue our annual tradition of celebrating the exceptional teaching that defines our program. At the heart of HSP is a passion for academic excellence and the craft of teaching. As our founders articulated in 1986:

The success of the Arizona Humanities Seminars is owed primarily to the high quality of its teachers. Selected not for teaching ability nor scholarship alone, these scholarly spellbinders combine state-of-the-art research with a mesmerizing classroom presence. Therefore, the University of Arizona Humanities Seminars have proudly arranged the formation of an endowment which will help recognize these professors who have so generously enriched their students.

To our esteemed Ted and Shirley Taubeneck Superior Teaching Award recipients, our heartfelt congratulations! It has been a privilege to feature your work for our community, and we hope that this award serves as a powerful affirmation of the University of Arizona’s appreciation for your dedication to scholarship and teaching. May it be a lasting reminder of the abiding appreciation that your Humanities Seminars Program students hold for you.