Nov 29, 2007 1:47 PM

"Golden" Opportunity for Faculty

The search for the winner of the 2008 Gold Shield Faculty Prize — worth $30,000 — has begun in earnest. From now until Feb. 23, UCLA faculty members are invited to submit the names of colleagues who have demonstrated extraordinary accomplishment in undergraduate teaching, research and public service within the university. This year's winner will be chosen from one of the following areas: arts, humanities or social sciences.

"The Faculty Prize is one of the most significant ways Gold Shield gives to the campus because it encourages undergraduate teaching as well as research," said Harriette F. Williams, chair of the Gold Shield Faculty Prize Committee. "It is awarded exclusively to mid-career professors to encourage the career of younger professors, and it also assures students of the longevity of the professor’s service on the campus."

Elizabeth Ligon Bjork, professor of cognitive psychology and chair of the UCLA Academic Senate, will select four faculty members from North Campus to participate on the selection committee.

"I consider the Gold Shield Faculty Prize to be one of the more prestigious and meaningful prizes awarded to faculty at UCLA," said Bjork, a former selection committee member. "It is special in that it is only given to faculty active in a field that has an undergraduate degree program and, thus, to faculty who have excelled in teaching as well as research."

Nominees must hold the rank of full professor in a department that offers an undergraduate degree program. In addition to demonstrated excellence in research or creative activity and evidence of public service within the university, the nominee must have made a significant contribution to undergraduate education. He/she may currently teach students at the graduate or undergraduate level.

Gold Shield, Alumnae of UCLA, began as an honorary organization designed to foster good relations between the university and the Westwood community. Since its founding in 1936 by 12 UCLA alumnae, Gold Shield has expanded its original concept and extended its programs to benefit hundreds of students through scholarships.

The organization commissioned the writing of a history book to celebrate the university's 50th anniversary in 1969, "UCLA on the Move," and has been instrumental in launching a second history book, now under way. The group joined with the UCLA Alumni Association in organizing the Dinners for 12 Strangers program in the late 1960s; in the '70s, it began its support of the UCLA Library's Oral History Program. Gold Shield has also made numerous contributions to the construction of significant campus buildings, such as the John R. Wooden Center, Pauley Pavilion and the James E. West Alumni Center.

In 1986, Gold Shield established the Gold Shield Faculty Prize in commemoration of its own 50th anniversary. More than two decades later, the award has changed from a biennial prize to an annual prize alternating between faculty members of the north and south campuses. The current sum of $30,000 is paid to the recipient in two annual installments.

Professor of Electrical Engineering William Kaiser was the 2007 recipient of the Faculty Prize, which he described as "a source of encouragement." He added that he will use the prize money to enable "undergraduate student researchers to lead important programs and contribute to objectives with many long-lasting rewards for them and the larger community."

Kaiser will notify the 2008 recipient prior to his/her formal announcement at the Academic Senate meeting on June 9, 2008.

Find more information or submit a nomination for the Gold Shield Faculty Prize.

Learn more about Gold Shield, Alumnae of UCLA.

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