The David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award was established through a gift from Lamar University Distinguished Alumnus David J. Beck. The teaching excellence fund provides Lamar University the opportunity to honor and reward one faculty member each calendar year who excels as a teacher or otherwise brings significant honor to the University through innovative instructional pedagogy. Recipients of the David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award will receive a one-time monetary award of $25,000 and will retain the title of Beck Teaching Excellence Award recipient through their Lamar University academic careers. Nominations for the award may come from current or former students, faculty, or administrators. 

Eligibility:

• Full-time faculty (non-tenure track, tenure track, or tenured).
• Completed minimum of three years’ service as of December 31, 2023.
• Teaching load minimum of 9 semester credit hours or equivalent contact hours for six consecutive long semesters (fall and spring terms).
• Minimum documented scores of 4 High Performance documented in F2.08, Section I Teaching & Instructional Activities for AY2021-2022, AY2022-2023, and AY2023-2024.

Note: Past candidates for the David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award are not required to be re-nominated should they remain eligible according to the stipulated criteria (see above) and wish to submit an updated application for the 2023-2024 David J. Beck Teaching Excellence Award.