Thomas Jefferson Awards

The Thomas Jefferson Awards are the highest honors given to members of the University community who have exemplified the principles, ideals, and mission of the University, in their character, work, and influence. 

One award, sponsored since 1955 by the McConnell Foundation, recognizes excellence in service to the University. The other, which was established in 2009 by the Alumni Board of Trustees Endowment Fund, recognizes excellence in scholarship. Eligibility requirements are described below. Each award consists of a citation and a cash prize.


Scholarship Award

The Thomas Jefferson Award for scholarship nomination is open to all UVA faculty members who have served the institution in a full-time capacity for 15 or more years. Retired faculty members are not eligible with one exception — faculty members who have retired after April 1, 2024, are eligible. The selection committee is looking for a nominee who has demonstrated excellence in scholarship, research, and/or creative works. The nominee should have a dedicated record of creation and/or dissemination of knowledge and has contributed substantially to the education and/or development of students and provided significant service to the University.

Eligibility Requirements

Before submitting your nomination packet, please check if the person is eligible for the award:

  • Full-time faculty member
  • Employed by the University of Virginia in a full-time capacity for at least 15 years.
  • Currently employed by the University or retired only after April 1, 2024.

The nomination packet should include all required documents as listed below and should be submitted as a single pdf in the following order:

  1. Letter of Nomination describing the detailed contributions of the nominee (in 1,000-2,000 words)
  2. Supporting Letters
  • Minimum of three supporting letters with a maximum of five
  • Two of the supporting letters are to come from an external source
  1. Curriculum Vita

The submission deadline for the 2025 awards is Monday, April 14.


Service Award

The Thomas Jefferson Award for service nomination is open to all UVA faculty members and staff members serving in a University Managerial and Professional or University Executive staff position who have been employed by the University in a full-time capacity for 15 or more years. Retired faculty and staff members are not eligible with one exception – faculty and staff members who have retired after April 1, 2024, are eligible. The selection committee is looking for a nominee who has provided long-term and significant service to their school/unit and to the University as a whole. The committee will also consider service to their profession and/or community.

Eligibility Requirements

Before submitting your nomination packet, please check if the person is eligible for the award:

  • Full-time faculty member, University Managerial and Professional staff member, or University Executive staff member
  • Employed by the University of Virginia in a full-time capacity for at least 15 years.
  • Currently employed by the University or retired after April 1, 2024.

The nomination packet should include all required documents as listed below and should be submitted as a single pdf in the following order:

  1. Letter of Nomination describing the detailed contributions of the nominee (in 1,000-2,000 words)
  2. Supporting Letters
  • Minimum of three supporting letters with a maximum of five
  1. Curriculum Vita / Resume

The submission deadline for the 2025 awards is Monday, April 14.

For questions, email the Thomas Jefferson Awards Committee or contact Cecil Banks in the Office of Major Events at 434-924-6359.


Submit Nominations


Recipients

2024 Recipients

Previous Recipients
  1. Smith, Margaret (Margo), 2023, Service Award
  2. Meyer, Elizabeth K., 2023, Scholarship Award
  3. Rosner, Mitchell H., 2022, Service Award
  4. Freeman, R. Edward, 2022, Scholarship Award
  5. Petri, William A., 2021, Scholarship Award
  6. Proffitt, Dennis R., 2021, Scholarship Award
  7. Sheehy, Colette, 2021, Service Award
  8. Zeithaml, Carl P., 2021, Service Award
  9. Carpenter, Richard M., 2018, Service Award
  10. Holt, Charles A., 2018, Scholarship Award
  11. Rheuban, Karen S., 2017, Service Award
  12. Jeffries, Jr., John C., 2017, Scholarship Award
  13. Sweeney, Robert D., 2016, Service Award
  14. McGann, Jerome J., 2016, Scholarship Award
  15. Adams, J. Milton, 2015, Service Award
  16. Wilson, Timothy D., 2015, Scholarship Award
  17. Horniman, Alexander B., 2014, Service Award
  18. Leffler, Melvyn P., 2014, Scholarship Award
  19. Stewart, Gordon M., 2013, Service Award
  20. Howard, A.E. Dick, 2013, Scholarship Award
  21. Lampkin, Patricia M., 2012, Service Award
  22. Quandt, William B., 2012, Scholarship Award
  23. Barnett, Marva A., 2011, Service Award
  24. Ramazani, R. Jahan, 2011, Scholarship Award
  25. Colley, Jr., John L., 2010, Service Award
  26. Guerrant, Richard L., 2010, Scholarship Award
  27. Casteen III, John T., 2009, Service Award
  28. Parsons, J. Thomas, 2009, Scholarship Award
  29. Blackburn, John A., 2008
  30. Hostler, Sharon L., 2008
  31. Bonnie, Richard J., 2007
  32. Ayers, Edward L., 2006
  33. Gibbs, Annette, 2005
  34. Scott, Robert E., 2004
  35. Carey, Robert M., 2003
  36. Childress, James F., 2002
  37. Sabato, Larry J., 2001
  38. Gies, David T., 2000
  39. Nelson, Raymond J., 1999
  40. Stubbs, Kendon L., 1998
  41. Barnett, Jr., B. Lewis, 1997
  42. Hook, Jr., Edward W., 1996
  43. Bunker, Linda K., 1995
  44. Ramazani, R. K., 1994
  45. Sandridge, Jr., Leonard W., 1993
  46. Elzinga, Kenneth G., 1992
  47. Kelly, Hugh P., 1991
  48. Edlich, Richard F., 1990
  49. Mead, Jr., Ernest C., 1989
  50. Hunt, Jr., Ray C., 1988
  51. Hetherington, E. Mavis, 1987
  52. Meador, Daniel J., 1986
  53. Graebner, Norman A., 1985
  54. Spies, Emerson G., 1984
  55. Abraham, Henry J., 1983
  56. Muller, Jr., William H., 1982
  57. Floyd, Edwin E., 1981
  58. Finger, Frank W., 1980
  59. Nichols, Frederick D., 1979
  60. Bice, Jr., Raymond C., 1978
  61. Cauthen, Jr., Irby B., 1977
  62. Weedon, William S., 1976
  63. Woltz, Charles K., 1976
  64. Whitehead, W. Dexter, 1975
  65. Shea, Vincent, 1974
  66. Runk, B.F.D., 1973
  67. Quarles, Lawrence R., 1972
  68. Bowers, Fredson T., 1971
  69. Hunter, Thomas H., 1970
  70. Hale, Oron J., 1969
  71. Whyburn, Gordon T., 1968
  72. Dillard, Hardy C., 1967
  73. Hereford, Jr., Frank L., 1966
  74. Shannon, Jr., Edgar F., 1965
  75. Malone, Dumas, 1964
  76. Gwathmey, Allan T., 1963
  77. Mulholland, Henry B., 1962
  78. Ribble, Frederick D. G., 1961
  79. Gooch, Robert Kent, 1960
  80. Lewis, Ivey F., 1959
  81. Darden, Jr., Colgate W., 1958
  82. Boyd, T. Munford, 1957
  83. Clemons, Harry, 1956
  84. Beams, Jesse W., 1955
Thomas Jefferson Awards Committee Members
  • Maite Brandt-Pearce, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
  • James E. Burroughs, Commerce
  • Julie I. Caruccio, Student Affairs
  • William S. Epling, Engineering & Applied Science
  • Judy Fox, Data Science
  • David LeBlang, Batten
  • Julia May, Continuing & Professional Studies
  • Kara McClurken, Libraries
  • Rachel Most, Arts & Sciences
  • Dan Ortiz, Law
  • Vivian Riefberg, Darden
  • Anneke Schroen, Medicine
  • John Teahan, Nursing
  • Sarah Turner, Education and Human Development
  • Barbara Brown Wilson, Architecture
  • Patrick Wood, UVA Staff Senate

Student Members

  • Valentina Mendoza Gonzalez, Student Council President
  • Lisa Kopelnik, BOV Student Rep

Ex Officio

  • Cecil Banks, Executive Director for Major Events and External Relations