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:
- Letter of Nomination describing the detailed contributions of the nominee (in 1,000-2,000 words)
- Supporting Letters
- Minimum of three supporting letters with a maximum of five
- Two of the supporting letters are to come from an external source
- 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:
- Letter of Nomination describing the detailed contributions of the nominee (in 1,000-2,000 words)
- Supporting Letters
- Minimum of three supporting letters with a maximum of five
- 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
Christopher P. Holstege, M.D.
Christopher P. Holstege, M.D. has served as the Executive Director of Student Health since 2013. He also is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Virginia’s School of Medicine and Chief of the University of Virginia’s Division of Medical Toxicology, positions he has held since 1999.
Thomas A. E. Platts-Mills, M.D.
Thomas Platts-Mills, MD, is a professor of medicine and microbiology at UVA. Dr. Platts-Mills joined UVA’s faculty in 1982, and has served as chief of the Allergy division since 1993. He has also served a term as president of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI).
Previous Recipients
- Smith, Margaret (Margo), 2023, Service Award
- Meyer, Elizabeth K., 2023, Scholarship Award
- Rosner, Mitchell H., 2022, Service Award
- Freeman, R. Edward, 2022, Scholarship Award
- Petri, William A., 2021, Scholarship Award
- Proffitt, Dennis R., 2021, Scholarship Award
- Sheehy, Colette, 2021, Service Award
- Zeithaml, Carl P., 2021, Service Award
- Carpenter, Richard M., 2018, Service Award
- Holt, Charles A., 2018, Scholarship Award
- Rheuban, Karen S., 2017, Service Award
- Jeffries, Jr., John C., 2017, Scholarship Award
- Sweeney, Robert D., 2016, Service Award
- McGann, Jerome J., 2016, Scholarship Award
- Adams, J. Milton, 2015, Service Award
- Wilson, Timothy D., 2015, Scholarship Award
- Horniman, Alexander B., 2014, Service Award
- Leffler, Melvyn P., 2014, Scholarship Award
- Stewart, Gordon M., 2013, Service Award
- Howard, A.E. Dick, 2013, Scholarship Award
- Lampkin, Patricia M., 2012, Service Award
- Quandt, William B., 2012, Scholarship Award
- Barnett, Marva A., 2011, Service Award
- Ramazani, R. Jahan, 2011, Scholarship Award
- Colley, Jr., John L., 2010, Service Award
- Guerrant, Richard L., 2010, Scholarship Award
- Casteen III, John T., 2009, Service Award
- Parsons, J. Thomas, 2009, Scholarship Award
- Blackburn, John A., 2008
- Hostler, Sharon L., 2008
- Bonnie, Richard J., 2007
- Ayers, Edward L., 2006
- Gibbs, Annette, 2005
- Scott, Robert E., 2004
- Carey, Robert M., 2003
- Childress, James F., 2002
- Sabato, Larry J., 2001
- Gies, David T., 2000
- Nelson, Raymond J., 1999
- Stubbs, Kendon L., 1998
- Barnett, Jr., B. Lewis, 1997
- Hook, Jr., Edward W., 1996
- Bunker, Linda K., 1995
- Ramazani, R. K., 1994
- Sandridge, Jr., Leonard W., 1993
- Elzinga, Kenneth G., 1992
- Kelly, Hugh P., 1991
- Edlich, Richard F., 1990
- Mead, Jr., Ernest C., 1989
- Hunt, Jr., Ray C., 1988
- Hetherington, E. Mavis, 1987
- Meador, Daniel J., 1986
- Graebner, Norman A., 1985
- Spies, Emerson G., 1984
- Abraham, Henry J., 1983
- Muller, Jr., William H., 1982
- Floyd, Edwin E., 1981
- Finger, Frank W., 1980
- Nichols, Frederick D., 1979
- Bice, Jr., Raymond C., 1978
- Cauthen, Jr., Irby B., 1977
- Weedon, William S., 1976
- Woltz, Charles K., 1976
- Whitehead, W. Dexter, 1975
- Shea, Vincent, 1974
- Runk, B.F.D., 1973
- Quarles, Lawrence R., 1972
- Bowers, Fredson T., 1971
- Hunter, Thomas H., 1970
- Hale, Oron J., 1969
- Whyburn, Gordon T., 1968
- Dillard, Hardy C., 1967
- Hereford, Jr., Frank L., 1966
- Shannon, Jr., Edgar F., 1965
- Malone, Dumas, 1964
- Gwathmey, Allan T., 1963
- Mulholland, Henry B., 1962
- Ribble, Frederick D. G., 1961
- Gooch, Robert Kent, 1960
- Lewis, Ivey F., 1959
- Darden, Jr., Colgate W., 1958
- Boyd, T. Munford, 1957
- Clemons, Harry, 1956
- 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