The University of Georgia will celebrate the achievements of outstanding students, faculty, staff and alumni during Honors Week 2023, April 17-21.
“Honors Week is an opportunity to recognize members of the university community who share a deep commitment to excellence, one of the hallmarks of our great institution,” said S. Jack Hu, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “UGA is a national leader in public higher education because of its inspirational faculty, staff, students and alumni. I extend my heartfelt appreciation and congratulations to this year’s honorees.”
Honors Week is an annual UGA tradition dating back to the 1930s, when then-Chancellor S.V. Sanford dedicated a day to recognize outstanding students. In 2011, the event was expanded to include events recognizing faculty, staff and alumni.
Honors Week activities are listed below, and a special printed edition of Columns will be published on April 17 to recognize award recipients. For more information, including events held at the school or college level, visit calendar.uga.edu.
PSO Meeting and Awards Luncheon: April 17
The 32nd annual Public Service and Outreach Meeting and Awards Luncheon will lead off this year’s Honors Week. The ceremony will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Ballroom at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel. The Walter Barnard Hill Fellow Award for Distinguished Achievement in Public Service and Outreach, UGA’s highest award in public service and outreach, will be presented, along with other honors.
Faculty Recognition Banquet: April 17
Hosted by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, the Faculty Recognition Banquet will be held on April 17 in Mahler Hall at the Georgia Center. An invitation-only event, the banquet will begin with a reception at 5:45 p.m.
The ceremony will recognize the winners of the 2023 awards for teaching excellence, including the Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorships and the Russell Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching, as well as UGA’s new University Professors and Regents’ Professors.
Graduate School Honors Luncheon: April 18
The Graduate School Honors Luncheon will be held on April 18 at 12:30 p.m. at the Georgia Center. At this invitation-only event, the Graduate School will recognize outstanding graduate students for excellence in teaching and research.
The Excellence in Teaching Award honors students who have demonstrated superior teaching skills and have contributed to teaching beyond their own classroom responsibilities, making a significant contribution to UGA’s instructional mission. The Excellence in Research by Graduate Students Award recognizes students in one of five areas: humanities and fine arts, life sciences, mathematics and physical sciences, professional and applied sciences, and social and behavioral sciences.
Presidential Honors Week Luncheon: April 19
Hosted by the Office of the President, the Presidential Honors Week Luncheon will be held on April 19. The invitation-only event will recognize the university’s most distinguished undergraduate scholars, including First Honor graduates and Student Government Association leaders, as well as student recipients of the Presidential Award of Excellence and national scholarship winners.
Morehead Honors College Graduation Banquet: April 19
The Morehead Honors College Graduation Banquet also will be held on April 19. The invitation-only event will recognize Morehead Honors College students who graduated in the summer or fall of 2022 as well as the graduating class of May 2023. Recognitions presented at the banquet include outstanding student awards, the Lothar Tresp and Hatten Howard Outstanding Professor awards and the Jere W. Morehead Award, which is given to an exceptional alumna/alumnus or friend of the Morehead Honors College.
Research Awards Banquet: April 20
The 44th annual Research Awards Banquet will be held on April 20 at 5:30 p.m. in Mahler Hall of the Georgia Center. The invitation-only event is sponsored by the University of Georgia Research Foundation and recognizes excellence in UGA research and scholarly creativity. Awards are presented to honor outstanding faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students. This year, UGARF will introduce new awards for excellence in research communications and for excellence in research by non-tenure track faculty.
Alumni Awards Luncheon: April 21
Honors Week will conclude with the Alumni Awards Luncheon on April 21, celebrating distinguished alumni, faculty members and friends of UGA. The event will begin at noon in the Grand Hall of the Tate Student Center. The UGA Alumni Association will present the Alumni Merit Award, Faculty Service Award, Young Alumni Award, Family of the Year Award and Friend of the Year Award to recognize those who demonstrate dedication to the University of Georgia.
