Awards and Honours of the University
The Senate Honours and Awards Committee oversees the nomination and selection process for the following awards of the University of Guelph, granted under the purview of Senate.
(Nomination forms require the latest version of Adobe Reader. Go to the Adobe website to download.)
Nomination Process
Nominations for the awards listed below* are first considered by the Honours and Awards Committee, and then recommended to Senate, at regular meetings scheduled throughout the academic year. Following is the 2011-12 schedule for award considerations by the Committee, and their respective submission dates:
| Meeting Date: | Awards to be Considered: | Nomination deadline: |
| September 21, 2011 | September 1, 2011 | |
| November 14, 2011 | November 1, 2011 | |
| January 2012 (date TBC) |
January 1, 2012 | |
| May 2012 (date TBC) |
May 1, 2012 |
*See below for nomination process for Professor Emeritus/a
For questions, or to submit a nomination, contact Genevieve Gundy, Secretariat Officer (g.gundy@exec.uoguelph.ca or x.53438).
Honorary Degrees
In conferring honorary degrees the University seeks to honour individuals whose accomplishments demonstrate a standard of excellence we hope will inspire our graduates. The Committee considers candidates from a broad range of categories including achievements in the arts and sciences, business, public service, professions, voluntary service in the community at large, or service of long-standing or exceptional merit to the University. The Committee, from time to time, may recommend those whose outstanding contributions to their fields or to society have not yet been widely recognized.
Honorary Fellow of the University
Honorary Fellowships of the University shall be special awards which may be granted by Senate to persons who have made a significant contribution to the life and development of the University. Active members of the faculty, Senate, or Board of Governors are not eligible.
John Bell Award
The John Bell Award recognizes outstanding contributions to university education at the University of Guelph. The award is made in honour of Professor John Bell who served the University with distinction from 1972 to 1987.
Lincoln Alexander Medal of Distinguished Service
The Medal of Distinguished Service honours an individual who has played a pivotal role in the functioning of the institution and who has influenced the quality of academic life at the University of Guelph. Active members of faculty, staff and students are not eligible.
- Guidelines for the Awarding of the Lincoln Alexander Medal of Distinguished Service
- Nomination Form
- List of Past Recipients
Medal of Merit
The Medal of Merit is awarded to a professor who has retired from the University of Guelph, and who has made outstanding contributions to teaching, the functioning of the University, or other areas which have resulted in substantial improvement to the academic life and character of the University.
University Professor Emeritus/Emerita
The honour of University Professor Emeritus/Emerita may be given to a retired faculty member from the University of Guelph. The prime criterion for nomination will be sustained, outstanding scholarship of such a level that it is recognized internationally.
- Guidelines for the Awarding of University Professor Emeritus
- Nomination Form
- List of Past Recipients
Professor Emeritus/Emerita
Nominations to the category of Professor Emeritus/a are made by department or school promotion and tenure committees and are subject to final approval by the college promotion and tenure committee. This category is open only to retired professors of the University of Guelph (at any rank). The title granted will be at the rank at the time of retirement, i.e., Lecturer Professor Emeritus/a, Associate Professor Emeritus/a, Assistant Professor Emeritus/a, Full Professor Emeritus/a. A person employed full-time by the University in any capacity is not eligible.
Qualifications
The prime criterion for nominations will be a sustained and strong contribution to the University of Guelph; such contributions could be in teaching, research or administration. It is hoped that Professors Emeriti will maintain close ties with the University.
The names of Professors Emeriti will be listed in the graduate and undergraduate calendars under the appropriate department or school as long as the association continues. Professors Emeriti will have library privileges equal to those of faculty members, and shall have the right to participate in academic processions of convocation, to attend departmental seminars, to hear outside speakers invited to the University, and to use the mailing address of the University for scholarly purposes. At the discretion of the department chair and the dean, a Professor Emeritus/a may be allowed to apply for internal and external grants. All faculty awarded Professor Emeritus status are eligible to be considered for University Professor Emeritus status.
W.C. Winegard Medal
The Winegard Medal is the University of Guelph's top convocation award to an undergraduate student. Named for former University of Guelph president Dr. William Winegard, the medal is awarded in recognition of both academic achievement and contributions to university and community life.
D.F. Forster Medal
The Forster Medal is named for the late Donald Forster, a former president of the University of Guelph. The award recognizes academic achievement, motivation, leadership and citizenship.
Walter Vaughan Medal
Named for a former secretary of Senate, the Walter Vaughan Medal recognizes a student Senator who has achieved high academic standing and who has made a substantial contribution to student life and to the university particularly through involvement in and commitment to Senate activities.
Governor General Medals
Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General after Confederation, created these Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage academic excellence across the nation. Over the years, they have become the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive.
Today, the Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded as Silver at the undergraduate level; and Gold at the graduate level. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions.
More information about these medals can be obtained from the Governor General of Canada. (Also, see Directives : The Governor General’s Academic Medal)