William H. Weston Award for Excellence in Teaching
Forecasted
William H. Weston Award for Excellence in Teaching honors undergraduate and graduate mycology educators for outstanding instruction, mentorship, and educational activities rather than funding research.
Funder: Mycological Society of America
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Nomination deadline)
Funding Amounts: Nonmonetary award: plaque and recognition at the MSA annual meeting
Summary: Recognizes outstanding undergraduate or graduate mycology teaching, including instruction, mentorship, and educational activities.
Key Information: Nominees and nominators must be current MSA members; self-nominations are not allowed.
Description
The William H. Weston Award for Excellence in Teaching is an annual distinction offered by the Mycological Society of America (MSA) and administered by its Distinctions Committee. It honors an outstanding teacher of mycology at the undergraduate or graduate level rather than funding a research project. Teaching achievements may include classroom instruction, graduate student supervision, teaching-related publications, and seminars, symposia, or workshops for lay or academic audiences.
The nomination emphasizes the educator’s teaching philosophy: what makes an excellent teacher, what they seek to accomplish in teaching mycology, and how their techniques and strategies serve those goals. Student and colleague perspectives, course evaluations, and other evidence document teaching excellence. The committee determines each year whether to present an award.
