Grisham to present teaching awards

Best-selling author John Grisham will return to campus Sept. 24 to hand out the teaching awards that bear his name.

The 1977 MSU graduate will present five Grisham Master Teacher awards at the 3 p.m. public ceremony in McComas Hall.

In a change from their inception in 1993, this year's awards will be presented in one broad category called Master Teacher. All full-time members of the faculty at any academic rank and at least three years of teaching experience are eligible for this award. Each recipient will receive $7,500.

Beginning in 1999, a second designation, Grisham Fellow, will be selected from the Master Teachers. The Fellow award is not automatic, so it may not be presented every year, but only when an individual has demonstrated continued outstanding contributions, especially in the area of undergraduate teaching. No more than one Fellow will be awarded each year. The recipient receives $15,000.

The awards are sponsored by the University Instructional Improvement Committee.

For more information, contact Dr. Carol M. Short, committee chair, by telephone at 325-2674 or via e-mail at <cshort@ce.msstate.edu>.