Oliver Johnson Award for Distinguished Leadership in the Academic Senate
Professor Oliver Johnson, who died in 2000, was a professor of philosophy and longtime Senate activist. He served as the Chair of the Assembly and Academic Council in 1981-82; as Vice Chair of the Assembly and Council in 1980-81; and as Chair of the Riverside Division of the Academic Senate from 1963 to 1966, performing with great distinction in all those posts. He brought to his Senate work a combination of outstanding character, keen insight, and great understanding of the University. In 1996, Professor Johnson made a substantial gift to the systemwide Senate, the earnings from which are used to fund the award that bears his name.
The Oliver Johnson Award is given out biennially to a member of the UC faculty who has performed outstanding service to the Academic Senate. Its broader goal is to honor all members of faculty (including Emeriti/ae Senate members) who have contributed their time and talent to the Senate. The award carries a small honorarium for the faculty member who receives it and is presented at the Annual Academic Council dinner.
2024 Oliver Johnson Award Recipients
Professor Kum-Kum Bhavnani
UC Santa Barbara Distinguished Professor of Sociology
Professor Mary C. Gilly
UC Irvine Professor Emerita of Marketing
Nomination Process
The award is designed to honor a University of California faculty member who has demonstrated at the Divisional and the Systemwide Academic Senate level:
- Outstanding and creative contributions as evidenced by major impact on faculty governance.
- Sustained excellence in serving the Academic Senate.
- Exceptional abilities in working with different university constituents effectively.
Eligibility
All members of the Academic Senate except those who have served on the Academic Council during the immediate three (3) years prior to nomination.
Process
The University Committee on Committees (UCOC) solicits nominations at the beginning of every other academic year. Each Divisional Committee on Committees (COC) may submit one nomination to UCOC. Upon review, UCOC will recommend two nominees to the Academic Council for final selection. The recipient will be chosen by a majority of the full membership of the Academic Council and ratified by the Assembly of the Academic Senate at the May Assembly meeting. The award is presented at the Annual Academic Council dinner in July.
Nomination Requirements:
- A nomination letter by the chair of each Divisional Committee on Committees, not to exceed three (3) pages.
- A focused curriculum vitae not to exceed two (2) pages outlining the divisional candidate's Academic Senate service.
