Besse Award

2026 Call for Nominations:

Tri-C Students, do you have a faculty member who inspires you, challenges you to think differently, or goes the extra mile to support your success? Now’s your chance to recognize them! Each year, Tri-C presents the Excellence in Teaching Award in Honor of Ralph M. Besse to faculty who exemplify outstanding teaching and a genuine commitment to students.

Up to four full-time faculty and four adjuncts or lecturers are honored, with winners announced at Fall Convocation. They’ll receive a plaque, a monetary award, and professional development support, but the true honor begins with you.

Nominating is quick and meaningful. By completing a short electronic form, you’ll share how your professor demonstrates academic quality, sparks intellectual growth, and invests in students both inside and outside the classroom. Your voice is the first and most important step in the selection process, and your nomination ensures that deserving faculty are seen and celebrated. Please take a few minutes to recognize the faculty who’ve made a difference in your Tri-C journey. Submit your nomination(s) today!

2024 - 2025 Award Winners:

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 BESSE Award Winners!

Full-time Faculty Winners

• Miriam Bennett, Professor, Film, Metropolitan Campus 
• Elaine Brunschwig, Professor, Biology, Western Campus
• Mardy Chaplin, Assistant Professor, Paralegal Studies, Western Campus 
• Alan Gerding, Assistant Professor, Psychology, Metropolitan Campus 

Adjunct/Lecturer Winners

• Judith Allen, Lecturer, Business Administration, Western Campus
• Amelia Caldwell, Adjunct Faculty, Business Administration, Metropolitan Campus 
• Robert Gala, Adjunct Faculty, Philosophy, Metropolitan Campus 
• Gayatry Jacob-Mosier, Lecturer, Chemistry, Metropolitan Campus

Award overview:

The Excellence in Teaching Award in Honor of Ralph M. Besse is presented annually for up to four full-time faculty members and up to four adjunct faculty or lecturers selected for exceptional professional competence and commitment to helping students succeed. Specifically, these award winners demonstrate a commitment to academic quality, stimulation of intellectual development, and investment with students within and beyond the classroom. Students are the initial driver of the list of nominees. The award is given in honor of Ralph M. Besse, Cleveland community leader and champion of higher education, who was instrumental in founding Tri-C.

Award highlights:

• A maximum of eight awards will be announced (four full-time faculty and four adjuncts).
• Winners are announced at Fall Convocation and receive an engraved plaque, monetary award, and support for professional development.
• Awards are College-wide and not based on campus location or discipline.
• Lecturers are eligible to receive the Adjunct Award.
• This is a two-step award process. Students are the initial driver by completing an electronic form with five questions related to teaching excellence. Those eligible faculty nominees are then sent forth for a college-wide faculty/staff nomination. Faculty must have at least one student nomination and at least one faculty/staff nomination to be eligible for final consideration. 
• Review the award process overview and eligibility requirements  

2026 award timeline:

• Sept. 19, 2025: Students can begin nominating faculty
• Mar. 6, 2026: Student nomination period closes
• Apr. 16 - May 8: Call for faculty/staff nominations
• May 16: Final candidates notified with instructions to submit their teaching statement, artifact and resume
• May 16 – June 23: Final candidates submit supporting materials
• June 25 – July 17: Selection Committees review candidate materials and meet to determine final recommendations
• July 18– July 31: Provost and Campus Presidents approve final recommendations
• Winners announced at Fall 2026 Convocation
• *Dates are subject to change, any changes will be communicated by email