Teaching award descriptions

CWRU bestows three major annual awards to recognize outstanding educators -- the Carl F. Wittke Award for undergraduate instruction, the John S. Diekhoff Award for graduate teaching, and the Frank and Dorothy Hovorka Prize for exceptional achievements benefitting the community, nation, and world.

Created in 1964, the Wittke Award is named for Carl F. Wittke, who from 1948-63 was a professor of history, chairman of that department, and a vice president of Western Reserve University.

The Diekhoff Award honors John S. Diekhoff, who served CWRU and WRU from 1956-70 as professor and chairman of English, dean of Cleveland College, acting dean of the graduate school, and vice provost.

Dorothy Humel Hovorka, a member of the CWRU Board of Trustees and a leader in the arts and community, established the Hovorka Prize in 1994 in memory of her late husband Frank, who was the Hurlbut Professor and chair of CWRU's Department of Chemistry.

Presented during commencement ceremonies, the awards carry monetary prizes.