ASB CAREER AWARDS

The ASB Career Awards are meant to honor individuals who have made incredible contributions to ASB, education, and the biological sciences. They are the most important awards we offer, but they require your participation; read the descriptions below carefully and consider nominating someone you know who deserves it. Use the Intent to Nominate Form below so we can walk you through the nomination. 
​ASB John Herr Lifetime Achievement Award
This prestigious award was established by the Association of Southeastern Biologists in 2007 to recognize unusually significant contributions by its members to the life of the Association and to biology in the southeastern US.  The award was first presented to its namesake, Distinguished Professor Emeritus John Herr (Department of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina), by President Kim Marie Tolson in Columbia, South Carolina on April 20, 2007, on the occasion of the 68th Annual Meeting of the Association.  This award is to be presented at an Annual Meeting of the Association to no more than one recipient, but there is no requirement that it be given every year.

​A nominator wishing to submit a candidate for this award to the Association must prepare a nomination package on behalf of the candidate and present it to the President of the Association to be in competition for the award. If you are considering a nomination, please complete the intent form on the right by the fall deadline (see the ASB CALENDAR for specific dates). Someone will help you complete the rest of the nomination. If received with ample time for a decision to be made, it will be presented at the next Annual Meeting. 
Eligibility
A recipient of this award must have contributed in ways that set them apart from other members of the Association. In particular, the recipient must have:
  1. Demonstrated unusual and long-standing devotion to the Association through consistent efforts to improve and advance ASB, going beyond the standard duties of committee members and officers.  The recipient must have demonstrated a willingness to serve the organization when asked for additional service.
  2. Been a member in good standing of the Association for a minimum of ten years.
  3. Served as an elected or appointed officer of the Association.
  4. Contributed in a significant way to the Association’s purpose of promoting the advancement of biology as a science in the southeastern US, through research, education, solution of biological problems, conservation, public awareness of biological issues, and/or public service.
  5. Have other accomplishments indicative of unusual dedication and service to the Association. 
requirements
​The nomination package must include
  1. At least three letters of nomination from members of the Association endorsing the nominee, one of whom must be a Past President.  Additional letters of support from other members are welcome, but not required.  The letters of nomination must be as specific as possible concerning the five points outlined in ELIGIBILITY.  In addition, the letters of nomination must outline what the candidate has done that sets them apart from other members of the Association. 
  2. The candidate’s curriculum vitae. 
evaluation
Once the nomination package is received, the President will appoint a committee consisting of three individuals, at least one of whom will be a Past President and the other two officers or former officers of the Association. That committee will consider all active packages and will report a nomination of a single award recipient (if any) to the President of the Association, who will present it to the Executive Committee (EC). Upon a majority vote in favor of the nomination from the EC members present at such a meeting, the President will appoint an individual (typically the most recent Past President) to prepare a plaque and citation to be presented by the President to the recipient at the awards banquet during the upcoming Annual Meeting.

​Other nomination packages may be held over for consideration, for a maximum of two additional years, after which time unsuccessful packages will be returned to their nominators. 
ASB Meritorious Teaching Award
The Association of Southeastern Biologists Meritorious Teaching Award is one of the highest honors for excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level in biology in the U.S. Southeast. Since 1953, ASB has recognized one of its members for outstanding teaching most years at the ASB Annual Banquet, the closing event of each spring meeting. The winner of the award receives $1500. The Meritorious Teaching Award Committee seeks nominations from the ASB membership and selects the winner.  The Meritorious Teaching Committee urges the membership to consider qualified candidates at their institutions or at other ASB associated institutions for nomination and to assume the responsibility of coordinating and submitting materials for candidates’ nominations.  
“I was humbled by the award because I know so many others who truly deserve that recognition; others who, like me, love what they do, love mentoring students, and put all of themselves into it. In a way, our students are our legacy, what we will leave behind, and hopefully what they learn from us in and out of the classroom will serve them well as they manage the mess our generation leaves them with. When my students graduate and go off to do great things, I can't help but feel a great sense of pride in their accomplishments. So maybe this award is so meaningful to me because, in a way, it is an affirmation that I’m doing 'good'; that what I do matters.”  -Dr. Riccardo Fiorillo, ASB's 2022 Meritorious Teacher
If you know of a worthy candidate, please complete the intent form, so we can guide the process. The deadline for submission of the nomination package is in the spring (specifics can be found at the ASB Calendar.)  Getting the packet together might take some time, so do not wait to the last minute.
Eligibility
Eligible candidates will   
  1. Have been an ASB member for at least 10 years.
  2. Taught biology for at least 10 years in any college or university represented in the Association. There is no restriction on the size of the institution, nor must the institution have a graduate program. 
Nominee requirements
The nominator may be a current or former student or a colleague. Possible candidates may not nominate themselves.  The nominator should assemble a portfolio which includes: 
  1.  A letter nominating the candidate with the nominator’s personal support of the nomination.
  2. Several additional letters supporting the nomination from colleagues, administrators, current and former students. The number of letters is not a priority; however, the documentation needs to be abundant and diverse. In other words, the evidence you provide should convincingly support your nominee.
  3. Current curriculum vitae of the nominee.

The purpose of documentation is to show the educational influence this candidate has made by virtue of his or her role as a biology professor. Letters should discuss activities of the candidate such as advising, mentoring, involving students in research, using innovative teaching methods, curriculum and/or course development, participation in study/travel/research programs, sponsoring science related groups such as Beta Beta Beta, innovative service to their institution, ASB, or the community, etc. Documentation by students or former students might include how the candidate influenced their development and contributed to their own achievements. 
Nomination PAckage Requirements
The nominator will
A) Send a cover letter to the Chair of the ASB Meritorious Teaching Award Committee noting
  1. the number and type of items in the attached portfolio
  2. the name and contact information of the candidate
  3. the nominator’s contact information. 

B) Include with the cover letter all letters of support and other materials in one pdf file and send to the Chair of the ASB Meritorious Teaching Award Committee. ​The Chair of the Committee will acknowledge receipt of the materials. 

C) Send signed hard copies of the letter of nomination and all supporting letters.  The hard copies will be a part of a file of materials presented to the winning candidate. These letters are usually the most meaningful part of the award to the winning candidate. Please contact the Chair for the address to send the hard copies. 

D) Make sure the winning candidate attends the ASB banquet or is present virtually to accept the award. 

    Career Award Intention

    Let us know you are considering nominating someone for a Career Award and we will help you with the nomination process. 
ASB Lucrecia Herr Outstanding Biology Teacher Award
This award honors an outstanding high school biology teacher in the state where the ASB Annual Meeting is held. The awardee is based on recognition of the teacher for outstanding service by the state or by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT). The first award was given in 2002 as The Outstanding Biology Teacher Award, and the award was renamed for Lucrecia Herr in 2010 in recognition of her distinguished service in academics. If no candidate is available, the Education Committee will decide possible alternatives. 


AFFILIATE CAREER AWARDS

Southern Appalachian Botanical Society Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award
​SABS annually presents this Award in memory of Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew’s untiring service to the public, to plant systematics, and to this organization. This award is presented to individuals who have also distinguished themselves in professional and public service that advances our knowledge and appreciation of the world of plants and their scientific, cultural, and aesthetic values, and/or exceptional service to the society. The first Bartholomew Award was presented to Aaron J. Sharp in 1989. Learn more about the Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award.

What do you value most about your ASB experience?