Established in 1986, the Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award recognizes outstanding teaching and advocacy for history teaching at two-year, four-year, and graduate colleges and universities. The award is named for the late Eugene Asher, for many years a leading advocate for history teaching.

The Society for History Education shares the sponsorship of the award. The current prize amount is $1,000. See the list of past recipients.

Eligibility

The award is intended for inspiring teachers whose techniques and mastery of subject matter made a real difference to students of history. Nominations of mentors or teaching colleagues are appropriate. An individual may not nominate his or her graduate thesis or dissertation adviser (current or within the past five years). At the time of nomination, a nominee must still be alive but may be retired or emeritus.

Application Process

Log into your MY AHA account at historians.org/myaha and click “Available Application Forms” in the AHA Awards, Grants, and Jobs section. If you don't have an account, create one for free at historians.org/createaccount. If nominating someone else, select the Nominate button and search for the nominee’s existing record or create a new record.

1. Fill in the application form, which includes the nominee’s contact information.
2. Upload an Application Packet as a single PDF. Include the following documents:
   • CV (up to 5 pages) highlighting educational experience, teaching, and advocacy of the nominee
   • Selected syllabus (or syllabi) of the nominee
   • Nomination letters (up to 5 letters, no more than 2 pages each). These letters can be from former students, colleagues, and others. Individuals organizing nominations should solicit a cross selection as appropriate to address the nominee's outstanding teaching and advocacy. The letters can be included in the application packet or solicited through the application form.

Generally, one individual serves as the organizer for the nomination, writes one of the letters nominating the individual, procures the nominee's syllabus and CV (condenses to 5-page limit as necessary), and contacts individuals to write additional letters of support. Self nominations are welcome.

Please Note: Entries must be received by May 15, 2024, to be eligible for the 2024 competition. Entries will not be returned. Recipients will be announced on the AHA website in October 2024 and recognized during a ceremony at the January 2025 AHA annual meeting in New York.

For questions, please contact the Prize Administrator.