For its 50th reunion in 1990, the the Class of 1940 raised more than $600,000 to create the W. Roane Beard Endowment, named for a 1940 industrial management graduate who served as the Alumni Association's secretary from 1951 to 1977, to fund an annual award for an exceptional classroom teacher.

The award is presented each year to a faculty member who has taught at least six semester hours during the previous academic year. Funds for the awards are provided by the class of 1940. Criteria used for judging teaching excellence include extraordinary efforts in teaching, inspiration transmitted to students, direct impact and involvement with students, intellectual integrity and scholarship, and impact on post graduate success of students.

Congratulations, Carrie!