As NIU continued its evolution from teachers college to research university in the 1960s, some feared that teaching would be relegated to a lesser status among faculty accomplishments.

To counter those fears, a committee led by Executive Vice President Francis “Bud” Geigle initiated a program in 1966 to promote and reward outstanding teaching and to provide “encouragement and incentive for teaching achievement.” NIU’s Excellence in Teaching Awards (later renamed Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Awards) are the longest-running such award in Illinois, and the only one in which students play a primary role by nominating candidates and helping make the annual selections.

The first EUTA recipients were Donald Kieso, Richard Little and Donald Murray. In its 54-year history, the EUTAs have gone to 152 excellent teachers. Full list of EUTA recepients

In 2006, NIU added instructors to the list of those eligible for teaching awards with the Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Awards. Seventeen outstanding instructors have been honored with the EUIA since its inception. Full list of EUIA recipients

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