Established in the spring of 2026, this prize is designed to reward Philosophy Graduate Students' efforts to improve their teaching and to take the overall quality of teaching into account. The award process includes a department event where finalists give teaching demonstrations.
Michael R. Bennett joined the department in 1974 after earning his PhD from UCLA, and taught here until his unexpected death in January 1979. He specialized in formal semantics and taught in a wide spectrum of philosophical areas. Richmond Thomason wrote that Michael would be remembered: "for his sensitivity to the problems of students and his concern for people, as well as for his profound dedication to philosophy."
The Department wishes to acknowledge the Belnap family's generous contributions to the fund supporting this award. Nuel D. Belnap, Jr. was a member of the department from 1963 until his retirement in 2011. He made broad, deep, and elegant contributions to logic and philosophy, and was an outstanding teacher who trained several generations of logicians and philosophers. He is remembered for his generosity and his quiet, delightful sense of humor. Nuel passed away in June 2024.
Past Recipients
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2026
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Winner - Felipe Pereira
Finalists - Leela Cañuelas and Stephen Perry
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