The complete nomination packet must be submitted to the Secretary of the MAA by October 1.
A nomination for the Alder Award should consist only of the materials requested below, and should not include any other materials, such as curricula vitae or other items. Please prepare all nomination materials on 8.5 by 11 inch paper with a type size no smaller than 12 points (pica) and margins no smaller than 3/4 inch. Pages may be single spaced.
A complete nomination packet should consist of a nomination form and one-page summary, a narrative, additional documentation, and letters of recommendation as described below.
A completed Nomination Form and One-Page Summary is the first part of the packet.In the One-Page Summary, please describe the unusual and personal and professional qualities of the nominee that contribute to his or her extraordinary teaching success.
Please describe the nominee's extraordinary success in teaching by providing a narrative of the nominee's background, experience, teaching style, special contributions, other teaching awards, and any additional evidence of the nominee's unusual achievement in teaching. Note especially effectiveness in teaching undergraduate mathematics and influence beyond the nominee's own classrooms. The narrative should not exceed two single-spaced pages.
Please submit no more than two pages of further evidence to document the nominee's extraordinary teaching success. This documentation will vary greatly from institution to institution, but may include summaries of peer or student evaluations, comments on teaching, possible increases in numbers of majors in mathematics (with clear evidence of the nominee's substantial responsibility for them), possible student success in mathematics competitions (with clear evidence of the nominee's substantial responsibility for them), success in research in mathematics conducted by undergraduate students under the direction of the nominee, production of superior quality honors theses by undergraduate students under the direction of the nominee, development of curricular materials successfully used by colleagues, adoption of the nominee's teaching methods or techniques by experienced colleagues, service as a respected adviser for a student group, etc.
Nominators should bear in mind that the selection committee for the award might view a nomination more positively if it is accompanied not just by carefully chosen testimonials from a few selected students and faculty, but also reports comments and criticism which is representative of the whole spectrum of opinion among students and faculty on the nominee's teaching.