Teachers are nominated by Lawrence seniors who attended school in Wisconsin, and recipients are selected by a committee of education faculty from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Conservatory of Music.聽The award honors teachers who create a sense of excitement for and enthusiasm about learning; actively engage students and motivate them to do their best work; contribute to the well-being of their school and its community; and are committed to the personal growth of their students.

Piper was nominated by senior Nick Mayerson, who will be receiving a bachelor of arts degree with a major in government and a minor in history.

鈥淢r. Piper engaged me in a world beyond the walls of the classroom in a way no teacher had before him,鈥� Mayerson wrote in his nomination. 鈥淓very activity was meticulously planned to evoke an unbounded curiosity about the diverse groups of people that live on this Earth.鈥�

Piper will receive the award on June 10.