Gary Dop receives SCHEV Outstanding Faculty Award

Gary Dop

Randolph English professor Gary Dop is one of only a dozen in the state to receive an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

The awards, established in 1987, recognize faculty at Virginia institutions of higher learning who exemplify the highest standards of teaching, scholarship, and service. 

“This award recognizes what we already know at Randolph—Gary Dop is an exceptional teacher, scholar, and creative force,” said President Sue Ott Rowlands. “He brings passion and purpose to everything he does. His leadership has helped shape the academic experience of countless students, and we are proud to celebrate this well-earned honor.” 

Dop is the founding director of the College’s MFA in creative writing program and was one of the architects of Randolph’s innovative TAKE2 curriculum model.

He has published more than 120 original works, a bestselling poetry collection, a multimedia play, and innovative 3D poetics. 

Dop is also a recipient of Randolph’s Gillie A. Larew Distinguished Teaching Award, as well as the Great Plains Emerging Writer Prize, a Pushcart Special Mention, and a Best of the Net Award. 

Each of this year’s 12 recipients—chosen from among 81 nominations—will receive a $7,500 award during an in-person ceremony held in Richmond in March.