Homer Hickam Jr. speaks with fan Sarah Brown before the ceremony

Homer Hickam autographs one of his books for a fan before the event.

Pat Shoemaker, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, addresses the crowd.

President Penelope Kyle welcomes the audience to the annual event.

Homer Hickam, author of "Rocket Boys," served as the evening's keynote speaker.

During his address, Homer Hickam reflected on the impact teachers had made on his life.

Homer Hickam

Tom McGlothlin, president of the McGlothlin Foundation, shared his appreciation for teachers around the nation.

Lisa Taylor, a teacher at Belview Elementary School in Montgomery County and a graduate of RU, received the night's first award.

Liz Phillips, a teacher at Wallace Middle School in Washington County, was named the night's second winner.

Liz Phillips (left) and Lisa Taylor (right), the winners of the 2011 McGlothlin Teaching Excellence Awards.

Tom McGlothlin, center, with the winners of the McGlothlin Awards. Left is Liz Phillips of Wallace Middle School in Washington County; on the right is Lisa Taylor of Belview Elementary in Montgomery County.

The award finalists with Dean Pat Shoemaker and President Penelope Kyle after the ceremony.

Keynote speaker Homer Hickam signs an autograph for Robert Hylton, a second grader in award winner Lisa Taylor's second grade class at Belview Elementary School.