Professor Miriam Gilbert received the first Philip G. Hubbard Award for Outstanding Education. The award was created by a gift from Joseph A. Walder, MD, PhD, a former UI professor of biochemistry and founder of Integrated DNA Technologies. It honors the late UI professor and administrator Philip G. Hubbard and his commitment to educational excellence. The award recognizes the UI faculty member who has best exemplified extended teaching excellence.

Professor Gilbert began her teaching career in the UI Department of English in 1969. She is the co-editor of two major drama anthologies for college students, and her work on Shakespeare's plays in performance includes many articles and a book-length study of Love's Labour's Lost. She is also known for her articles on teaching Shakespeare through performance-based activities and has directed eight summer seminars for college and high school teachers funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.