Purpose

This award was established to recognize annually a member of the Academic Professional and Administrative (P&A) staff who has made distinguished contributions to the missions of the University of Minnesota and the School of Public Health.

The Award

The recipient’s achievements will be commemorated with a plaque, a permanent display in the school’s administrative offices, and a cash award of $1,500. No more than one award will be given in any single year. The award will be presented at the annual School of Public Health Faculty and Staff Recognition Celebration.

Eligibility

Nominees must have at least three years of P&A employment in the School of Public Health at the time of nomination. Nominees cannot hold a joint faculty appointment. Previous winners are not eligible for a second award.

Nominator

To nominate someone for this award, you must be a member of the School of Public Health faculty or staff.

Evaluation Criteria

Successful nominees will demonstrate elements such as:

• A sustained record of excellence of at least three years in the School of Public Health; and
• Extraordinary initiative, skill, or creativity in their work for the University of Minnesota and the School of Public Health; or
• Outstanding contributions to the mission of the university in the area of teaching, research, or outreach.

Nomination Process

Annual awards nominations for the 2024-2025 academic year should be submitted through the online nomination form. The submission deadline is April 4, 2025.

Nominations must include the following documentation:

• A statement of no more than two pages presenting the full case for the nomination.
  • This statement should include a brief job description delineating official responsibilities and duties, and evidence of work consistently above and beyond the nominee’s stated job requirements.
• Up to three letters of support from peers, colleagues, administrators, supervisors, students, alumni, or other University community members who have firsthand knowledge of the nominee’s performance.
  • The letters should provide evidence of the qualities described in the selection criteria above and should point out the area(s) (teaching, research or service) in which the nominee’s performance has been outstanding, specifically describing how the nominee has demonstrated extraordinary initiative, skill or creativity.
  • From 2021 onward, no letters of support beyond the letter of nomination are required. Any additional letters of support you wish to submit are optional.
• Current resume or curriculum vita of no more than five pages.

To facilitate evaluation, please have one person act as the primary nominator, compiling all of the letters of support and other material prior to submitting online for the review committee.

Excerpts from award recipient’s nomination letters may be read at the awards ceremony. Following the ceremony, the winner will receive a complete copy of the nomination submission.

Previous Recipients