2008 Classified Staff Distinguished Achievement Awards

Classified staff play a vital role in the successful operation of the School of Education. Too often, however, their many contributions go unrecognized. The School of Education is therefore pleased to invite nominations for its classified staff awards.

Three $1,000 classified staff awards will be presented during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 22, 2008, which also will honor award recipients from the faculty and academic staff. All staff members in the School are invited to this reception, to be held at 4:00 p.m. in the Virginia F. Harrison Parlor on the first floor of Lathrop Hall. Two awards are made possible by gifts from the alumni of the School, and the third is made possible by a generous gift from Claire and Ron Shaffer.

There are many individuals who are deserving of these awards. Regrettably, only three awards can be presented each year, and inevitably some outstanding candidates will be passed over the first year they are put forward. Nominations remain active for two years beyond the year of submission. Because of the similarities in the criteria for these three awards, separate nominations are not necessary. Previous recipients of SoE classified staff awards may be renominated in 2008, so long as there was no cash prize made when they were selected.

Eligibility: Any represented or nonrepresented classified staff employee of the School of Education who has made an exemplary contribution to the operation of the School, department, center, program, or other unit within the School is eligible. Nominees may be from any area and must have had at least a half-time appointment in the School for three years.

Criteria for all three awards: Outstanding performance on the job; promoting the image of the department or university through continued contacts with those being served; consistently promoting excellence in him/herself and colleagues; initiating or recommending innovative ideas that are implemented and result in better service or efficiency; and exhibiting grace under pressure.

Shaffer award: In addition, recipients of the Claire Shaffer Award will be selected with special attention to the following: playing a critical role on office teams; dealing with students and/or others who contact the office; employing skill, grace, humor, and balanced judgment; managing significant programs independently; exhibiting professional growth in the position/classification; and assuming additional responsibilities in the job.

Nomination Procedures: The nomination packet should include the following items:

• Letter of nomination
• Résumé or career overview of no more than two pages, containing:

  1) Name
  2) Job title or classification
  3) Duration and responsibilities of the current position
  4) Duration and responsibilities of former positions in the School of Education
  5) Other positions held at UW-Madison

• At least two but not more than three letters of support that meet these criteria:

  1) They should make clear to someone outside the nominee's unit why the work is outstanding.
  2) Neither the dean nor any member of the review committee may nominate or write letters of support.
  3) The most effective letters of support will come from persons familiar with the nominee's work and will contain a detailed analysis of how the person meets the criteria; these might come from faculty and staff coworkers, clients, students, or supervisors.
  

Review: The packets will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the Dean. The 2008 committee will consist of Maureen Garity, Kathleen Kruger, Lynn Lunde (2007 award recipients), and Associate Dean Mariamne Whatley.
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Selection: The Dean will make the final selection based on the recommendations of the review committee. Recipients will be informed in March and will be recognized at a reception on Tuesday, April 22, 2008.

Submission: Submit nomination packets to Judy Holt, 427 Education Building, no later than Tuesday, February 26, 2008. For more information, call Judy at 265-7875.