Announcements

Student Personnel Association Outstanding Achievement Awards
In appreciation for and recognition of student services professionals, the Student Personnel Association is accepting nominations for the Outstanding Achievement Awards. For the 23rd year, SPA is expressing its gratitude to individuals who have demonstrated dedication to students and student services. SPA is indebted to the Office of the Chancellor, the Norman Bassett Foundation, the Ineva Reilly Baldwin and Ira L. Baldwin Endowment for Student Services, and the SPA membership for their support. Classified staff, academic staff, and/or faculty may be nominated for any of the awards. Awards recipients will be formally recognized at the annual SPA Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, April 23, at the Memorial Union.

Chancellor’s Award
The nominees should be recognized throughout campus as leaders in providing distinguished service to the university community and student services. They should show a record of excellence in their areas and distinctive contributions to university as a whole (for example, committee work or volunteer work beyond the scope of their offices). Nominees should have been on UW–Madison staff for minimum of 15 years. Professional involvement and recognition in professional organizations outside the campus are factors for nominees. Nominees for this award are recognized for distinctive contributions in all aspects of their professional and personal lives. The award is $1,000.

Norman Bassett Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Student Services
The Norman Bassett Foundation makes it possible to offer two awards for outstanding achievement in student services. Nominees should be able to show a record of excellence in student personnel work over a long period of time (a minimum of 10 years at UW–Madison recommended), and/or distinguished achievement in developing new, creative and effective programs for meeting student needs. Candidates who meet both criteria will be considered more favorably. Each award is $500.

Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence in Student Affairs
Nominees for this award will be evaluated on effective qualities and practices that distinguish the nominee as a leader in student affairs. Minimum of five years at UW–Madison recommended. Evidence may include, but is not limited to, strong interpersonal skills, availability to constituents, frequency of contact with colleagues and students, activities appropriate to integration of students and staff, positive attitude and collaborative effort that contributes to student affairs environment, behavior that builds strong relationships, mastery of institutional regulations, policies and procedures, attendance at and support of student affairs development programs. The award is $500.

Plan 2008 Award of Excellence
This award will recognize an individual or a group on the Madison campus for demonstrated effort in achieving the aims of Plan 2008: The UW–Madison Blueprint for Diversity. Nominees should have a clear record of involvement and service with one or more of the seven goals of the plan, in building connections and fostering an open, positive and inclusive campus community. Moreover, the recipient(s) should demonstrate a sense of initiative, advocacy, spirit and inspiration in striving toward the successful progress of Plan 2008. The award is $500.

SPA Frontline Award
The SPA Frontline Award recognizes an individual who positively influences students’ perceptions of the university. Nominees should have demonstrated commitment to serving students on a day-in and day-out basis, in a professional and caring manner. One award is given (with the possibility of two based on availability of funds). The recipient is either a first staff member a student meets in offices, or a staff member who works “behind the scenes” in successful operation of a program or unit. The award is $500.

SPA Campus Impact Award
The SPA Campus Impact Award recognizes a new professional who has been in her/his current position on campus for fewer than five years, but in that time has had a significant impact on campus. Nominees should have demonstrated a record of excellence in student personnel or have developed new, creative and effective programs for addressing student needs. One award is given (with the possibility of two based on availability of funds). The award is $500. Letters of nomination are due Monday, March 17. For materials and information: Greg Iaccarino, gjiaccar@facstaff.wisc.edu, 265-9205; http://www.wisc.edu.spa

Iron Cross Society
Faculty and staff are invited to nominate an outstanding student to Iron Cross, one of UW–Madison’s oldest and most prestigious honor societies. Candidates are chosen based on their leadership and service contributions on campus, in addition to their academic achievements. If you know an exemplary student deserving of this honor, submit your nomination by Monday, March 3, by visiting Iron Cross at http://www.iron-cross.org. Questions can be sent to ironcross@studentorg.wisc.edu.

Teaching Academy Partnership
The Teaching Academy announces a new professional development opportunity for future college and university educators. Anyone with a continuing academic connection to UW–Madison who is engaged in graduate or professional study for a career in higher education teaching (such as graduate students, teaching assistants, medical and veterinary residents, post-doctoral fellows, etc.) is eligible to be nominated to become a “Future Faculty Partner” of the Teaching Academy. Nominees should have a deep interest in and commitment to higher education teaching and should be willing to commit to one year (preferably two years) of involvement in the Teaching Academy. Through attendance at monthly meetings and participation in working groups, selected Future Faculty Partners can discuss teaching strategies and techniques with distinguished faculty and staff, and join them in addressing critical issues that concern teaching and learning in a university setting (such as interdisciplinary teaching, the impact of alcohol on teaching and learning, preparing doctoral students to teach at the college level, and much more). Completed applications are due on Friday, Feb. 28. No more than 12 partners are likely to be selected this year. Information and/or application: http://wiscinfo.doit.wisc.edu/teaching-academy/.

Returning Adult Student Awards
Faculty, staff, students, and other members of the community can submit nominations for the Dean of Students Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Awards by Monday, March 3, to the Dean of Students Office, 75 Bascom. The awards recognize two returning adult undergraduates whose exceptional determination and perseverance have enabled them to pursue their academic work and contribute to the community through leadership and service. A nominee must be enrolled as a senior degree candidate and must have begun or resumed university work after a significant interruption (usually five years or longer) in her or his formal education. Information: Sybil Pressprich, Adult and Student Services, 263-6960, spressprich@dcs.wisc.edu.

Classified Employee Recognition Program Seeks Award Nominees
The Classified Employee Recognition Program rewards outstanding service to the public and students and other significant contributions to the university. Outstanding service may be evidenced by promoting the image of the department or university through continual extension of service and courtesy; consistently promoting excellence in him/herself and colleagues; exhibiting leadership and maintaining grace under pressure/deadlines/crisis situations; or initiating/recommending innovations in service or efficiency. Community service outside the university or outside of job responsibilities also weighs heavily, as does behavior or personality that makes the workplace more pleasant. All represented and non- represented permanent classified employees are eligible. Employees may not receive awards in consecutive years. Employees must show a commitment to the university through at least five years of service. The form and process was reviewed this year to improve the selection process. As a result, the process has been changed in two ways. First, the justification for the award has been put in questionnaire format to provide you with the opportunity to address each of the selection criteria. Second, the process includes a reference check for the top two or three finalists in each of the categories to ensure the best candidate is selected. Nominations must be made no later than Friday, Feb. 28. This year the form is available for completion on the Web and may be submitted electronically. The nominations also may be sent on paper using the questionnaire format to the Classified Personnel Office, 228 Peterson. For details see: http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/ohr/whatsnew.htm.

Undergraduate Projects Sought
Faculty and staff are asked to identify undergraduates whose exemplary work could be showcased at the Fifth Annual Undergraduate Symposium on Tuesday, April 22. The symposium celebrates undergraduate students’ achievements, creativity and service learning across all schools and colleges at UW–Madison.

The submission deadline is Tuesday, March 4. Undergraduate students who are enrolled during the 2002-03 academic year are invited to apply. December 2002 graduates are eligible. Applications for oral presentations, posters, art exhibits and individual or ensemble performances representing the humanities, biological sciences, physical sciences and social sciences are welcome. For information on the symposium and how to enter, visit the Morgridge Center for Public Service Web site: http://www.morgridge.wisc.edu/symposium, or Kerstin Schaars, kschaars@wisc.edu, 262-8446.