In the entertainment world, spring is “award season.” Numerous award shows fill the television schedule — the Golden Globes, Oscars, Grammys and many more. As Newman University heads into the final months of a uniquely challenging academic year, it is time to join in the fun.
The nomination process began this week for several traditional annual awards.
Teaching Faculty and Staff Excellence Awards
Director of Mission Effectiveness Charlotte Rohrbach, ASC, is inviting all current students, staff and faculty to nominate a teaching faculty member and a staff member whom they believe demonstrates and deserves Newman’s annual excellence awards.
Individuals may nominate candidates for both awards. Only those eligible for this year’s nomination are included in the dropdown on the nomination forms. The award requirements include being hired before July 1, 2019, still being employed full-time or part-time and has not received the award for the past five years.
The deadline for nominations is 11:59 p.m. March 17.
Links to nomination forms: Faculty Teaching Excellence Award 2021, Staff Excellence Award 2021.
St. Catherine’s Medal
The second-highest honor awarded to a Newman student each year is the St. Catherine’s Medal. The honor is bestowed to a junior who has demonstrated outstanding service, has earned a GPA of at least 3.0 and has established an excellent record for scholastic achievement.
Faculty and staff members are invited to nominate students for the St. Catherine’s Medal. The recommendation includes a one-paragraph explanation of why the individual is an exemplary student whose academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities and involvement in community services warrants this award.
Academic Affairs requests that nominators complete submissions by March 17, using this survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StCatherine_2020-2021.
Ablah Award – Male and Female
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kimberly Long, Ph.D., also announced through an email to faculty and staff that nominations are open through 5 p.m., March 17, for this top student honor.
Each year at spring commencement, Newman University honors one male and one female graduating senior with the Ablah Award, the university’s most prestigious student recognition. After receiving the award, these two students identify their role models and mentors. Images of the Ablah Award winners and their mentors are permanently displayed on the second floor of the Gorges Atrium.
Eligibility criteria for this award include:
- Minimum of 62 residential hours at Newman University
- 3.0 GPA
- Exemplification of the mission of Newman University through leadership, service and scholarship
Nominations are made separately for male and female candidates but a one-paragraph letter of recommendation is required.
The letter should include student accomplishments and his or her potential to make positive contributions to their community and profession following graduation.
Ablah male nomination form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Ablah_Male_2020-2021
Ablah female nomination form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Ablah_Female_2020-2021
Traditionally, the Ablah winners are revealed during commencement. However, since the university will hold two graduation ceremonies on May 7, 2021, award winners will be notified during the annual Academic Awards ceremony and then recognized at the commencement service in which they attend.
Information about the Academic Awards ceremony will be announced at a later date.
