Ross A. Nielsen Professional Service Award

• To be eligible, individuals must possess and document a meritorious record of internal service and external service. Service is defined as continuing productive service that is related to the candidate's profession, the University, various organizational elements, and to society.
   
  • Internal Service is that provided to the University and/or its various elements. Internal services includes, but is not limited to significant involvement on committees involved with establishing and implementing policies, programs, and procedures, as well as involvement with student organizations and student life.
     
  • ​External Service is that provided to individuals, groups and/or organizations outside the University. External service involves, but is not limited to, activities such as work performed for professional associations, journals, and external constituent groups.
     
  • A comprehensive contribution to both internal and external service should be reflected by the individual receiving this award. Both are of value to the ongoing welfare of the University and to the professional development of the faculty. It becomes the responsibility of the selection committee to identify the individual faculty member whose overall professional service contributions have provided the greatest effect on the University, the profession, and society. It will be uncommon that the recipient of the award has presented a record of contribution in but one of the two service areas.
     

Selection Procedures

1. The selection process begins with the nomination of faculty by colleagues. A nomination form must be completed by November 4, 2024, which will forwarded to the Chair of your College Senate. The nomination form includes an indication of the nominee's willingness to be named and a brief description of how the nominated faculty member's service merits consideration for this award.
    
2. The College Senate Chair will refer nominations to the College Awards Committee, which will select a maximum of two faculty members to be forwarded to the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President via the nominee submission form by November 18, 2024.
    
3. The nominees that are selected by the College Awards Committee will be notified by the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President. The nominees will compile the following materials and submit them using the nominee application  by February 24, 2025. 
    
   • A current vita
      
   • *optional* annotated service history (max of 5 pages) listing the nominee's most important service activities (university, community, and disciplinary) relating to their role as a member of the faculty
      
   • A maximum of five additional supportive documents (e.g., letters referring to the quality of service; reports that were products of the service).
      

Selection Committee

The University Committee is selected by the Provost or designee in consultation with College Senate Chairs. It will consist of one representative from each academic college, one student, and two members of the Emeritus Faculty Association. It will review all materials and forward a recommendation to the Provost and Executive Vice President.  The Committee’s recommendation shall remain confidential until the Provost and Executive Vice President announces the recipient.