AWARD OF DISTINCTION

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2018 Award of Distinction.

Each year, the Award of Distinction Program recognizes approximately 10-15 university employees who have made outstanding contributions to the Emory community. Honorees are recognized at a special dinner and also receive a $1,000 award.

 

  ELIGIBILITY

All regular full-time and part-time staff, who have been employed for at least one year are eligible to be nominated for the Award of Distinction. Previous awardees are also eligible.

Those not eligible for nomination include faculty, faculty equivalents, librarians, board approved principals, employees of Emory Healthcare, and Emory retirees.

 

  NOMINATION PROCESS

We invite nominations for employees who have consistently demonstrated outstanding job performance and who have made specific contributions that have impacted their department/school or the university. Nominations should be based on consistent excellence in the performance of job duties and responsibilities and should cite examples of how the nominee has demonstrated:

• service and contributions in the work environment that have been rendered above and beyond the call of duty, and/or

• exemplary personal qualities that have enhanced the overall effectiveness of, or public regard for, the services provided by the department or university

Nominations can be made by faculty, staff or supervisors and require the endorsement of the nominee's supervisor. Employees may not nominate themselves.

A department/school/division may submit one nomination for every 50 Full-Time Employee regular staff.

To nominate someone, use the 2018 Award of Distinction Nomination Form (interactive MS Word form). Send completed nominations via email to Kay Manning at kay.manning@emory.edu. Do not fax your nomination. Nomination forms must be completed no later than Thursday, August 30, 2018, 5:00 pm. Nominations received by HR after 5:00 pm on the deadline date will not be considered.

Nomination summaries cannot exceed 500 words.

Support letters: As an optional supplement to your nomination, you can include up to three letters of support (multiple people can sign a letter of support). Letters of support are not required for a complete submission, but can demonstrate broad support for the nominee. If you wish to provide letters, please e-mail them along with your nomination form to Kay Manning at kay.manning@emory.edu. Only letters of support received by the deadline of 5:00 pm, August 30, 2018 will be included with your nomination application and submitted to the review committee.

 

  NOMINATION CATEGORIES

A nominees' contributions should be demonstrated through the employee's successful efforts to create and implement collaborative initiatives between schools and/or units that produce meaningful results towards one or more of the following categories:

• Development of a program or process that directly impacts the university’s vision and mission

• Demonstrated commitment to the public good, which is a defining part of Emory’s character, through the use of one’s talents and abilities for personal and/or global goals

• Exemplary contribution while serving on a university committee, task force or commission

• Significant contribution to an innovation resulting in increased customer satisfaction for students, employees, visitors or alumni

• Creative suggestion or initiative resulting in a new successful program or service for a department or for the university

• Innovation resulting in increased efficiency or decreased costs in a department or for the university

• Establishment of a program or procedure that has improved the safety and security of the Emory community

• Exceptional contribution which advances and supports the quality of teaching or research

• Demonstrated actions which have improved or advanced the university's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

• Long-time, exceptional service and dedication to Emory which has led to a legacy of achievement over the span of one’s career

 

  SELECTION PROCESS

Human Resources reviews each nomination for eligibility and completeness, and then routes each nomination to the Award Selection Committee. The Award Selection Committee is appointed by the Vice President of Human Resources and includes former awardees.

The Committee evaluates all submissions using the information described in the nomination categories and selects 10 to 15 award recipients each year.

 

  COMMUNICATION AND CELEBRATION

Human Resources notifies each award recipient and his/her respective dean or vice president. A dinner is held to honor the recipients of the Award of Distinction. The honoree is accompanied by a guest of his/her choice. The honoree's picture and excerpts from the nomination letter are publicized in the Emory Report. The 2018 Award of Distinction dinner will be held on October 18, 2018.

 

  TIPS FOR SUBMITTING A COMPETITIVE NOMINATION

• Follow the internal process of your department or school. Most units have their own procedures for how these nominations are submitted up through their leadership. Before you begin a nomination submission, you should check with your HR Rep or HR leader to ensure that your nominee is eligible for consideration and that departmental leadership will support the nomination. In the past, some nominations have not made it through to committee review because internal protocols were not followed.

• Take your time to put together a good nomination. One or two sentences will not make for a competitive nomination.

• Gather support letters. While not required, these show broad support for your nominee.

• Don’t wait until the last minute. Allow yourself time to put together a competitive packet and ensure that all the necessary signatures are obtained.

 

  LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AWARD

• Read about the 2017 Award Recipients
• View Other Past Award Recipients

 

  NEED HELP?

If you have any general questions about the Award of Distinction or are having any technical issues submitting your form, please contact Kay Manning at kay.manning@emory.edu or 404-727-7550.