May 5, 2009 -- Exceptional Effort Awards Nominations

Dear Colleagues:

Many of us have been required to stretch, work effectively across functions, step outside our comfort zones, and demonstrate remarkable professional skills during an exceptionally challenging year.  I appreciate everyone`s efforts to strengthen this university, and want to take this opportunity to honor a few who rose above the norm. 

I invite the university community to nominate classified and professional staff who have demonstrated excellence in performance, effective personal interaction, initiative and creativity, and overall outstanding achievement in their service and commitment to the university, for the annual President`s Exceptional Effort Awards.  If you know someone who fits that description, please submit a nomination.

Nominations by colleagues and supervisors should be provided to the appropriate Vice President or Provost by Tuesday, May 19.  Nominations must include the name of the employee, official title, department, and years of service.  Further, each nomination requires an explanation or summary as to how the employee`s performance meets any of the four (4) criteria detailed below.  Vice Presidents will forward nominations to me no later than Tuesday, May 26.  The nominations form is linked from my web pages. 

Awards will be presented at the Annual Employee Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, June 2, 2009, at 3 p.m. in the PAC Mainstage. 

Exceptional Effort Awards Criteria:

• Excellence of Performance throughout the year: Performance that consistently exceeds the quality that is expected, and has resulted in important and significant contribution to his or her work unit and the University.
• Personal Interaction: Performance that demonstrates exceptional ability and willingness to work positively and effectively with others.
• Initiative and Creativity: Performance that demonstrates an innovative approach to the job and a willingness to manage changes in work priorities, procedures, and organization.
• Outstanding Achievement: Performance that has resulted in important and significant contributions to the work unit and thus has furthered Western`s mission and strategic goals.

Questions should be addressed to your Vice President or to Buff Schoenfeld, Executive Assistant to the President (650-3472; bschoen@wwu.edu).

If you have ideas about other meaningful ways to honor the dedication of our faculty and staff (that don't necessarily cost money!), please let me know.   

Bruce