What's in an Award?

September
2009
Chair-Standards and Practices Committee

My most favorite award ever was the gift of a Walt Disney tee-shirt that listed Crabby, Cranky, Grouchy, and Grumpy as my leading attributes. However, this past year I was bestowed with a Volunteer of the Year award from an organization related to my discipline. Contrary to the basking glow of April campaign speeches I don't suffer fame and spotlights as well as some seem to. I am a doer more than anything else. But what finally got under my belt was seeing the commemorative plaque tucked away in a back corner of an old barn listing all the past winners of this award. Seeing my name listed next to a group of people whom I have immense respect for didn't so much flatter my ego, which is a reaction I detest within myself. Instead I felt a sense of increased respect for the others on the list, and for those who may someday be on it. It brought home the idea that I have an obligation towards sustaining the organization and helping it to flourish so that others too may be inspired to their own personal greatness. It was a recognition of a job done well by many with my name merely being in the barrel this time around because so many choose to show up and work hard.

Unlike an election, winning an award is not something one aspires to, but aspiration is a critical component of the awards process. For those of us who would take on the role of nominators, we need to get off our duffs and aspire to inspire. The Academic Senate has several annual awards that are intended to be celebrations of our colleagues, our students and their mutual community efforts towards changing lives. These can be found at http://www.asccc.org/LocalSenates/Aw.htm. The latest timelines are being developed and posted as this is being published but if you have any questions feel free to drop me a note. wnorth [at] sdccd.edu

Use these opportunities to celebrate your colleagues, your students, and their accomplishments. Make their nomination a big deal in your senate processes and at your Board of Trustees meetings. Make what they are doing matter to those around them. We often talk about developing new leaders; what better way is there than to celebrate and inspire them through a nomination. And dismiss the idea that nominees need to be incredible to the point of omnipotence. You know who the winners are around you; engage in a process to pick one and move their candidacy forward.

There are four annual awards granted:

  • Jonnah Laroche Memorial Scholarship Award
  • Exemplary Program Award
  • Stanback Stroud Diversity Award
  • Hayward Award

Because of timing between North and South recipients the next Jonnah Laroche award will not be given until Fall 2010, but the other three are open for the 09-10 year.
 

Exemplary Program Award

The Exemplary Program Awards were established in 1991 by the Board of Governors to recognize outstanding community college programs. Two California Community College programs receive cash awards of $4,000 and four programs receive honorable mention plaques. The program is sponsored by the Foundation for California Community Colleges. The call for Exemplary Awards will come out the first week of October.
 

Stanback Stroud Diversity Award

In Spring 1998, the Plenary Body adopted a resolution (3.03 S98) to create a diversity award to recognize faculty in California community colleges who work to promote the success of our diverse student population. The Stanback Stroud Award was developed to acknowledge the work of faculty making special contributions in the area of student success for diverse students. All faculty, both inside and outside of the classroom, are eligible for consideration. One faculty member receives a cash award of $5,000 and a plaque. The call for the Diversity Award will come out the first week of December.
 

Hayward Award

In 1985 the Board of Governors of California Community Colleges, in honor of the former state Chancellor, Gerald C. Hayward, created awards for outstanding community college faculty. The awards honor community college faculty members who demonstrate the highest level of commitment to their students, college, and profession. Recipients are nominated by their local peers and selected as winners by representatives of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges. Each winner receives a cash award of $1,250 and a plaque. The call for the Hayward Award will come out the first week of November.

Watch your mail box for the announcement of these award opportunities. However, please note that all the applications will be available on our website in September.