Nominations being accepted for President's Exceptional Effort Awards

Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard is seeking nominations for the 2010 Exceptional Effort Awards.

In an e-mail sent to WWU faculty and staff Monday, Shepard acknowledged the professional skills and dedication of those on campus:

"I know how much you have been required to stretch, take on more, work effectively across functions, and adapt to and help lead changes. Your remarkable professional skills during an exceptionally challenging year are deeply appreciated. And, the time of year is approaching when we have the opportunity to recognize, from among so many fine people, some of our most exceptional colleagues.

"I ask that you consider nominating 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 President's Exceptional Effort Awards."

Nominations should discuss how the individual meets the following four 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.

Award recipients will be recognized with a special gift at the Spring Recognition Award Ceremony on Tuesday, May 4. Award recipients also will be invited to join Shepard and his wife, Cyndie, for dinner at their home that evening along with their spouses/partners, the nominators and their spouses/partners and the vice presidents.

Nominations must be submitted online by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 2.

Questions regarding the awards should be addressed to Barbara Stoneberg at (360) 650-7614 or barbara.stoneberg@wwu.edu.