The Division of Student Life celebrates the achievements and service of its staff and students, without whom we could not accomplish all we do.
Nominate An Outstanding Staff Member
Candidates for awards may be nominated by anyone within the Division of Student Life and will be evaluated based on the information provided in the nomination form. Honorees will be selected in accordance with the award criteria listed below, based upon the degree of demonstrated excellence and the impact of the honoree’s actions as outlined in the nomination letter. Strong nominees may exhibit several of the characteristics listed below. The Awards Committee prefers nomination letters under one page in length and values quality over quantity. All submitted materials will be reviewed by committee members and external reviewers to formulate the award recommendations. After recipients are announced each year, the nominees will receive a copy of the nomination materials. Outside of nominees and committee members, the nomination materials will be confidential.
Before you begin a nomination form, it is in best practice to gather all the information you will need to submit. The form will ask for the name, department and email of both the nominator and the person being nominated. The form will also ask the following prompts:
Please explain or give examples of special achievements that illustrate the exceptional ability this individual has exhibited.
If applicable, please explain how this individual’s contributions have influenced team effort and improved overall function of the department.
Additional to these open-ended questions, all nomination forms allow for up to three letters of support to be attached. The letters of support serve an instrumental role in the evaluation of nominees and selection of award recipients each year, so it is encouraged to be diligent with your letters of support. Nominators may also collect letters of support from others on campus who have experience with your nominee.
Student nominations for the 2024-2025 academic year will close March 16. Staff nominations will close April 18.
Student Life Divisional Awards
To nominate someone for an award, simply read the descriptions below and click on the award you’d like to nominate them for. You’ll then be directed to a form where you can provide details about their achievements and impact.
Division of Student Life Mission Excellence Award
The Division of Student Life Mission Excellence Award recognizes those staff who embody and exemplify the mission of maximizing student’s learning experiences through the focus of the strategic priorities established periodically. The recipient(s) of this award will reflect service leadership in promoting and enhancing strategic priorities to the enhancement of the campus community.
Award Criteria:
- Efforts exemplify maximizing students’ learning experiences
- Contribution to a divisional strategic priority
- Models servant leadership
- Benefit of efforts to UA students
- Role model of excellence (relationships, accomplishments, self-improvement, above/beyond, unique qualities/contributions)
- Work brings attention and distinction to the unit/department/division
- Performs duties above and beyond what is normally expected
- Nomination gives specific examples of contribution.
Harry J. Knopke Award for Meritorious Service
The Knopke Award is named for Dr. Harry J. Knopke, Vice President for Student Affairs from 1990 to 1997. This award is presented to Student Life outstanding office, technical, and clerical employees (formerly non-exempt employees) whose service to all our constituents is of an exceptional nature.
Award Criteria:
- Work brings attention and distinction to the unit/department/division
- Performs duties above and beyond what is normally expected
- Clear benefit of efforts to UA students
- Role Model of Excellence (relationships, accomplishments, self-improvement, unique qualities/contributions)
- Consistently exhibits professionalism
- Demonstrates initiative
- Works diligently to complete critical work projects
- Asset to the unit/department/division
- Nomination gives specific examples of contributions
John L. “Jack” Baier Award for Meritorious Service
The Baier Award is named for Dr. Jack Baier, former Vice President for Student Affairs. This award is presented to Student Life outstanding managerial and administrative employees (formerly exempt employees) whose service to all our constituents is of an exceptional nature.
Award Criteria:
- Work brings attention and distinction to the unit/department/division
- Performs duties above and beyond what is normally expected
- Clear benefit of efforts to UA students
- Role Model of Excellence (relationships, accomplishments, self-improvement, unique qualities/contributions)
- Consistently exhibits professionalism
- Demonstrates initiative
- Works diligently to complete critical work projects
- Asset to the unit/department/division
- Nomination gives specific examples of contributions
Molly Lawrence Award for Internal Collaboration
The Lawrence Award is named for Molly Lawrence, who retired as associate vice president for Student Affairs in 2016. To celebrate her 45-year long career at the Capstone, this award was created in her honor in 2020. Lawrence was known throughout her career as an intelligent and creative problem solver. With her calm and steadying presence, she is devoted to The University of Alabama and its students. This award is presented to individuals or teams within the Division of Student Life who have demonstrated outstanding internal collaboration and whose service to the University, Student Life, and our students is of an exceptional nature.
Award Criteria:
- Successful partnership within the Division of Student Life or its departments or units
- Evidence of innovation or creative problem solving
- Efforts maximize the use of resources (human, financial, or other)
- Nomination gives specific examples of contributions
- Long-term sustainability of partnership or outcomes of efforts
Penny Allen Award for Contributions to Student Life
The Penny Allen Award was established in 1983 to honor Professor Emeritus Sara B. Penny Allen’s selfless service, unfailing commitment, leadership and contributions to student life at UA. She was a social worker for many years at Bryce Hospital, a teacher at The School of Social Work at UA, and chair of the University Union Board of Governors. She valued the Union, now The University of Alabama Student Center, because of its role in unifying campus and bringing diverse populations together. The award is given to one faculty or staff member at UA.
Award Criteria:
- Made significant contributions to student life at the Capstone
Outstanding Student Awards
This award is given to Student Life undergraduate and graduate student(s) whose service to all our constituents is of an exceptional nature. Awards will be given in three (3) categories:
- Undergraduate Student (Employee/Intern)
- Graduate Student (Employee/Intern)
- Student Volunteer (Undergraduate or Graduate)
Award Criteria:
- Performs duties above and beyond what is normally expected
- Benefit of efforts to UA students
- Role model of excellence (relationships, accomplishments, self-improvement, unique qualities/contributions)
- Demonstrates initiative
- Works diligently to complete critical work projects
- Asset to the unit/department/divisions
- Nomination gives specific examples of contributions
Sybil R. Todd Award for Excellence in Partnerships
The Todd Award is named for Dr. Sybil Todd, Vice President for Student Affairs from 1998 to 2003. This award is presented to individuals or organizations outside of the Division of Student Life who have demonstrated excellence in partnership and whose service to all our constituents is of an exceptional nature.
Award Criteria:
- Successful partnership with the Division of Student Life or its departments or units
- Evidence of benefit to UA students
- Value of contributions to the Division of Student Life or its departments or units
- Efforts exemplify maximizing students’ learning experiences
- Focus on a divisional strategic priority
Emerging Professional Award
The Appreciation and Recognition Committee is proud to announce an award aimed at the talents of professionals who have been with the Division for one to three years. The benefits of this award will draw distinction to its nominees and create a culture of excellence and stability by investing in the newest group of staff in the Division. This award is designed to honor the service of. our high performing new professionals to our division or to the profession as a whole.
Award Criteria:
- Performs duties above and beyond what is expected in their role
- Benefit of efforts directly and positively impacts UA students
- Role model of excellence (relationships, accomplishments, self-improvement, above/beyond, unique qualities/contributions)
- Work brings attention and distinction to the unit/department/division
- Involvement in outside organizations to benefit the UA community
- Nomination gives specific examples of contributions
- Nominations from student employees or mentees would act as additional supporting documents
Past Award Recipients
Congratulations to our past recipients! Your commitment to the Division of Student Life does not go unnoticed. We are thankful for the legacy you have created at the University of Alabama.