The purpose of these awards is to foster excellence in the workplace by rewarding and recognizing unclassified professional staff who achieve excellence and/or make exemplary contributions to the mission and values of K-State through service as a team player, exceptional productivity, creativity or innovation, distinguished accomplishment, and/or leadership.
All unclassified professional staff members with a minimum of three years of continuous service, who are employed at a five-tenths or greater regular or term appointment, shall be eligible for the award. The University Handbook defines unclassified professionals as "all individuals who do not hold academic rank and do not have a civil service classification."
Nominees are eligible for a maximum of one award in an application year. An employee may receive this award only once every five years.
Unclassified professionals may be nominated in one or more of the following areas of accomplishment. Additional information is provided on the nomination form.
Current faculty, staff, administrators, and/or students at Kansas State University may nominate individuals to be considered for this award. No self-nominations will be accepted. All nominations will be confidential. Nominations require the completion of the nomination form (pdf) and are due February 1, 2013.
Nominations will be reviewed and awarded by the President's Award of Excellence for Unclassified Professionals Selection Committee.
Four award winners will be selected annually, one in each category. The award(s) will be presented in the spring of each year. The recipient(s) will receive a letter of commendation from the President of the University, a monetary award of $1000, and acknowledgement in the K-Statement. The recipient(s) also will be recognized at a reception hosted by the President.
A university committee appointed by the president will consist of seven voting and one ex-officio member. Representatives will be selected from the faculty (1), classified staff (1), undergraduate students (1), graduate students (1), and unclassified professionals (3). After the first year, committee appointments will be staggered to provide continuity. Committee members will serve terms no longer than two years.
Classified Senate, Faculty Senate, Student Governing Association and the Graduate Student Council will provide the names for their respective constituencies. Faculty Senate will recommend four individuals (one faculty member and three unclassified professionals). The ex-officio member will be appointed by the Associate Vice President of Human Resources and will serve as the point of contact for the award. Broad representation across the various campuses, and inclusive of the offices of Research and Extension, is encouraged.
Contact the Division of Human Resources for additional information at 785-532-6277 or HROffice@k-state.edu.