
The deadline for all nominations is January 15th.
If you have questions you may contact Jackie Wentwort by e-mail: jawentwo@dwu.edu
or by calling (605) 995-2603. Please mail your nomination to the following
address:
Jackie Wentworth
DWU Director of Alumni Relations
1200 W University Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301-4398
PURPOSE:
To honor Alumni who have demonstrated their commitment
to “Sacrifice or Service” through personal achievement
and contributions to society and DWU.
AWARDS:
Alumnus/Alumna of the Year
To recognize an alumnus/alumna who has notable achievements in his/her profession
and contributions to DWU and society.
Young Alumnus/Alumna of the Year
To recognize an alumnus/alumna, age 35 or younger, who has notable achievements
in his/her profession and contributions to DWU and society.
Outstanding Service to Alma Mater
To recognize an alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated outstanding service to
Dakota Wesleyan University.
Humanitarian of the Year
To recognize an alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated outstanding service to
individuals, community and/or society
Outstanding Educator
To recognize an alumnus/alumna who has accomplished notable service and/or
achievement in the field of education.
Outstanding Professional Achievement
To recognize an alumnus/alumna who has notable achievements in his/her profession.
ELIGIBILITY:
All graduates of DWU are eligible for an alumni award.
Graduates who are employed by the University are also eligible so
long as they meet the criteria for the award and it is not part of
their job description.
A person may only receive one award in a given year and may not
receive the same award more than once.
NOMINATIONS:
Who can nominate an alumnus/alumna for an award?
- Anyone can nominate an alumnus/alumna for an award, including
fellow alumni, faculty, staff, students, friends of DWU, colleagues
and family members.
- Exceptions: Individuals may not nominate themselves for an award
and anonymous nominations will not be accepted.
How does a person nominate an alumnus/alumna for an award?
- Nomination forms and
detailed instructions may be obtained from the DWU website www.dwu.edu/alumni
or by calling the Alumni Office at 605-995-2603
- Nominator must complete one nomination form, a written statement
answering the individual award questions, and request two others
to submit letters of recommendation
in support of the nomination.
- Recommendation letters that support the nominee are very
helpful during the selection process, thus we would ask
that the nominator request two others to submit letters
of recommendation in support of the nomination.
- These letters are not mandatory.
When are nominations accepted?
- Nominations with all of the required materials must be received
by the Alumni Office no later than January 15th to be considered
for the current year.
- Nominations received after January 15th will be included the
following year.
- The Director of Development and Alumni Relations will review
the nomination for completeness and notify the nominator if additional
information is required.
- The Director of Development and Alumni Relations may also determine
that the nominee better fits in a different awards category than
nominated and will contact the nominator to discuss.
What does the nominee need to do?
- All Nominees will be contacted by the Director of Development
and Alumni Relations one to two weeks after the January 15th deadline
for nominations.
- Nominees will be asked to complete a Biographical Information
Form and resume and return to DWU by February 5th.
- If a nominee does not return the requested information by the
designated deadline, the Director of Development an d Alumni Relations
will contact the nominee to discuss whether or not they want to
be considered for the award. If they do, they will be given a 5
day grace period in which to submit the completed form. If the
form is not received by the date designated the nomination will
be deemed null and void. If the nominee chooses not to accept the
nomination they will be removed from consideration and the nominator
notified.
How long does a nominee stay on the nominee listing?
- The Alumni Office maintains a listing of nominees in each award
category.
- Nominees not selected as an award recipient in the first year
nominated will remain as a nominee for three years, after which
time they would need to be re-nominated.
- The nominee will be asked to update their biographical information
each year that they are on the nominee list.
- If a nominee dies while on the nominee listing they will remain
on the list for the remainder of that year and subsequently removed.
How will the Alumni Board advertise
for nominations?
- All nomination forms and the alumni awards process will be maintained
on the Alumni website.
- Once a year nominations for awards will be advertised in the
Wesleyan Today.
- Mass e-mails and/or mass mailings will also be done at least
once a year.
SELECTION PROCESS:
The alumni award recipients are selected by the Alumni
Board at the March board meeting.
Approximately 2 weeks before the March meeting the Alumni Office
will send the Board members the nomination materials. Board members
will review the nomination materials, select their top three choices
in each category and submit to the Alumni Office prior to the meeting.
The Alumni Office will compile the results and the top three votes
received in each category will make the final selection list to be
voted upon at the meeting. During the Board meeting the top three
choices in each category are discussed and final selections made
via secret ballot. In case of a tie there is a run-off.
AWARD RECIPIENT NOTIFICATION:
Once the award recipients have been selected the
Director of Development and Alumni Relations will first notify the
recipients by phone. Secondly, each award recipient will receive
a personal congratulatory letter from the University President. The
Director of Development and Alumni Relations will then follow-up
with a letter containing the details for the banquet and will request
any additional information needed from recipients to prepare for
the banquet.
RECEIVING THE AWARD:
The awards, with the exception of Young Alumnus/Alumna
of the Year, are presented at the DWU Alumni Days Awards banquet.
The Young Alumnus/Alumna of the Year award is presented during Blue & White
Days in the fall.
Each award winner will be asked to give an acceptance speech at
the awards banquet.
If the award recipient is unable to attend the awards banquet they may submit
an acceptance letter, tape, video or have some accept the award on his/her
behalf.
Each award recipient will be given four comp tickets to the awards
banquet and may invite others to attend at the banquet fee.
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