Distinguished Service Award

This is the highest honor a staff member can receive at Illinois State. Recipients must have been employed at the university for at least 5 years and can receive the award only once in 7 years. Nominees will be judged on three criteria: Job Performance; Campus/University Involvement; Community Service. These criteria should reflect nominee's contributions within the past 2-3 years. Individuals may be nominated for uncommon achievement in at least two of the categories; however, higher consideration will be given to individuals who have made contributions in all three areas. Recipients receive a $1,000 cash award and a plaque. Please access the links below for the criteria and application form.

Apply

Applications will be accepted from October 23, 2023 to November 10, 2023 at 4:30 p.m..

Download the application for the Distinguished Service Award

Purpose

The University Distinguished Service Award is designed to acknowledge the demonstrated outstanding contributions by Civil Service and/or A/P staff to the work of the University. This award is intended to encourage professional development and improve morale by honoring sustained contributions made by selected individuals. This award is the highest non-faculty award given by the University. This award’s criteria are based on significant contributions over a period of time.

Administration of the Program

Each Council for the purpose of selection recipients of these awards will convene separate selection committees.

Criteria for Distinguished Service Award

Nominees will be judged on three criteria: job performance, campus/university involvement, and community service. These criteria are defined below. Individuals may be nominated for uncommon achievement in at least two of the categories; however, higher considerations will be given to individuals who have made contributions in all three areas.

Job Performance

Nominations should provide evidence of exemplary job performance and accomplishments in all areas of responsibility. These may include, but not limited to, innovative and creative thinking, performance, decisive actions, cooperation and willingness to share knowledge.

Campus/University Involvement

Personal contributions made to the University that are not considered part of the nominee's assigned job duties. Contributions may consist of interaction with applicants, students, students' family members, alumni, or interactions with other current employees and/or their family members. Examples of Campus/University involvement are: assisting with events such as Passages, Homecoming, Graduation; serving on campus committees or search committees; or serving as an ambassador for Wellness, SECA or Gladly We Give.

Community Service

A candidate's community service may consist of personal contributions made to community organizations or institutions. Examples of community service are volunteering at events for non-profit organizations (i.e. Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Humane Society, etc.), or at his/her church or other institutions such as nursing homes or hospitals. Taking ones' turn(s) at the concession stand during his/her child's/grandchild's sporting events is NOT considered community service; however, voluntarily coaching the team an entire season would be considered community service.

Eligibility

All current Civil Service staff employed at the University for at least five consecutive years are eligible for this award. Any University employee or student may submit a nomination. An employee may receive this award no more than once in a seven year period. Multiple recipients may be selected each year.

Award

Each winner of the University Distinguished Service Award will receive a $1,000 one-time cash award.