Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Rewards and Recognition Program
Office of Human Resources
Revised 05/2016
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s Rewards and Recognition Program seeks to highlight
employee excellence that exists in all areas and job functions across the Institute. Employee
recognition can be conveyed in many ways (i.e.: saying thank you, giving praise, providing
opportunity, or showing respect). Being recognized for achievements, knowing that one’s
contributions matter to the Institute and the opportunity for growth and professional development
have a considerable impact on employee satisfaction and commitment.
Program Objectives:
1. To recognize employees for their exceptional contributions
2. To provide a continuum of opportunities to acknowledge and recognize members of the
Rose-Hulman community
3. To recognize that each employee can make a difference
4. To foster an environment of shared success and commitment
5. To highlight behaviors and activities that have benefited the Institute and to showcase
employee role models
Annual Awards
President’s Outstanding Service Award-(Annual)
Nominations:
Nomination form is sent in March of each year to all employees by Human Resources
Selection:
President selects a staff member as recipient. The recipient may be selected only once.
Criteria:
Staff member exemplifies the dedication required to make RHIT the world’s best
undergraduate engineering, mathematics and science educational institution.
Award:
A plaque, prominently displayed in Hadley Hall, includes the employee’s name and
picture for the following academic year along with names of past winners. The recipient
is given a personalized plaque and monetary award ($5,000) at commencement in May.
1
Board of Trustees’ Outstanding Scholar Award-(Annual)
Nominations:
President nominates faculty members annually in April
Selection:
President and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees select a faculty member as recipient.
The recipient must be a tenured faculty member. Recipient may be selected only once.
Criteria:
1. Committed to excellence in creative scholarly activities
2. Exhibit excellent teaching methods
3. Conduct research to provide new knowledge through teaching
4. Serve as a mentor for students
5. Make contributions to the scientific literature
Award:
A plaque, prominently displayed in Hadley Hall, includes the employee’s name and
picture for the following academic year along with names of past winners. The recipient
is given a personalized plaque and monetary award ($5,000) at commencement in May.
Dean’s Outstanding Teacher Award-(Annual)
Nominations:
Nominations are managed by an advisory team comprised of the three most recent
recipients of the award, serving a three year term and reporting to the Dean of the
Faculty. Recommendations are solicited from students and department heads annually in
April. The advisory team recommends three faculty members as nominees to the Dean.
Selection:
Dean of Faculty selects a faculty member as the recipient. The recipient must be a
tenured faculty member. Recipient may be selected only once.
Criteria:
1. Exhibit outstanding teaching methods
2. Excellent student evaluations
3. Has earned respect and admiration from colleagues and students
4. Assist students to discover their potential for growth through learning
Award:
A plaque, prominently displayed in Hadley Hall, includes the employee’s name and
picture for the following academic year along with names of past winners. The recipient
is given a personalized plaque and monetary award ($5,000) at commencement in May.
2
Shining Star Award-(Annual)
Nominations:
Nomination form is sent annually to all employees in March from Human Resources.
The award recognizes a staff member with a minimum of one year but less than five
years of continuous service. Each recipient may be selected only once.
Selection:
Nominating committee is comprised of a diverse membership which includes three
faculty and three staff appointed by the President to serve a two year term. Every effort
is made to create a diverse nominating committee. Previous award recipients may also
serve on the nominating committee.
Criteria:
1. Demonstrates an outstanding level of excellence and knowledge through their job
performance
2. Demonstrates exemplary leadership within their department
3. Contributes to improving the quality of life at Rose-Hulman
4. Demonstrates commitment to the ideals of the educational process through personal
and/or professional growth by participating in professional development opportunities
5. Demonstrates successful interpersonal relationships
Award:
Recipients receive a small gift and a monetary award ($1,500) at the annual
commencement dinner in May.
Excellence in Service Award-(Annual)
Nominations:
Nomination form is sent annually to all employees in March from Human Resources.
The award recognizes committees or teams within a department or who have partnered
with another department to provide excellent service.
Selection:
Nominating committee is comprised of a diverse membership which includes three
faculty and three staff appointed by the President to serve a two year term. Previous
award recipients may also serve on the nominating committee.
Criteria:
1. Approach tasks as opportunities for learning and professional growth
2. Demonstrate significant positive impact on a new or existing activity, program or project
3. Create more efficient and/or less costly ways of performing work functions
4. Display a caring attitude and commitment to teamwork/committee work
5. Complete an important project or milestone
3
Award:
A plaque is displayed in Hadley Hall for the following academic year. Each
team/committee member is given a monetary award ($1,500) at the commencement
dinner in May.
Make a Difference Award-(Annual) (new for 2016)
Nominations:
Nomination form is sent annually to all employees in March from Human Resources.
This award recognizes a staff member with at least five years of continuous service who
has made a difference in the lives of others throughout the year. Each recipient may be
selected only once.
Selection:
Nominating committee is comprised of a diverse membership which includes three
faculty and three staff appointed by the President to serve a two year term. Previous
award recipients may also serve on the nominating committee.
Criteria:
1. Is one of Rose-Hulman’s “Unsung Heroes” who truly makes a difference
2. Makes a positive impact on the campus community
3. Demonstrates sincere cooperation, positive attitude and exceptional willingness to
assist others above and beyond normal job expectations
4. Performs special acts of kindness or service for students, parents, visitors or
employees
Award:
Recipients receive a small gift and a monetary award ($1,500) at the annual
commencement dinner in May.
Annual Length of Service Awards
Length of service awards are given to faculty and staff beginning with 20 years of service and in
5 year increments, thereafter.
Award:
Recipients receive a small gift at the annual commencement dinner in May. The
recipient’s picture is displayed in the “20 Years of Service” hallway in Moench Hall.
Promotion to Full Professor
Faculty promoted to rank of Full Professor are presented a red tam by the Dean of the Faculty at
the commencement dinner in May to be worn at commencement each year thereafter. The
honored faculty participates as a member of the PTR committee for the next three years.
4
Criteria:
Must demonstrate a sustained record of excellence in teaching, professional development
and service, and establish themselves as role models for junior faculty members. Only in
an exceptional case is this demonstration possible in less than twelve years after receiving
a Ph.D. and six years as an Associate Professor. Thus, the initial consideration for
promotion to Full Professor comes after this record has been clearly established.
Retiree Recognition Program
Criteria:
Faculty and staff members who retire at age 62 or older with at least 15 years of service
Award:
Recipients receive a Rose-Hulman embossed captain chair or rocking chair and a RoseHulman embossed crystal elephant. These are presented at an Institute-sponsored
reception in honor of their retirement.
5