Office of the Dean
Graduate Studies
Date: March 15, 2007
To: Deans Council, Chairs/Directors, Graduate Program Directors, Graduate Council
From: Priscilla J. Kimboko, Graduate Dean
RE:
Graduate Dean’s Citation for Excellence Nominations due March 30
The Graduate Dean’s Citations for Excellence include the:

Awards for Academic Excellence in the Major (AEM)

Award for Excellence in Service to the Community/Profession (ESC/P)

Award for Excellence in Leadership/Service to GVSU (EL/SG)

Outstanding Thesis Award (OTA)
 Outstanding ‘Final Project’ Award (OFPA)

Outstanding Publication Award (OPA)
All these awards are intended for graduating students only, who will have completed all their degree requirements by the end of the semester
For each nominee, the nomination should be comprised of letters of support from at least two faculty members in the major and the graduate program director/coordinator. (ideally three letters, but in some instances a letter from a faculty member and the director) will do. Submit nomination letters and supporting documentation by March 30 th
. Include a student resume, and, as appropriate, a copy of the thesis or project or publication.
For the Academic Excellence in a Major,
Only nominate a student whom you and your faculty agree is outstanding. And if no one meets those criteria, then don’t nominate anyone. There can be one student from each major (so, for example, Public Administration and Health Administration). Submit a letter that details why you are recommending this student (grade point average, outstanding performance in coursework, academic skills that exceed the average in terms of written assignments, projects, service, leadership).
For the Excellence in Service to Community and/or Profession:
Nominees should be graduating students who have provided outstanding service and leadership in the community and/or profession (beyond the GVSU campus). Any faculty or staff member who has observed this student’s performance may lend their support to the nomination. Letters should address the ways in which the student’s service has benefited the community and/or the profession.
For the Excellence in Leadership/Service to GVSU:

Nominees should be graduating students who have taken active leadership and service roles at Grand Valley state university. Nominations may be supported by any faculty or staff member who has had the opportunity to observe and evaluate the student’s leadership. Letters should address ways in which the student’s leadership and service have impacted the university.
For the Outstanding Thesis Award:
Ideally this student should have completed a thesis and/or have completed the defense of the thesis. The thesis should demonstrate outstanding scholarship, be of publishable quality (format, citations, and so on), and on a topic of exceptional significance to the profession or discipline. Excellence in design, analysis, and discussion, as well as excellence of the overall thesis document are expected.
For the Outstanding Final Project Award,
Ideally this will be a project that has been completed, with a written report or product, that demonstrates excellence in its conception, merit, significance, and it its presentation
(written or otherwise). Student should be graduating this semester.
For the Outstanding Publication Award,
Nominees will be graduating students whose work has been published in a professional journal or accepted for publication. The student shall serve as a primary author. The publication may be an article or other product appropriate to the profession or discipline (case study, protocol, and so on).
Discussion:
Students may be nominated for more than one award, if eligible. Awards will be made only if the review committee determines that there is a nominee who rises to the level of excellence by which GVSU wishes to be known. Students will be recognized at the
Graduate Student Celebration on April 20, to be held in Loosemore Auditorium in the evening. More on this event later, but hold the date.