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A message from Iowa State University President, Wendy Wintersteen:

Dear Iowa State Community,

With less than one month remaining in the fall semester, I would like to take a few moments to reflect on, and recognize, the tremendous efforts of Iowa State’s faculty, staff, and graduate students. This collective effort, at all levels of the institution, has enabled the University to continue to carry out its land-grant mission of teaching, research, and extension through this extraordinary time.

To celebrate these extraordinary efforts, I am pleased to announce the creation of a
COVID-19 Exceptional Effort Awards Program to recognize the exceptional and innovative ways you have strived to overcome the challenges of the pandemic.

Who is eligible? All faculty, staff, and graduate students – including those in emergency or temporary status; at any rank or classification; part-time or full-time; and regardless of length of employment – are eligible for nomination. Nominations are
encouraged from the entire institution (operations and finance, student affairs, academic affairs, and units reporting to the President’s office).

Nominating your peers
Nominations may be submitted by completing an electronic nomination form.

Nominations are limited to 500 words and must describe clearly why the nominee(s) merits recognition. No supplementary materials or letters of support are needed. Nominations will be evaluated by a central review committee which
will seek to balance recognition across the institution.

Individual awardees will receive a certificate, formal public recognition, and a $500 stipend. Units or teams selected for an award will receive a certificate, formal public recognition and a monetary award to support a unit or team priority need. These monetary awards are made possible by university supporters who are proud of your efforts.

Multiple categories
The award categories are intentionally broad with the goal of recognizing individuals, teams, units, and collaborative efforts:

Excellence in Face-to-Face Instruction Award

Excellence in Remote Instruction Award

Graduate Student Teaching Impact Award

Excellence in Instructional Support Award

Research Impact Award

Graduate Student Research Impact Award

Extension Impact Award

Principles of Community Champion Award

Exemplary Team or Unit Effort Award

Exemplary Operational Support Award

Exemplary Student Support Award

University Hero Award

Multiple winners are expected to be chosen in many categories.

November 20 deadline
The deadline for submission of nominations is Friday, November 20, 2020. Winners will be announced in December.

Thank you, again, for rising to the challenge of the fall semester, and for taking time to nominate your colleagues.

Wendy Wintersteen

President