BBS Awards 2006: Nomination Criteria

There are many faculty, staff and students who through their efforts and achievements show extraordinary commitment to the continued excellence of the BBS program, that is, to the excellence of our graduate education. We understand that these people are often not recognized in any way for their extra time and creative energy spent on BBS efforts. When faculty are reviewed for promotions or tenure, their sucesses in teaching and mentoring and serving on non-departmental committees are often not considered. Staff do not get paid more for their successful efforts and students are often discouraged from contributing time to efforts outside the lab. We know that these people's contributions to the program significantly enhances our education. We choose to recognize these contributions and achievements that strive for excellence by presenting the following awards.

In doing so, we hope to:

We accept that presenting these awards carries a responsibility to apply the highest possible standards in choosing awardees that have made a substantial and significant contribution. Only through a careful and serious award selection process can we expect that these awards will continue to convey an important message and be an enduring legacy to the BBS program.

Service - Winners will be faculty, students or staff who have shown commitment to the excellence of the BBS program through participation in BBS committees, serving as TAs or TFs, or organizing innovations in the BBS program. People will have worked to ensure/improve the quality of student life, curriculum or program services. People who have contributed to the community outside of BBS are also eligible to receive this award..

Brina Sheeman Shackelford Teaching Award - Winners will be faculty or students who have made a significant contribution to the education of BBS students through teaching classes, seminars, or other educational activities or serving as teaching assistants for classes. Winners will have shown concern for students, inspired students to think creatively, sparked students interest in particular fields, and given generously of their time in an effort to enhance student learning.

Mentoring - A student-advisor relationship based on mutual respect and trust is extremely important to the student's graduate career and future career. The winners will have shown concern for the student's well-being, helped and guided the student on a timely course to graduation, provided positive feedback and constructive criticism on the student's work and general strengths and weaknesses, imparted to the students their experience in not only experimental science but other aspects of science such as collaboration and publication, and provided guidance and support to help students achieve the goals of their chosen career path. The candidate can be involved in any kind of mentoring relationship - it doesn't have to be a student/thesis-advisor relationship.

Please note that awardees in previous years are still eligible for further awards, even within the same category.

Nominations may only be submitted by current BBS students or BBS students who have graduated within the past year. All nominations received before the nomination deadline will be considered.