Nominations Open for Annual Faculty, Staff Frist Awards Recognizing Service to Students

OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is seeking nominations of faculty and staff who deserve special recognition for rendering outstanding service to students.

Students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends have until April 8 to submit nominations for the 16th annual Thomas Frist Student Service Awards.

The awards recognize one faculty member and one staff member for going the extra mile in unwavering dedication to students.

Any full-time faculty or staff member, except previous winners, is eligible for the award, which includes a $1,000 prize and a plaque.

Written, signed and submitted by individuals, the nomination narratives should differentiate between obligation and service by citing specific examples in which the person being nominated has gone beyond the call of duty to help a student or group of students.

“Many faculty and staff on our campus fit the criteria for the Frist Award, which helps us identify two individuals who are exemplary of going beyond the norm in extending a helping hand to our students,” Chancellor Dan Jones said.

Nomination forms are available at key campus locations, including the Chancellor’s Office, Dean of Students office and J.D. Williams Library. They also are available on UM’s satellite campuses. Letters of nomination also will be accepted. The mailing address is Office of the Chancellor, Frist Award, 123 Lyceum Circle, University, MS 38677. In addition, nomination forms are available at http://www.olemiss.edu/news/frist_award. Past letters of nominations are also considered.

All nominees are notified that they have been so honored, and a campus committee appointed by the chancellor chooses the two winners. Awards are to be presented May 8 at UM’s spring commencement ceremony.

Past winners of the Frist Award include faculty members Aileen Ajootian, Don Cole, John Juergens, Pamela Lawhead, Ellen Meacham, Terry Panhorst, William Staton, Ken Sufka, Patricia Treloar, John Winkle and David Willson; and staff members the late Billy Barrios, Sue Hodge, Michael Johansson, Barbara Leeton, Max Miller, Ginger Patterson, Melinda Pullen, Thomas J. Reardon, Marc Showalter and Linda Spargo.

The Frist Student Service Awards were established with a $50,000 gift from the late Dr. Thomas F. Frist of Nashville, a 1930 UM graduate.