*DISCONTINUED IN 2014*
Purpose
To honor a student who has demonstrated leadership, or civic engagement in the areas of civil rights, and civil liberties. This award is a public recognition of the recipient’s unique contributions to the areas to which the sponsor, Matthew Stark, has dedicated himself professionally and personally as a former director of the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union. Mr. Stark is dedicated to providing the benefits of our democratic society to all of its citizens, regardless of their religious, ethnic, cultural, sexual, racial, financial, and intellectual backgrounds or political beliefs.
Nomination Deadline
Nominations are due in the CEHD dean’s office, 104 Burton Hall, no later than Friday, February 15, 2013 by 4:00 p.m. One complete set of materials, with original signatures, must be received by the deadline, in order to be considered eligible.
Award
The recipient will receive a $1000 award and a certificate presented at the CEHD Spring Assembly and Recognition event on April 22, 2013. Up to one award may be presented each year to an eligible nominee.
Eligibility
Student nominees should be full-time undergraduate, graduate or professional students enrolled in a program or major of the College of Education and Human Development. An individual may not receive this award more than once; however, previous nominees who have not received the award may be re-nominated.
Criteria
Successful student nominees should have:
- shown a unique and demonstrable contribution to the advancement of civil rights and the protection of civil liberties. This might include, but is not limited to ensuring that citizens are fully able to participate in society; advocacy against discrimination of an individual or group based on physical or mental disability, gender, religion, race, national origin, age, sexual orientation or gender identity; or direct service to individuals or groups. Activities can include research, teaching, service or community engagement. Civil liberties include all rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States, e.g. speech, privacy, fair trial, voting, etc.
- measurable means of the contribution or change, i.e. publications regarding the contribution, peer recommendations, involvement in organizations or activities as evidence of leadership, etc.
Nomination Documentation
Individuals who are not specialists in the nominee’s field will read the nomination materials. Successful nominations document how the experiences of the nominee meet the criteria of the award. It is strongly suggested that the letters specifically address the criteria in the order they are listed. Please send in one complete set of originals via campus mail to Bridget Grotins, 104 Burton Hall, Campus Code 3171. The following documentation in 12 point font and with one-inch margins is required:
- A nomination letter of no more than two pages advocating for and interpreting the case for why this individual has demonstrated the award criteria and addressing the nominator’s relationship with the nominee. Nominees may not nominate themselves.
- Nominee’s abbreviated professional vita or resume made pertinent to the award criteria. Vita or resume should be a maximum of three pages (Vita or resume will not be reviewed if it is more than three pages).
- No more than a total of three letters from students, faculty, staff, alumni, or community organizations which demonstrate how the nominee meets the criteria for the award (make certain the relationship between letter writer and nominee is clear). Each letter should be no more than two pages.
- An optional supplemental document of no more than three pages, that directly supports the nominee’s nomination.
- A CEHD nomination form.
This form will insure that all nominees and nominators are contacted in the most efficient manner.
Selection Process
Nominations will be reviewed by the CEHD Honors and Awards work group which will make a recommendation to the dean, who will make the final decision regarding the recipient of this award.