Purpose

To recognize exemplary performance by staff members who consistently excel in their positions and demonstrate integrity and a strong commitment to the mission and values of Luther College. A secondary purpose is to enable members of the staff to more fully experience the educational mission the college provides its students.

Eligibility

Nominees must be employed 75 percent time or greater and have been a Luther employee for a minimum of five years.

Criteria

The following criteria will be considered in the review of nominations:

• Outstanding Achievement and Performance: consistently and substantially exceeds the expectations of the position; performing at a level above and beyond normal job requirements; has made important and significant contributions in their area; has furthered the mission of the college.
• Personal Interaction: consistently and substantially demonstrates an ability and willingness to work positively, respectfully, and effectively with others; has significantly improved customer service or has increased student satisfaction in their area; demonstrates ability and willingness to manage changes in work priorities, procedures, and organization.
• Initiative and Creativity: has significantly improved a work process or system, or has significantly increased the efficiency of an operation or department; consistently seeks to improve the quality of work assigned; demonstrates efforts to expand work responsibilities.

The Award

Two staff members will be selected each year, normally one exempt and one non-exempt employee. The recipients will be announced at the December staff meeting. The last day for 2021 nominations is Friday, Friday, October 22, 2021.

Recipients will be awarded a Luther-affiliated educational opportunity that the college will fund to a maximum of $4,000 for educational experiences. Staff members wishing to participate in a program that costs more than $4,000 will be required to pay the additional costs. The staff members' participation will be counted as work time. Participation in a J-term abroad, a spring break service trip, a summer course off campus, accompanying a Luther ensemble on tour, participating in a unique professional development opportunity, or taking a semester-long course on campus during work time are all options to be explored. The college will work with each recipient to determine what works best and is of most interest to the employee. Or,

The recipients may choose to receive a one-time payment of $1,000 that will be processed through payroll. All applicable payroll taxes will be deducted and must indicate to Human Resources their choice of the two options within 3 months of receiving the award.

The Nomination Process

Nominations should address the criteria listed above and be submitted through the online Nomination Form. Any current member of the staff or faculty may submit a nomination. No self-nominations will be accepted and all nominations will be confidential. The Director of Human Resources will forward forward all nominations to the President's Cabinet for their selection. Please remember that the staff member being nominated must have been employed at the college for at least five years and have an FTE of at least .75.

Nomination Form

(revised 8.25.2021)