Hallmark Awards
| Chapter Awards |
Individual Awards |
| Advisor Awards | Regional Awards | Creative Awards |
| Alumni Awards |
Chapter Awards
Entry Requirements:
1. In an essay of 1,250 words or less, describe your chapter's comprehensive programs relating to the particular Hallmark for which you are applying (Scholarship, Leadership, Service or Fellowship). The essay should be typed and double-spaced. The essay should consist of (1) a thesis paragraph giving an overview of the chapter's related programs, (2) several supporting paragraphs, and (3) a conclusion. The essay should explain: (A) the chapter's objectives, (B) the chapter's accomplishments, and (C) the chapter's growth in this Hallmark area. Up to 10 awards may be presented in each category.
2. Chronological lists of all chapter activities relative to the particular Hallmark (not a total list of chapter activities) should be prepared and attached. The list should contain the activity, the date of the activity and a brief description of the activity if necessary.
3. Supporting materials are optional and should be specific to the particular Hallmark category entered. Only the following support materials may be included:
- One letter of recommendation from your college president
- One letter of recommendation from a member of the college faculty
- One letter of recommendation from a member of the community
- One clipping from your college newspaper
- One clipping from your community newspaper
- One promotional piece (poster, brochure, flier)
- One 8 ½" x 11" page of mounted or scanned photos
The Scholarship Hallmark Awards
Award-winning chapters conduct activities implementing Phi Theta Kappa's Honors Study Topic, along with honors seminars, colloquies and innovative programs to recognize scholarship in students and faculty. This category may also include activities such as serving at-risk students and promoting scholarship in the community. Programs should reflect the current Honors Study Topic prominently; although, all activities in this area need not address it. Chapters may also choose to study issues unique to their campuses and communities.
The Leadership Hallmark Awards
Award-winning chapters have creative activities providing opportunities for development of leadership skills for members, officers, fellow students and members of the community. Activities should reflect leadership roles assumed by members within the Society, college and community. Critical consideration is also given to the level of leadership chapters assume in their Phi Theta Kappa regions. Participation in the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies Program may be a part of, but should not be the basis of this total comprehensive program.
The Service Hallmark Awards
Award-winning chapters have activities promoting the International Service Program, "Conquering Cancer: A Prevention and Awareness Program with the American Cancer Society," and service provided to the college and community. All of the activities need not relate to the International Service Program, as many chapters will need to meet needs unique to their own colleges and communities as they arise. However, the International Service Program should figure prominently into the overall comprehensive service program. Projects should focus more on service activity, rather than donations of money. Activities should stress to others the value and need of providing service.
The Fellowship Hallmark Awards
Award-winning chapters' activities reflect the promotion of chapter development to chapters needing assistance, communication between chapters, providing and participating in opportunities to gather chapters together for discussion of chapter programs, and activities which reflect the chapter as a leader in developing campus and regional unity. Programs in this area may also showcase the chapter as a participant in the community surrounding the college. Activities should reflect scholarly fellowship, not only social activities.
The Distinguished Chapter Awards
To be considered for a Distinguished Chapter Award, a chapter must submit entries for Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship Hallmark Awards. Selection of the Distinguished Chapters will be based solely on the written entries for these Hallmark Awards. The scores in each of the four Hallmark categories mentioned above will be averaged to determine a chapter's overall ranking. Individual award entries, such as Bierkoe, Giles, Distinguished Chapter President, etc., are not taken into account for the purposes of this award. Chapters should not submit separate specific entries for the Distinguished Chapter Awards, since only the stated materials will be considered in the selection process. As many as 25 chapters may be named Distinguished Chapters.
The Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Awards
This award was named for the Beta Alpha Chapter, Blinn College, Brenham, Texas. If a chapter is named a Distinguished Chapter three years consecutively, the chapter will be presented the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award. Again, these awards are obtained from averaging a chapter's scores in the four Hallmark areas. Chapters should not submit formal entries for this award. A chapter receiving the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award in 2003 is eligible to receive the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award in 2004 as well.
Individual Awards
The Distinguished Chapter President Awards
Distinguished Chapter Presidents are selected on the basis of the recipients' demonstration of leadership, involvement in chapter programs, friendship with fellow scholars, and enthusiasm for the Society's Hallmarks. The chapter nomination form lists qualifications of the chapter president in each of the categories of leadership, involvement, friendship and enthusiasm. Only stipulated supporting information should accompany the nomination entry. A student may receive this award only once. International Officers are not eligible for this award during their year of tenure. As many as 25 Distinguished Chapter Presidents may be named.
The Distinguished Chapter Officer Awards
Distinguished Chapter Officers are selected on the basis of the recipients' demonstration of leadership, involvement in chapter programs, friendship with fellow scholars, and enthusiasm for the Society's Hallmarks. The chapter nomination form lists qualifications of the chapter officer in each of the categories of leadership, involvement, friendship and enthusiasm. Only stipulated supporting information should accompany the nomination entry. International Officers are not eligible for this award during their year of tenure. Chapter presidents may not be nominated for this award. A student may receive this award only once. As many as 25 Distinguished Chapter Officers may be named.
The George O. Bierkoe Distinguished Member Awards
The Bierkoe Distinguished Members are selected on the basis of a student's embodiment of the Hallmarks of the Society, emphasizing participation in Society programs. Applications will list areas for the chapter to cite an individual's embodiment or promotion of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship. International Officers are not eligible for this award during the year of their tenure. Chapter presidents and other currently-serving chapter officers may not be nominated for this award. Team leaders or committee chairpersons may be nominated for this award, if their leadership position is by appointment not election. A student may receive this award only once. As many as 25 Bierkoe Distinguished Members may be named.
The Shirley B. Gordon Awards of Distinction
College presidents, other campus chief executive officers and state community college directors are selected for this award on the basis of outstanding efforts given toward promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa. Applications cite specific ways the president has demonstrated support for the chapter and the Society as a whole. The recipients must agree to attend the 2004 International Convention in Minneapolis. As many as 20 of these awards may be presented.
The Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Awards
Bennett Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to campus CEOs at two-year or senior institutions and state community college directors who have been supportive of Phi Theta Kappa and are retiring from their careers. Criteria will be the same as for the Awards of Distinction listed above, with the exception of the retirement requirement. Recipients are not required to attend the Convention in order to receive their awards. The Bennett Awards will not be presented during the Convention, but will be sent directly to the advisor of the nominating chapter for presentation during an appropriate occasion. An unlimited number of these awards may be given.
Advisor Awards
The Robert Giles Distinguished Advisors and Continued Excellence
Awards for Advisors
Giles Distinguished Advisors will be chosen from advisors and coordinators serving the Society for at least five years. From the nominations, as many as 30 advisors may be named Giles Distinguished Advisors. Advisors who have previously been named Giles Distinguished Advisors are eligible for the Continued Excellence Awards for Advisors.
The Paragon Awards for New Advisors
Paragon Awards will be presented to no more than 30 outstanding new advisors each year. The criteria will be the same as the Giles Distinguished Advisor criteria with the exception that advisors nominated for the Paragon Awards should be serving in their second to fourth year as chapter advisors. No alumni nomination letter is necessary for this award.
Regional Awards
Distinguished Regional Coordinator Awards
Distinguished Regional Coordinators are selected by the Society's executive staff.
Selection will be based on coordinators': (1) encouragement, fellowship and continuity provided to chapters within the region; (2) assistance provided in planning and implementing regional meetings; (3) facilitation of attendance at international meetings by chapters in their region; (4) orientation, motivation and direction provided to chapter advisors and regional officers.
Each recipient must have served the Society as a coordinator for a minimum of five years. As many as three recipients may be named each year. An individual is named a Distinguished Regional Coordinator only once.
The Distinguished Region Awards
The Distinguished Region Awards recognize achievements of regions in many areas of programming and organizational structure. Selection is based on the quality of regional programming, especially the leadership conference, regional convention, and regional honors institute. Consideration is also given to the overall strength of chapters in each region and the quantity and quality of chapter participation in the Five-Star Chapter Development Program. As many as three awards may be given in this category.
The Regional Milestone Awards
The Regional Milestone Awards will be offered in years when appropriate and may be given to as many as three regions. This award recognizes renewed enthusiasm among existing regions and superior achievements of newly organized regions. The award is based on quality of regional programming at leadership conferences, regional conventions and other supporting evidence.
The Distinguished Regional Officer Awards
Nominations for the Distinguished Regional Officers must come from Regional Coordinators. Nomination materials will be sent to all Regional Coordinators. As many as 10 regional officers may be named.
Creative Awards
The Freeman Science Award
The Freeman Science Award is presented to the chapter or individual submitting the most outstanding project relating the Honors Study Topic to the discipline of science. The report of the study must be submitted and accompanied by a summary of no more than 400 words, which explains the relevance of the project to the current Honors Study Topic.
Alumni Awards
Alumni Association Award of Merit
The Alumni Association Award of Merit recognizes an alumni association which has been exemplary in meeting the mission of Phi Theta Kappa's Alumni Association. Selection is based on an alumni annual report and a 500 word outline of the association's goals and objectives for the year and how these objectives were met. All annual reports and nomination outlines are due on or before March 2, 2004.
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