Awards

James Gibson Exceptional Service Frank Cloud Excellence Diversity (Individual) Diversity (Institutional) Bob Cooke Distinguished Service

SWACUHO Leadership Pin Outstanding Graduate Student Gene Ward Outstanding Student Leader New Professional of Distinction James C. Grimm National Housing Training     Institute (NHTI) Scholarship Tom Pennett Vendor Award

James L. "Jim" Gibson Exceptional Service Award

This award was created by the Recognition Committee in 1974 to recognize individuals who have contributed outstanding service and dedication to SWACUHO, past and present. The Selection Committee for this award is composed of the past president and the three state directors. No more than two awards may be presented annually.

The initial recipient of this award was James L. "Jim" Gibson, Director of Housing at the University of Arkansas. His contributions to SWACUHO began in 1969 with an appointment to the Arkansas State Director's position. Upon completion of his term, he served as vice president and then president of the Association. Gibson served as co-chair of the Conference Host Committee in 1969 and as a member of the Evaluation, Development, and Information Committee in 1975-1976. He was also a winner of the Excellence Award for Staff Training and Selection in 1974. He remained active in SWACUHO until his death in February 1981.

Recognizing the importance of his leadership and contributions to SWACUHO, the Recognition and Awards Committee recommended in 1982 that the Exceptional Service Award be named to honor the memory of Jim Gibson. The recommendation was accepted unanimously by the Executive Committee.

To receive this award, a SWACUHO member must serve in a manner that is truly exceptional. Since its creation, only eleven members have been honored with this award. In addition to Gibson, the following awards were presented:

Blackburn, Ward, Gurd, and Penett were charter members of SWACUHO, but all of these persons were instrumental in the development of the Association's direction and goals.

2008 Frank Cloud Award of Excellence

Download the nomination instructions:
Adobe PDF(1 page, 14.4 KB)

Each year SWACUHO presents the Frank Cloud Award of Excellence to member institutions demonstrating excellence in a designated area of student housing operations. A different area or function is selected each year for this award.

Past winners:

2008 SWACUHO Diversity Award
Individual Award

Download the nomination form and instructions:
Adobe PDF(1 page, 23.3 KB)

This award presented in the form of a plaque to the selected individual began in 1995. Nominations will be evaluated based on an individual's contribution to their institution and/or SWACUHO in the area of cultural diversity, quality of programs and/or achievements of the individual that have facilitated the growth and betterment of the individual's institutional or regional environment.

Past winners:

2008 SWACUHO Diversity Award
Institutional Award

Download the nomination form and instructions:
Adobe PDF(1 page, 24.5 KB)

This award was started in 1995. The award is in the form of a plaque presented at the annual conference. The nominated institution's contribution to their institution and/or SWACUHO in the area of cultural diversity, quality of diversity programs, timeliness of the program and the issue, recognition of program by other groups (i.e.: NRHH, RHA, SWACURH, etc), and the effectiveness of the program in addressing and moving forward issues of diversity will be the basis in judging nominees.

Past winners:

2008 Bob Cooke Distinguished Service Award

Download the nomination instructions:
Adobe PDF(1 page, 17.1 KB)

The award was designed to recognize service, dedication and significant contributions to student housing at a specific college or university. All staff levels (custodial, clerical, professional) should be considered, and any SWACUHO member or school may submit a nomination. This award may be given to more than one nominee in any one year, but only one nomination per school will be considered.

This is an excellent opportunity to recognize a member of your staff who has served student housing and your school in an outstanding manner. This award is designed to not only recognize outstanding service within your staff, but also to spotlight student housing on your own campus. Real service must come from the heart and generally felt by all whom it touches. It is the heart found at all levels in your staff that we desire to recognize.

Nominations will be judged for their involvement in and contributions to student housing. Nominations should include how the nominee sincerely and consistently does their job with high level of performance above and beyond what is required; demonstrates loyalty and dedication to the residence halls and maintains an outstanding attitude toward job assignments and fellow employees; exhibits a positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile to assist a student; and has served a minimum of four years at the nominating college or university.

Completeness of the portfolio (i.e.: letters, pictures, awards, etc) will also be used in the judging criteria. Be sure to include a resume and a good quality photograph.

All materials will be on display at the annual conference.

Past winners include:

SWACUHO Leadership Pin

In February 2003, the SWACUHO Executive Board supported the proposal to create the SWACUHO Leadership Pin. The purpose of the pin was to recognize individuals who have served the association as a member of the organization's Leadership Team. Individuals who comprise the Leadership Team include those who have served as a committee chairperson or executive board member that year, as well as any past presidents in attendance at the annual SWACUHO conference. A comprehensive list will be maintained indicating the year each recipient was presented with his or her SWACUHO Leadership Pin.

In the years to come, when you attend the annual SWACUHO conference and notice a member proudly wearing a SWACUHO Pin, please remember two things: (1) this individual earned this honor through his or her involvement in the leadership of this region, and (2) the success of our organization hinges on this willingness of member volunteers to assume these leadership roles. You too can earn one of these pins!!

Provided below is the listing of all recipients receiving the SWACUHO Leadership Pin since its beginning in 2003. Each year, we will add new names and reflect the year each individual was awarded his or her pin. This comprehensive list will serve as a reminder of those who have supported, motivated, and lead our wonderful SWACUHO region!

2008 SWACUHO Outstanding Graduate Student Award

Download the application and instructions:
Adobe PDF(1 page, 24.2 KB)

These four awards (two for Texas and one each for Arkansas and Oklahoma) will be in the form of a check reimbursing conference registration fees at the annual conference and a plaque.

The nominee must be a currently enrolled graduate student, living in a residence hall, be attending an institution that is a SWACUHO member, and have contributed significantly to residence hall living and to the university community on his/her campus.

Preference will be given to students who are working or plan to work in the student service area, especially with university housing.

Applicants will need to submit the nomination form with a letter of application, a current resume, and a letter of endorsement from their Chief Housing Officer.

The recipients chosen will be asked to submit a written account of the conference by April 1 to be included in the April edition of the SWACUHO News.

Past winners include:

2008 SWACUHO Gene Ward Outstanding Student Leader Award

Download the nomination form and instructions:
Adobe PDF(2 pages, 33.6 KB)

These four awards (two from Texas and one each from Arkansas and Oklahoma) will be in the form of a plaque which will be presented to the student at his/her institution, assuming the student is not in attendance at SWACUHO. These students will be recognized at the annual SWACUHO Conference.

The nominee must be currently enrolled full-time in undergraduate studies, currently living in a residence hall, be attending an institution that is a SWACUHO member, and have contributed significantly to residence hall living and to the university community on his/her campus.

Applicants must submit Part I and Part II of the Outstanding Student Leader Nomination form.

Past winners include:

2008 SWACUHO New Professional of Distinction Award

Download the nomination form and instructions:
Adobe PDF(1 pages, 32.6 KB)

This new award was designed to recognize the outstanding work and impact of a new housing professional. Energetic, innovative, having a positive attitude and providing motivation are some of the descriptors of someone eligible for the new professional of distinction award. This individual has created programs and initiatives that have had a positive impact on their housing program and their students. In addition, this new professional has enhanced their skills through training, educational opportunities and from learning on the job. This person also exhibits traits and characteristics that foreshadow a successful career in housing. As the supervisor, advisor, and mentor of students and student groups, the new professional of distinction will have gone above the call of duty to be of service to students.

This award is an excellent opportunity to recognize the new professional of distinction at your college or university. A maximum of two awards will be given in any one year, but only one nomination per school will be considered. This award will be presented in the form of a plaque to the selected individual(s) at the SWACUHO Annual Conference each year.

Past winners include:

SWACUHO James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute Scholarship

The SWACUHO Region will be sponsoring an individual or individuals to attend the National Housing Training Institute (NHTI). The amount of $600 will be split among however many NHTI participants who are selected from the SWACUHO region to attend NHTI.

In order to be eligible to receive the SWACUHO NHTI scholarship and be accepted to NHTI, please note the following important information:

• Award deadline is February 24, 2006 and applicats will be notified of their status by March 20, 2006.
• Applicants should be aware that strong priority will be given to those who have submitted applications by the January 13, 2006 priority deadline.
• NHTI is strongly committed to fostering and encouraging diversity throughout all aspects of the Institute. The application and selection process is designed to address how a candidate's background, experience and motivation will benefit the individual applicant as well as the NHTI class as a whole.
• The institute fee of $600 will include lodging and meals. Scholarships are available and information regarding them will be sent to individuals who have been fully accepted to NHTI.
• To request an application or more information, please call 301.226.NHTI(6484) or email NHTI@accmail.umd.edu or visit www.resnet.umd.edu/NHTI

The recipient(s) of the SWACUHO scholarship will be asked to both present a program at SWACUHO regarding information they acquired and write a newsletter article for the Fall SWACUHO newsletter about their experience at NHTI.

Past winners include:

Tom Penett Vendor Award

This award was established in 1998 to show appreciation for outstanding vendors associated with SWACUHO. The award is named in honor of Tom Penett, who was one of the founding members of SWACUHO and who chaired the Exhibits and Displays Committee for many years. (Note: This award is not given out each year).

Past winners include: