Senior Recognition Awards
Kathleen Claussen, 2006 Wells Award recipient, is congratulated by Charlene Brown, director of extracurricular programs, Hutton Honors College and associate director, Wells Scholars Program.
The Herman B Wells Senior Recognition Award and the Elvis J. Stahr Distinguished Senior Awards are the most prestigious honors given to undergraduates for dedicated co-curricular service to the Bloomington campus. Each year faculty and staff nominate seniors who carry impressive academic records, coupled with significant leadership involvement among student groups, university departments, and community organizations. Each award gives faculty and staff the opportunity to recognize the outstanding achievements of our students who have made a commitment to leadership and civic engagement. Recipients are often referred to as “the leaders of tomorrow,” but also serve our campus as the leaders of today. Those students who have truly given of themselves, to the benefit of the university community and beyond, should be considered for nomination.
Call for Nominations
Herman B Wells Senior Recognition Award
Elvis J. Stahr Distinguished Senior Awards
Selection Committee
Previous Recipients
Faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate candidates for these distinguished awards. Each nominated student will be considered for both awards. Please include the following information for each candidate in your nomination:
- Candidate's full name
- Major(s) and minor(s)
- Highlights of the candidate's curricular and co-curricular accomplishments
Eligible candidates must be seniors during the spring semester of 2008 and have strong academic records. (A senior graduating in December should be nominated the year prior to graduation.) The Wells and Stahr award recipients will each be selected by a special selection committee chaired by the Bloomington Provost.
Candidates will be informed of their nomination and encouraged to gather the requisite materials to be considered for both awards.
Please submit nominations by Friday, December 7, 2007, to:
Senior Recognition Awards Committee
c/o Corbin Smyth
Indiana Memorial Union, Room 278
Bloomington, IN 47405
or via fax: 855-8697
Please call 855-6065 or email csmyth@indiana.edu for additional information.
Herman B Wells Senior Recognition Award
Throughout his 79-year tenure with Indiana University as a student, faculty member, university president, and university chancellor, Herman B Wells consistently distinguished himself as a leader of uncommon vision and generosity. His leadership and spirit were foundations during turbulent times not only for the university but for the nation. Whether desegregating the IU cafeteria, being a delegate to the 12th General Assembly of the United Nations, or playing Santa Claus in the Indiana Memorial Union, Herman B Wells dedicated his life to serving others in every conceivable way. His advocacy for excellence in all fields has significantly contributed to making Indiana University the world-renowned educational and research institution that it is today.
Created in 1961 by the Indiana Memorial Union Board of Directors, the Herman B Wells Senior Recognition Award honors and encourages academic excellence and the efforts of a student who has established himself or herself as a leader within the IU community. Wells' spirit is a rich treasure embedded deep in the foundations of this university. Recipients of this award exemplify that spirit.
A plaque will be given to the recipient to commemorate this honor, and his or her name will be placed on a permanently displayed plaque in the Indiana Memorial Union. Eligible students will be seniors and will have an outstanding academic record, along with a strong commitment to leadership and service on campus. The award will be announced at the annual Founders Day ceremony.
Elvis J. Stahr Distinguished Senior Award
Established in 1966 by Dr. Stahr, Indiana University's 12th president, this award honors seniors who have excelled academically while serving as active student leaders. Three to five seniors are selected who have distinguished themselves as outstanding student leaders. The recipients are honored based upon achievement and excellence in academic growth and leadership and contribution to the campus community.
In an open letter to award recipients, Dr. Stahr wrote, "You have already distinguished yourselves and honored your Alma Mater, and I encourage you to continue to aim high in both your personal and your professional lives. I am confident that your futures hold ever-increasing opportunity, challenge, distinction, and reward."
A plaque will be given to the recipients to commemorate this honor, and their names will be placed on a permanently displayed plaque in the Indiana Memorial Union. Eligible students will be seniors and will have an outstanding commitment to leadership and service on campus, along with a strong academic record.
The Senior Recognition Award recipients are to be selected by a special selection committee made up as follows:
- Provost of the Bloomington campus (chair)
- Vice President for Student Affairs, Bloomington, and Dean of Students
- Executive Director, Indiana Memorial Union and IU Auditorium
- Academic dean appointed annually by the provost
- Faculty member appointed annually by the provost
- Junior representative from Union Board
- Junior at-large appointed by the dean of students
- Vice President of University Relations, Student Alumni Association
- Director of Student Programs, IU Alumni Association
- Assistant Director for Activities and Events, Indiana Memorial Union