University Awards for Excellence Nominations

Nominations for the 2026 Awards for Excellence awards are open. Benefits-eligible University and Staff from any campus are eligible for nomination. 

We invite you to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of your colleagues by submitting a nomination for one of the following awards:

The Award for Excellence (Individual)
Presented to four-to-nine benefits-eligible University or Classified Staff members, regardless of length of service, classification, or pay grade, for exceptional achievements and accomplishments in their roles.

The Billy Joe Varney Award for Excellence
Awarded to one benefits-eligible University or Classified Staff member with at least 15 cumulative years of service who has demonstrated a career or dedicated service to the university, its employees, and the community.

The Team Award for Excellence 
Recognizes teams composed of University and/or Classified Staff for outstanding contributions to their unit, department, or the university through a specific project or function.

The Center/Department/Institute Award for Excellence
Honors a single organizational unit for exceptional excellence in managing people and resources, creating a supportive, empowering, and impactful workplace. The selected unit will be awarded a commemorative plaque.

Submit a Nomination
All awards, except for the Center/Department/Institute Award for Excellence, include a university-funded monetary prize. All awards recognize achievements that go beyond standard job expectations. 

We encourage you to take this opportunity to acknowledge those who make significant differences at the University. Complete details and nomination forms are available on the Employee Recognition Committee website. Please contact Jennifer Lawrence with questions.

Nomination Deadline: 5 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026
Awards Ceremony: April 23, 2026 | 3-4:30 p.m.
Location: South Ballroom, Student Union Memorial Center