Tips for writing draft award citations

(Use this outline as applicable to each award)

IMPORTANT: Please print the awardee’s name as it should appear in the awards booklet. Draft citations should be approximately 250 words.

For examples of prior citations, please see the previous year’s Academic Recognition Ceremony booklet.

Citations will be printed in this year’s program booklet with edits for university style. Each citation must accurately reflect the individual's achievements and should also be:

• Distinctive: Highlight the honoree's unique qualities; perhaps include an interesting fact beyond their achievements.
• Creative: Use descriptive adjectives and avoid repetitive phrasing.
• Accessible: Ensure clarity for a general audience.

Citations could include some or all of the following:

• A paraphrased example from the material submitted adds interest and context to the citation, but avoid direct quotations or copying and pasting. Such examples should be specific rather than general.
• Describe the individual's expertise and contributions to the university or the wider community. Note the scope of their influence: discipline-specific, cross-discipline, state, national, international, or public/private sector.
• Detail their excellence across undergraduate, graduate, or both levels. Highlight contributions to diversity, textbook or curriculum development, mentorship, student outcomes, and funding support.
• Offer specific scholarship examples and contributions to the university mission, avoiding statistic lists or numbers unless they are extraordinary and citing pertinent examples instead.
• Simplify language (layperson's terms) and cite the broad impact of their work. Include only major grants, awards, and society memberships.
• Mention professional affiliations, outreach, and significant university service.

Finally, conclude with a summary sentence of the person's worthiness for the award.