President’s Awards

Each November, the President of the College issues a call for nominations for two annual honors—the President’s Medal and the Joseph L. Holt Award for Distinguished Service—that recognize meritorious service to Washington College and/or Chestertown and the greater Kent County community.

 

The deadline for nominations is the first Friday in December. The award recipients will be honored at the College’s George Washington’s Birthday Convocation the following February.

The President’s Medal recognizes the accomplishments of an individual or an organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of Washington College and/or the region.

The Joseph L. Holt Award for Distinguished Service recognizes exceptional performance, leadership, and service by faculty and staff of Washington College.

Nominations will be reviewed and evaluated by the President’s Awards Advisory Committee.

Nomination Rules & Criteria

Individuals may be nominated in either or both award categories. Nominees will be considered for an award only in the category for which they have been nominated. Individuals serving on the Awards

Members of the Advisory Committee are not eligible for nomination. Nominations in both categories are due by the first Friday in December. Nominations should include a cover sheet with the following information: (1) the name of the nominee; (2) the award for which the individual or organization is being nominated; and (3) the name of the nominator.

The President’s Medal

The recipient of the President’s Medal will be an individual or organization with an exemplary record of sustained and acknowledged contribution to the quality of life in Chestertown, Kent County, and/or at Washington College. The candidate’s career or organization’s work should be distinguished by a dedication to the fulfillment of the ideals represented in the Washington College Mission Statement and by service to their fellow human beings. Particular emphasis will be placed on contributions that have had a wide-ranging positive influence on Chestertown and the Washington College community.

Eligibility: Any individual or organization may be nominated for the President’s Medal. A nominee should have at least five years of demonstrated service.

Nomination Materials: A letter of nomination should be submitted, clearly indicating why the individual or organization should be so honored and how the individual or organization exemplifies the criteria for this award. A résumé, curriculum vitae, or brief background sketch of the nominee should accompany the nomination letter. At least two, but no more than three, seconding letters of nomination may accompany the nomination or may be sent under separate cover. In subsequent years, nominations submitted in the past two years will automatically be reconsidered; however, updated information is encouraged.

The Joseph L. Holt Award for Distinguished Service

The Joseph L. Holt Award for Distinguished Service (previously the President’s Distinguished Service Award) recognizes exceptional performance, leadership, and service by an employee of Washington College. The recipient of this award will have a record of exemplary performance and distinctive contributions to the operation of an administrative, academic, research, or service unit on campus. He or she will have clearly demonstrated initiative toward the improvement of the College’s programs or campus activities and will have shown commitment to the campus community as a whole.

Eligibility: Any member of the faculty or staff who has been employed by Washington College for at least five years (in any of one or more capacities) may be nominated for a Distinguished Service Award. No more than five awards will be given annually. The awards will be distributed equitably between salaried and hourly employees.

Nomination Materials: A letter of nomination should be submitted, clearly indicating why this individual should be so honored and how the individual exemplifies the criteria for this award. A résumé, curriculum vitae, or brief biographical sketch of the nominee should accompany the nomination letter. At least two, but no more than three, seconding letters of nomination may accompany the nomination or may be sent under separate cover. In subsequent years, nominations submitted in the past two years will automatically be reconsidered; however, updated information is encouraged.

Deadline for Nominations: The deadline for the receipt of nominations and supporting materials for both the President’s Medal and the Distinguished Service Award is the first Friday in December. Nominations or supporting materials received after that date will not be considered.

Nominations should be sent to President’s Awards Advisory Committee, c/o President’s Office, Washington College, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620.