History

The Thomas Jefferson Award, presented each year at the commencement ceremony, provides the Emory University community the opportunity to honor a member of the faculty or staff for significant service through personal activities, influence and leadership. As specified by the original donor, the Robert Earl McConnell Foundation, the personal and professional qualities of the recipient should resemble those Thomas Jefferson considered essential to the intellectual, social and political advancement of society.

Selection Criteria

The recipient has traditionally been selected for service performed at the University over many years. The award recognizes personal and professional integrity as well as distinguished service in several of the following areas: (1) teaching, (2) research and scholarship, (3) non-academic accomplishments with students, (4) university advancement and development in relation to the entire university, or an area, school or division, (5) community or educational service on the local, state, national or international level.

Nomination Process

A letter is sent to the entire University inviting nominations. Any University employee may make a nomination by sending to the selection committee an original letter of nomination and the nominee's CV or resume. The deadline for 2008-2009 nominations is 5PM on February 24, 2009.

The selection committee comprised of the previous five award recipients and chaired by the most recent honoree, reviews all nominations. The recipient is presented the award at the University Commencement ceremony.

Nominations are retained in active status for one year. The Office of the Provost coordinates the award process.

Previous recipients of the Thomas Jefferson Award include:

2009	W. Ronald Schuchard	2008	Rosemary Magee
2007	Melissa Maxcy Wade	2006	Frank Alexander
2005	Richard Levinson	2004	Thomas Burns
2003	Eleanor Main	2002	Irwin Hyatt
2001	Marshall Duke	2000	Jackie Irvine
1999	Harvey E. Klehr	1998	Robert L. DeHaan
1997	Billy E. Frye	1996	John R. Boring III
1995	George W. Brumley	1994	Jonas A. Shulman
1993	Donna J. Brogan	1992	Delores P. Aldridge
1991	Eugene J. Gangarosa	1990	William H. Murdy
1989	William Mallard	1988	James A. Bain
1987	--	1986	J. Russell Major
1985	John M. Palms	1984	Herbert R. Karp
1983	John H. Stone	1982	Dora H. Skypek
1981	Jack S. Boozer	1980	Marcella Walker
1979	Alfred E. Wilhelmi	1978	Robert H. Rohrer
1977	Charles T. Lester	1976	Arthur P. Richardson
1975	Judson C. Ward Jr.	1974	R.A. Day Jr.
1973	William H. Agnor	1972	Robert B. Platt
1971	George P. Cuttino	1970	Gregor Sebba
1968	Floyd C. Watkins	1967	William H. Jones
1966	Evangeline T. Papageorge	1965	E.H. Rece
1964	Edwin T. Martin	1963	William A. Strozier
1962	Woolford B. Baker	--	--

For more information, contact Alicia Franck, Associate Vice Provost at afranck@emory.edu