Staff Awards and Honors

Neal R. Gamsky Quality of Student Life Award

The Neal R. Gamsky Endowment Fund was established in 1986. Dr. Gamsky, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs at Illinois State University from 1973 to 1991 had a longtime interest in students and a determined goal to motivate students to achieve their highest possible level of personal, social, and academic excellence. His devotion to enhancing the quality of life for students motivated others to be equally concerned. In order to encourage professional staff to make significant personal contributions to the students at Illinois State University, Dr. Gamsky was prompted to establish this endowment. The endowment creates an opportunity to grant an award to a staff member in the Division of Student Affairs who has made outstanding contributions to the quality of life for students, and who promotes excellence in individual effort and concern for the quality of the campus environment through service and support.

The recipient of this award receives a recognition plaque, monetary award, and his or her name permanently displayed on a plaque in the Student Service Building.

2008-2009 Neal R. Gamsky Quality of Student Life Award Recipient: Susan Dudolski, University Housing Services

Previous Neal R. Gamsky Quality of Student Life Award Recipients

Download Nomination Form - UPDATE! Nomination forms due Friday, November 6, 2009!

STAR Awards

The STAR Awards recognize “ Staff That Are Remarkable” within the Division of Student Affairs. Each year in April, the Division gathers to recognize staff members that have made significant contributions to their departments, the Division, and the University during the year. Nominations are sought early in the semester and the selection committee carefully evaluates the nominations in determining award recipients. There are two ways to win a STAR award! Nominations are accepted for each of the categories. An individual may also self-submit a proposal for the following categories: Promotion of Diversity, Innovation by a Team, and Outstanding New Program.

2009 STAR Award Recipients:

Outstanding Graduate Assistant: Brooke Hunter, Student Counseling Services
Promotion of Diversity: "On Common Grounds...from introspection to action," coordinated by Danielle Miller-Schuster, Emily James, Arlene Hosea, Angela Davenport, Erin Pearce, Susan Dudolski, Rick Lewis, and Dave Bentlin
Outstanding New Staff Member: Harriett Steinbach, Dean of Students Office - Leadership and Service
Outstanding New Program: "Be Comfortable in Your Genes," coordinated by Jenni Thome, Nicole Cox, Brooke Hunter, Courtney Potter, Kerianne Johnstin, Jason Early, and Shenay Bridges
Innovation by a Team: Student Health Services Clinical Information System Implementation Team, coordinated by Glenn Weiss MD, Sue Feltner RN, Jim Kellogg, Laura Knoblauch, Kevin McCrone, Renee McDonald, Elizabeth Moore PA, and Jean Swearingen MD
Outstanding Civil Service Staff Member: Patricia Heck, Career Center
Outstanding A/P Staff Member: Gail Trimpe-Morrow, Student Counseling Services
Outstanding Mentor: CeCe Brookins, University Housing Services

Previous STAR Award Recipients

Neal R. Gamsky & Douglas H. Lamb Outstanding Research and/or Programming Initiative Award

This award is presented annually to a professional staff member in Student Counseling Services who has made outstanding contributions to the life of students and the promotion of excellence in counseling activities through research and/or evaluative programming activities.

2007 Neal R. Gamsky & Douglas H. Lamb Outstanding Research and/or Programming Initiative Award: Nicole Cox

Previous Neal R. Gamsky & Douglas H. Lamb Outstanding Research and/or Programming Initiative Award Recipients

Dean of Students Office Awards

At the end of each academic year, the Dean of Students Office hosts a series of awards ceremonies to recognize outstanding contributions in student involvement by students, registered student organizations, and Illinois State faculty/staff. Several Dean of Students Office programs and a graduate assistant received specific recognition at the following award ceremonies: