2025 Staff Awards

History — The Lawrence C. McBride Prize was established by private donors in 2002 to recognize exempt staff for exemplary service to the University of Idaho. This prize, the first of its kind, complements but does not replace the Outstanding Staff Awards.

Eligibility — The Lawrence C. McBride Prize is available to full-time University of Idaho staff. Nominees may be employees who either lead or perform high-level administrative support functions to departments, colleges or administrative units. Employees in executive leadership positions are not eligible, which currently includes administrators on the Deans Council, Provost Council or President’s Cabinet, except for administrative support positions for the President and Provost and Executive Vice President. Nominees must demonstrate evidence of upward progression within the university staff community and must have been employed at University of Idaho for a minimum of ten (10) years.

Award & Presentation — Awards will be presented at the University of Idaho Excellence Awards, which will occur near the end of the spring semester. Dates will be communicated broadly via the Excellence Awards webpage, U of I events calendar, the Daily Register and via Email invitation to all of campus.

Criteria — Nominees for this prize should emulate as closely as possible the example that was set by retired staff member Larry McBride during his nearly 20 years of distinguished service to the university. The prize recognizes service far beyond that expected from the job description; in fact accomplishing one’s job well does not appear on the list of criteria. Selection criteria include the following descriptors: exemplary imagination, creative, can-do attitude, loyal, dedicated, supportive, enthusiastic, highest performance standards for him/herself and others, dependable and friendly.

The selection committee must receive an online submission that includes ALL of the following:

• Online nomination form.
• One nominating letter (two pages maximum length attached to the online nomination form) from any university administrator, faculty, or staff member who knows the nominee and who can speak to his/her service to the institution. This letter must provide a broad-brush description detailing the nominee’s accomplishments. 
• Two supporting letters (two pages maximum length attached to the online nomination form) from other administrators, faculty, staff, students or colleagues. The supporting letters must focus on two or three specific examples of the nominee’s exemplary service.
• Professional resume of the nominee (one page in length)—should be provided by nominee to nominator.

Note: All nomination materials received by the selection committee are confidential.

The Dr. Arthur Maxwell Taylor Staff Excellence in Diversity Award was established in 2014 to be given to a University of Idaho staff member for excellence in diversity. The goals of the award are to recognize demonstration of or promotion of a continuous commitment to diversity and inclusion on campus through tangible actions; sponsored or coordinated programs on campus that have cultivated diversity and inclusion; or has exceptional work in the area of diversity and inclusion that has encouraged dialogue, promoted reflection, built community or inspired action. This staff recognition honors exceptional performance in at least one of three areas:

• Demonstrated and promoted a continuous commitment to diversity and inclusion on campus through tangible actions;
• Sponsored or coordinated programs on campus that have cultivated diversity and inclusion;
• Exceptional work in the area of diversity and inclusion that has encouraged dialogue; promoted reflection, built community or inspired action.

The award consists of an honorarium of $4,000. See the previous award winners.

Nomination Guidelines:

Self-nominations and nominations from students and employees are welcome.

Nomination packets should include:

• A letter of nomination, including how the nominee fulfills the goals of the Dr. Arthur Maxwell Taylor Excellence in Diversity Award.
• Two additional letters of support from others who can speak to the nominee’s contributions.
• A copy of the nominee’s current resume.

Submit the completed nomination packet via the form at the top of the page.

History — Outstanding Staff Awards have been in existence at the University of Idaho since 1972. They began as an outgrowth of the longevity awards which are given annually to U of I staff who have been employed for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 etc. in 5 year increments. The Outstanding Staff Awards are designed to honor a non-faculty staff member who is believed to be outstanding by their co-workers and/or supervisors. The goal of the awards effort is to encourage more support and recognition of the staff for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the University of Idaho.

Eligibility — All non-faculty staff members on board appointment who have not received the award during the previous three years are eligible. Members of the Outstanding Staff Awards Subcommittee are not eligible.

The awards are given in the following six categories:

• Senior Leadership
• Non-Faculty Exempt
• Technical/Paraprofessional
• Service/Maintenance
• Skilled Trades
• Administrative Assistants

Award & Presentation — Awards will be presented at the University of Idaho Excellence Awards, which will occur near the end of the spring semester. Dates will be communicated broadly via the Excellence Awards webpage, U of I events calendar, the Daily Register and via Email invitation to all of campus.

Selection — Selection of Outstanding Staff will be made solely on the information provided on the nomination forms or, from nomination letters that address every criterion listed below. Selection will be made by a subcommittee of Staff Council members and past recipients of the award.

Criteria — Each nomination submission must address these four categories:

• Quality of Service
• Exceptional Effort
• Initiative
• Interpersonal Relationships

When considering someone for nomination, you should be familiar with their job description through contact with the nominee and their supervisor. Your submission should address those things that show an exceptional/extraordinary commitment, work ethic or job performance that makes this person truly outstanding.

History — The Outstanding Team Award was established in 2005 to honor exceptional teamwork performed by University of Idaho staff members on one-time or unique non-routine projects. In spring 2005, the Department of Geological Sciences hosted the Goldschmidt Conference on the University of Idaho Campus. It is from this conference that the endowment was established to complement but not replace the Outstanding Employee Awards sponsored by Staff Council.

Eligibility

• The Outstanding Team Award is available to University of Idaho staff members who have participated on a team comprised of no less than three and no more than fifteen members. Recipients should be board-appointed staff, but exceptions may be made to include temporary help employees or students if they comprise a minority of the team.
• Only teams deserving recognition for exceptional, non-routine service will be honored with this award. In some years, it is possible that no team will be selected, or even nominated.
• Team members must have played a positive and critical role in the work of the team; demonstrated creativity, collegiality, commitment to excellence of the final outcome; and worked above and beyond normal job responsibilities.

Award & Presentation — Awards will be presented at the University of Idaho Excellence Awards, which will occur near the end of the spring semester. Dates will be communicated broadly via the Excellence Awards webpage, U of I events calendar, the Daily Register and via Email invitation to all of campus.

History — Staff Council invites nominations for the Staff Education Awards for the 2024-25 school year. These awards are given for the academic year, and a student may receive this award a maximum of two times. Recipients will be randomly selected without regard to class level or financial need. Approximately four $500 ($250/semester) scholarships will be awarded.

Eligibility — To be eligible for this award the nominee must meet all of the following:

• Be a child, stepchild, grandchild or legal dependent of a current U of I board appointed staff member* (not faculty) or honored staff retiree. Spouses of staff are not eligible.
• Have been admitted to the University of Idaho for Fall 2025.
• Enrolled full-time in a minimum of 12 credits for undergraduate, 9 credits as a graduate student, 10 credits for law.
• May not have received this award in two previous years.

NOTE: The nominator must be the parent, stepparent, grandparent or legal guardian of the nominee and only one entry per nominee will be admissible.

Award & Presentation — Awards will be presented at the University of Idaho Excellence Awards, which will occur near the end of the spring semester. Dates will be communicated broadly via the Excellence Awards webpage, U of I events calendar, the Daily Register and via Email invitation to all of campus.

Contributions — Funds donated toward this award have been placed in an endowment fund where the accrued interest is available for awards. Your contributions are appreciated and help this fund to grow! Your contributions can be in the form of a payroll deduction or a one-time gift. Remember that in Idaho, there is a special income tax break for contributions to educational institutions. Make your checks payable to the U of I Foundation, Inc., and mail to University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 3143, Moscow, ID 83844-3143. Note on your check that it is for the Staff Education Award Endowment, designation code EE601.