CEE department head Professor Markus Buehler sent an email yesterday to the community requesting nominations for the department’s annual awards, including several new awards for undergraduate leadership and community, best doctoral thesis, postdoctoral scholars, and staff excellence. The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 2.

“As we work together to build an environment committed to excellence, and cultivate our strengths while seeking new, innovative opportunities, we would like to recognize the people in CEE whose dedication and commitment is critical to our success, and who stand out as positive examples,” Buehler said in his email to the department’s students, faculty and staff.

All members of the CEE community are welcome to submit nominations for any of the awards. Nominations and questions should be submitted to the awards committee. The awards will be presented at an informal ceremony at 5 p.m., May 12, in Room 1-131, followed by a reception.

CEE Leadership and Community Award [NEW]: This award recognizes an undergraduate student, at any level, who has made exemplary contributions to improve the CEE community, fostered excellence, diversity, and contributed to our culture of inclusiveness.

The Leo (Class of 1924) and Mary Grossman Award: In honor of Mr. Grossman who had a professional career in highway design and planning. The Grossman Award is given to an undergraduate student with a strong interest in transportation and a strong academic record. Please include the rationale for your nomination.

The Paul L. Busch (1958) Prize: Awarded to an undergraduate student in Environmental Science and Engineering for academic achievement and contributions to the CEE community.

The Tucker-Voss Award: This award was established in memory of Professor Ross F. Tucker and Professor Walter C. Voss, who were the first two heads of the Department of Building Construction, Course 17. In the 1950s Course 17 merged with the Department of Civil Engineering and the first Tucker-Voss Award was presented. This award is given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who shows particular promise in the field of building.

The Trond Kaalstad (Class of 1957) Fellowship: This award recognizes an outstanding graduate student who has displayed leadership and/or contributed significantly to the well-being of the CEE community.

Maseeh Annual Award for Excellence as a Teaching Assistant: This award recognizes the most outstanding teaching assistant in the past academic year. In your nomination package, include the subject taught, semester taught, and provide a brief description of the qualities of the nominee that led to your choice. Include your name and year, if applicable. (This award is made possible by Fariborz Maseeh Sc.D. ’90.)

CEE Best Doctoral Thesis Award [NEW]: This award honors scholarly and academic excellence and a high level of distinction of a CEE graduate student, in any area of research. The nominee should have graduated or is anticipated to graduate with a doctoral degree within the current academic year. In your nomination package, provide a brief description of the nominee’s scholarly contributions, intellectual merit and impact, as well as potential for future contributions. Include the title and abstract of the student’s thesis, the date of defense, and the name of the faculty advisor(s). Describe any other considerations you wish to include, and/or include additional letters of support.

CEE Postdoctoral Scholar Mentoring, Teaching and Excellence Award [NEW]: This award recognizes mentoring, teaching and other exceptional contributions by a Postdoctoral Associate or Postdoctoral Fellow, emphasizing high potential for future contributions. In your nomination package, include a cover letter that outlines the case, curriculum vitae, and any supporting materials such as additional testimonials (optional). The cover letter should explain the nature of the case for the nominee, highlight his/her contributions, and argue for his/her merit and significance. This award is intended primarily for exceptional contributions to mentoring and teaching, broadly defined, but there is flexibility to recognize other aspects.

Maseeh Excellence in Teaching Award: This award recognizes the most outstanding faculty instructor in the past academic year. In your nomination package, include the subject taught, semester taught, and provide a brief description of the qualities of your nominee that led you to your choice.  Include your name and year, if applicable. (This award is made possible by Fariborz Maseeh Sc.D. ’90.)

CEE Excellence Award [NEW]: This award recognizes a member of the CEE staff for excellent contributions to our community, commitment to professionalism, dedication and best practices, as well as fostering a culture of diversity, inclusiveness, and innovation. This award is anticipated to acknowledge the work of support, administrative and service staff (not intended to recognize research or teaching).