group of faculty at commencement

The President’s Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award, presented annually, acknowledges exceptional service by a University of Vermont faculty member who is recognized as a true university citizen for contributions to institutional building at the university. The award recipient receives a taxable cash award of $1,000. Names are displayed on a plaque on the third floor of the Waterman Building.

The AY 2022-2023 award recipient is:


• Senior Lecturer Catherine (Cathy) Paris, Ph.D., Department of Plant Biology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Catherine Paris has been intensively involved in curricular reform at UVM. She served as the Faculty Senate President and on the Executive Council for over a decade. She was chair of the Curricular Affairs Committee of the Faculty Senate from 2010–2016, leading the committee during the Transdisciplinary Research Initiative and Incentive-Based Budgeting. She has also been a key player in bringing General Education to UVM; as one review committee member noted, “She has been central to the transformations in the curriculum toward a true general education curriculum for the university.” Paris has also been extensively involved in service to the Plant Biology Department. She is recognized widely for her effective leadership style. Her service has been sustained over decades and has substantially impacted UVM.

Eligibility/Critera

Nominees for the President’s Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award must be faculty members (lecturer or clinical faculty, full-time tenure or tenure-track faculty, research faculty, library faculty, or extension faculty) who have worked at the University of Vermont for at least five years. Faculty members serving in administrative roles are eligible for the award.

Nominees for the President’s Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award must have demonstrated sustained and exceptional leadership and service to the University of Vermont. This includes, but is not limited to, service at the department, college or school, or University-wide level, service on committees, governance groups, and advising student organizations or committees. The nature of the service must go beyond that expected of faculty for promotion and advancement at the University and should extend over multiple years. Evidence of transformative leadership and accomplishment as an institutional citizen must be demonstrated. Broadly defined, the service of the nominee must have “made a significant difference” at the University of Vermont. Service to the faculty member’s profession or to the external community is not a criteria for the award. Service awards will not be given to the same person more than once in a ten-year period.

Award Evaluation Rubric (pdf)

Nomination Process

Faculty, staff and students may nominate faculty members for the President’s Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award. Faculty members may self-nominate. Nominations are due by February 1st every year.

The Nominator should submit the following:

  • Letter explaining the qualifications of the nominee and a description of the nominees’ exceptional service and accomplishments;
  • Letter of support from the person to whom the nominee reports, demonstrating their support;
  • Three additional letters of support from UVM faculty colleagues addressing the nominee’s qualifications; and
  • At least one letter of support from outside the faculty member’s home college, school or unit.

Nominees will be notified of their nomination and asked to provide the following:

  • Nominee’s current curriculum vitae; and
  • Nominee’s detailed statement of service.
  • Nominees may provide documents demonstrating their services as well as records of any citations or accommodations received for their service.

Nomination material should be submitted with the "President’s Distinguished University Citizenship and Service Award Nomination" as the file name no later than 11:59 PM on February 1st.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION HERE

Award Committee

The Committee is made up of faculty members representing degree granting colleges or schools and the University Libraries, and former award recipients. The Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs appoints the Chair of the Committee and its members. The Committee recommends candidates for the award to the President. The President makes the final decision regarding award recipients.

Award Review Committee 2023-2026

Review Committee Chair: Professor Dianna (Annie) Murray-Close, Department of Psychological Science, College of Arts and Science, and a recipient of the 2018 George V. Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award and the AY2018-2019 Kroepsch-Maurice Excellence in Teaching Award.

Review Committee Members:

  1. Karen Benway, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences; AY2021-2022 PD Senior Lecturer Award recipient
  2. Kelly Hamshaw, Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Development & Applied Economics, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences; AY2020-2021 PD Senior Lecturer Award recipient
  3. Laura May-Collado, Assistant Professor, Department of Biology, College of Arts & Sciences; AY2019-2020 PD Lecturer Award recipient
  4. Walter Poleman, Senior Lecturer, Natural Resources Program, Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources; AY2017-2018 PD Senior Lecturer Award recipient
  5. Thomas Chittenden, Senior Lecturer, Grossman School of Business; AY2016-2017 PD Lecturer Award recipient
  6. Jacqueline Weinstock, Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Human Development & Family Science, College of Education & Social Services; Named Award: 2001 Jackie Weinstock Service Award, LGBTQA Services; a recipient of the (2002, 2005) Faculty Leadership Award, LGBTQA Services of the Diversity and Equity Unit at UVM; and 2005 Pride Center (Then R.U.1.2? Queer Community Center) Volunteer of the Year Award

Selection Timeline

  •     December 1, annually:  Call for nominations opens.
  •     February 1, annually:  Nominations due.
  •     February 1 - March 30: Nominations reviewed by Awards Committee
  •     April 1: Awards Committee submits list of finalists to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Jokech@uvm.edu. Copy submissions to Jennifer Diaz (she/her) at Jennifer.Diaz@uvm.edu.
  •     May 1: The President announces award recipient.

For more information
Contact Jennifer Diaz (she/her) at Jennifer.Diaz@uvm.edu

Prior Award Recipients