Laura Plunk, lecturer of education, received the Skyhawk Spirit Award for the month of October.
Plunk was nominated for the Skyhawk Spirit Award through her support for students.
“One of the most meaningful examples of your dedication is the welcoming environment you have created in your office,” said the letter notifying her of the award. “By keeping snacks and essential resources readily available, you recognize the importance of meeting students’ basic needs while providing a safe and inclusive space where they feel heard, supported and encouraged.
“Your ability to recognize when someone needs extra care, whether academically or personally, and your willingness to offer a listening ear or thoughtful guidance demonstrate your commitment to helping students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.”
For winning a Skyhawk Spirit Award for the month of October, Plunk received a $50 cash award and a commemorative plaque.
The Skyhawk Spirit Award seeks to recognize employee contributions that exceed expectations for performance. All regular full- and part-time faculty and staff up to the level of director are eligible to receive Spirit Awards. Independent contractors, temporary employees, volunteers and executive-level staff who report directly to the chancellor and serve as a member of the chancellor’s cabinet are not eligible for the Skyhawk Spirit Award.
The Innovation Spirit Award seeks to recognize employees who achieve beyond the status quo who implement an idea, initiative, process or system that improves efficiencies or outcomes.
Employees may be nominated by any employee for the Skyhawk Spirit Award, but nominations for the Innovation Spirit Award must be initiated by employees with the job title of supervisor, manager or director and should only be given for significant employee contributions.
Those receiving Skyhawk Spirit Awards earn a $50 cash award and a commemorative plaque. Those receiving Innovative Spirit Awards earn a $250 cash prize and a commemorative plaque.
To nominate someone for these awards, send a brief nomination statement about the contribution or action made by the nominated employee to skyhawkspiritawards@utm.edu. The cutoff for nominations for a certain month is the end of the day on the first Friday of that month. Nominations sent after that date will be considered for the awards for the next month.
