Nominations are open for the annual CALS Awards! This is your opportunity to honor your outstanding colleagues for exceptional work. This year we have one nomination form for all awards. You can find nomination requirements and details on each award on the CALS Awards website. The nomination deadline is Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 and the 2024 CALS Awards Ceremony will take place on Tuesday, May 7.

The people make CALS excellent. Together, students, faculty and staff carry out the mission to advance and share knowledge, discover solutions and promote opportunities in food and agriculture, bioenergy, health, the environment and human well-being with their diverse skills, knowledge, creativity and passions. CALS recognizes and is grateful for the commitment and hard work of all of our community members.

Recognition instills a sense of pride and purpose in people, and helps employees feel valued. It affects employees, and in turn the organization–fostering connection between employees and the organization. According to a 2023 Gallup report, organizations who invest in employee recognition initiatives are likely to see a 9% improvement in productivity and 22% decrease in absenteeism. It’s important to take time to celebrate when work is done, projects are completed and milestones are reached. 

The CALS annual awards are an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the people who have led the efforts and contributed to the accomplishments of our college. Award nominations are an opportunity to pause and reflect on the work that has been done over the last year. In the reflection, we remember the hard work endured, time invested and outcomes achieved. Please consider submitting an award nomination to celebrate a CALS community member.

If you have questions, please contact Kara Luedtke.