Philosophy and Goals

The Mel Jackson Leadership Awards were established to honor Mel Jackson who was a great friend, outdoorsman, outstanding teacher and an extraordinary human being.

Eligibility and Criteria

Mel Jackson Leadership Awards were established to aid the two following groups of undergraduate students in Physical Education and Recreation:

• Student participants in PE & REC Programs (e.g. certificate programs, practicum experiences, volunteer service, etc.) who have demonstrated outstanding leadership ability for a period of three or more terms.
  • Nominations of students participating in PE & REC Programs are to be made by the PE & REC faculty member who is best qualified to assess the qualifications of the nominee.
• PE & REC student employees who have exhibited outstanding leadership in the performance of their duties for a period of three or more terms.
  • Nominations of students who are PE & REC student employees are to be made by the supervisor who is best qualified to assess the qualifications of the nominee.

Nominees are to be judged on demonstration of the following qualities:

• Leadership (e.g. leads by example, demonstrated skill, motivation of participants and peers, risk assessment and control, etc.)
• Positive attitude
• Reliability
• Commitment (e.g. efforts "above and beyond the call of duty" on behalf of PE & REC programs or participants)

When nominating a candidate provide examples of how each of these qualities is exemplified in the nominee.

Nomination Process

A Selection Committee consisting of the following individuals will review the applications and determine the recipients of the scholarship awards.

• Current Director of PE & REC
• One representative from Outdoor Pursuits
• Three additional PE & REC faculty/staff representatives to be appointed by Director of PE & REC (to include one or two retired staff when possible).

Each year the Director of PE & REC, with advice from the committee, will determine the dollar amount and number of awards to be given. The number of awards per year may vary from 0 to 3.

The first of February each year the Director of PE & REC will call for nominations. Nominations will be due by the end of February. Specific dates will be determined each year. The committee will review and select award recipients by the first week in March. Mel Jackson Leaderships Awards will be given during the first or second week of Spring Team each year.

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