Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will be the first institution in the UW System to honor a woman of the year when they recognize the first honoree at the fall 2004 convocation. Nominations for the UWP woman of the year are due this month.

Any female member of the UWP community may be nominated by any UWP employee, student or affiliate for the woman of the year award, sponsored by the University Women's Council. The purpose of the award is to "recognize female employees and students who have an outstanding record of making a difference to the lives of women by supporting the well being and interests of females."

University Women's Council co-chair Patricia Foster said there is the need for continued focus on the conditions of women throughout the state. When the lieutenant governor examined health services, pay rates and other conditions for women throughout Wisconsin, the state scored a C minus, Foster said.

"The award really is to acknowledge a woman that has made significant contributions to an issue that deals with women," Foster said. "When you affect women, you're not just affecting women, you're affecting all of Wisconsin."

This is the first year that UWP, the only institution in the UW System where women students are the minority, will offer the woman of the year award, Foster said. The award recipient will receive a plaque, and a display in the Patricia A. Doyle Women's Center will honor awardees. Foster said fellow women's council co-chair Carmen Faymonville was the impetus behind the award.

Nominees for the woman of the year award must provide documentation that they meet one or more of the following criteria: active support of women through administrative, personal, scholarly or communal efforts; demonstrated leadership regarding women's issues at UWP; success in making a difference in any area of life that leads to the empowerment of females; distinguished service at UWP supporting the well-being and interests of females; and exceptional assistance to UWP women.

Nominations are due March 30, and may be submitted to Foster, 151 Doudna Hall. Supporting materials, due April 16, must include a cover letter by the nominee up to three pages long describing how she matches the award criteria and two letters of recommendation from any member of the UWP community. An appendix with additional supporting material of no more than five pages long may also be included.

Nomination forms are available through the provost's office, the alumni office, the college deans' offices, faculty senate, academic staff senate and student senate.