Morgridge Center Awards

The Morgridge Center for Public Service launched awards for students and community organizations in 2007.  These awards have been created to recognize the long history of engagement by students and community organizations to advance the Wisconsin Idea and make a difference in the community.

Excellence in Civic Engagement Student Award

The Morgridge Center for Public Service Excellence in Civic Engagement Student Award is designed to recognize a student who has made community and civic engagement integral to his/her college experience.  This award honors student involvement in the community that promotes strong reciprocal partnerships with community agencies and makes a significant impact.

Eligibility
All students who have engaged in their community through either volunteerism, service-learning, or community based research are eligible for this award.

Nomination Criteria:
Fellow students, faculty and/or academic staff, or non-profit organization representatives may nominate student members for the award.  Self-nominations are accepted as well.  Candidates will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. Devoted considerable amount of time and effort to service, either co-curricular or curricular, which includes but is not limited to direct service, indirect service, and advocacy. 

2. Demonstrated significant contribution and partnership with a community organization or entity to meet an identified need, practical problem, issue or concern.

3. Illustrated an understanding of civic and social issues connected to their service.

4. Inspired, involved, and/or assisted others to serve or be engaged in volunteerism, service-learning, advocacy, or other civic pursuits.
   

Selection
The Morgridge Center Awards Committee will review submissions using the criteria listed above and select one recipient of the award.  The Excellence in Civic Engagement Student Award recipient will receive a $500 stipend, plaque and will be honored during the spring semester.  Members of the committee are not eligible to receive an award.  

To be considered for the Excellence in Civic Engagement Student Award, the nominator must complete an online nomination form including the following information:

• Nominee contact Information
• Nominator contact information
• Brief description of civic engagement activities, and
• Four brief narrative sections describing how the nominee specifically addresses the nomination criteria.
  

The Morgridge Center is not currently accepting applications at this time.

Outstanding Community Partner Award

This award was founded to recognize and honor the vital role and commitment of our community partners in this collaboration.  This award is given annually to an outstanding community partner who has demonstrated excellence in partnering with a university entity to provide opportunities for students to engage in and learn from the community.

Eligibility:
Any non-profit agency or community entity who have partnered with the Morgridge Center for Public Service or other University of Wisconsin-Madison units for projects related to volunteerism, service-learning, or civic engagement. 

Nomination Criteria:
Any University of Wisconsin-Madison faculty, student, or staff may nominate a community partner for this award. Candidates will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. Providing opportunities for students to engage in meaningful service to and with the community;
2. Facilitates student learning in a community-based curricular or co-curricular context or provided venues for faculty to advance their community-based scholarship;
3. Demonstrates collaborative and reciprocal university partnerships to address community needs and educational objectives;
4. Empowers students to make a real difference in the community;
5. Serving as a co-educator for students.

Selection
The Morgridge Center Awards Committee will review submissions using the criteria listed above and recommend one recipient of the award.  The Outstanding Community Partner Award non-profit agency recipient will receive a $1000 award and plaque during the spring semester.  Members of the committee are not eligible to receive an award.  

To be considered for the Outstanding Community Partner Award, the nominator must complete an online nomination form including the following information:

• Nominee contact Information
• Nominator contact information
• Brief description of civic engagement activities, and
• Four brief narrative sections describing how the nominee specifically addresses the nomination criteria listed above.

The Morgridge Center is not currently accepting applications at this time.

Questions? Please contact whisner@wisc.edu or 608-262-8446.