It is time to submit nominations for the Department’s Outstanding Undergraduate/Graduate Student Awards and also the 2020 Spring Smilodon Awards.
2020 Spring Smilodon Awards:
The Smilodon Outstanding Underclassman in Integrative Biology (freshman or sophomore) and the Smilodon Outstanding Upperclassman (junior or senior) awards are administered twice annually during the Fall and Spring semesters. Recipients each receive a prize of $250 administered by CLAS that may be used to defray expenses related to enrollment at CU Denver.
Smilodon Nominations, are solicited from all teaching Faculty, Staff and Grad Students. Nominations are submitted electronically to Jacki Craig, by MARCH 20th, who will compile them for the Awards, Scholarship and Outreach (ASO) Committee members, for selection of the recipients by consensus. A strong nomination consisting of 250 words, clearly specifies why the student should be considered; this may include a variety of indicators, such as motivation, perseverance, enthusiasm, depth and breadth of interest in biology, academic performance, outreach, and extenuating circumstances.
Although preference will be given to awarding an underclassman and an upperclassman in a semester, the ultimate goal of the Committee is to administer two awards each semester. As such, it is possible that two upperclassmen will receive Smilodons in any given semester if there are no meritorious underclassmen nominated.
Department Outstanding Undergraduate/Graduate Awards:
In addition to the Smilodon Scholarships, Integrative Biology recognizes students in the following categories once annually during the Spring Semester:
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant in Integrative Biology (UG or Grad)
- Outstanding Graduate Defense
- Outstanding Graduate Student
- Outstanding Undergraduate Research in Integrative Biology
- Outstanding Service in Integrative Biology (recognize citizenship, service, community contribution)
Outstanding Student Awards Nominations:
Like the Smilodon nominations, the Outstanding Student Awards nominations are solicited from all teaching Faculty, Staff and Grad Students . Nominations are submitted electronically to Jacki Craig, by MARCH 20th, who will compile them for the ASO Committee members, for selection of the recipients by consensus. A strong nomination consisting of 250 words, clearly specifies why the student should be considered; this may include a variety of indicators, such as motivation, perseverance, enthusiasm, depth and breadth of interest in biology, academic performance, and outreach.
All awardees will be notified of their award via email after the vote on April 6th, and they will receive a letter and certificate from the Chairs of the Department and ASO Committee at a reception in their honor on May 8th. Additionally, their names will be engraved on brass plates and mounted on a plaque located on the fourth floor atrium.
