awards
PUCESA presents eight awards each year, primarily to its members. Descriptions of each award, nomination requirements, deadlines, and application instructions appear below. All 2023 applications are due by Friday, October 27 by 5pm ET.
Please email all nomination materials as a SINGLE pdf to the Awards Committee Chair, Renee Wiatt, reneewiatt@purdue.edu. Title the pdf submission packet with the name of the award followed by the name of the person being nominated (E.g., Ann Hancook_Wiatt). If a group is nominated, follow with the title of the group behind the name of the award (E.g., Team Award_Master Cattleman).
The Spirit of Extension Award
The Spirit of Extension Award is given to an individual, organization, or business not employed at Purdue for outstanding service or contributions to specialists’ programs, services or practices. The aim is to recognize outstanding contributions of time, expertise, and/or support for PUCESA and its members. Primary criteria for the award include one or more of the following: (1) demonstrated support for a specific PUCESA project; (2) significant contribution through a PUCESA collaboration or partnership; or (3) continuous support for PUCESA mission and goals.
Ann Hancook Award
The Ann Hancook Award is co-sponsored by IEEA, PUCESA, and the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi. The award recognizes cooperation between Extension Educators and Specialists in programs that focus on families.
Download applicationEarly-Career Award
The Early-Career Award recognizes an Extension Specialist with less than 10 years of service. Recipients must demonstrate Extension leadership; excellence in delivering public education programs; innovative approaches to program development and delivery; outreach efforts to county Extension Educators; research that benefits Extension clientele through practical application; or through demonstrated collaboration with county Educators, agencies, or community leaders.
Mid-Career Award
The Mid-Career Award recognizes an Extension specialist with 11-20 years of service. Recipients must demonstrate Extension leadership; excellence in delivering public education programs; innovative approaches to program development; outreach efforts to county Extension Educators; research that benefits Extension clientele through practical application; or demonstrated collaboration with county Educators, agencies, or community leaders.
Career Award
The Career Award recognizes an Extension Specialist with more than 20 years of service. Recipients must demonstrate Extension leadership; excellence in delivering public education programs; innovative approaches to program development and delivery; outreach efforts to county Extension Educators; research that benefits Extension clientele through practical application; or through demonstrated collaboration with county Educators, agencies, or community leaders.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award recognizes an individual’s leadership and contribution to a specific and highly effective Extension program. Note: Special Award nominees do not need to be PUCESA members.
Team Award
The Team Award recognizes innovative Extension Programming by a team of Specialists and their allied partners. Note: Team Award nominees do not need to be PUCESA members.
Download application
Student in Extension Award
The Student in Extension Award is given to a graduate student that has made outstanding contributions to the Cooperative Extension Service and shows exceptional promise in this role. The award recipient receives a cash award of $250.