Distinguished Friend of Science Awards

In 2006, the Board of Trustees established two SURA Distinguished Service Awards: the Distinguished Friend of Science Award* and the Distinguished Scientist Award*.  These are presented to individuals who have worked to support the SURA mission "to foster excellence in scientific research, to strengthen the scientific and technical capabilities of the Southeast and nation, and to provide outstanding training opportunities for the next generation of scientists and engineers." (Awards come with a $20,000 cash honorarium.)

    
In October 2009, SURA presented its Distinguished Friend of Science Award to Norman Augustine in Washington, D.C. (Press Release): [L to R] Hugh Montgomery (JLab Director); Jerry Draayer (SURA President & CEO); Charles Steger (VaTech President & SURA Executive Committee Chair); Augustine; and Jim Siedow (Duke University and SURA Board of Trustees Chair).

2010 SURA Distinguished Friend of Science Award Nominations

The Executive Committee will manage the SURA Distinguished Friend of Science Award program. It will solicit, screen and select the recipient of the award for presentation at the Board of Trustees meeting in Washington October 20-21, 2010. The following guidelines will govern the nomination process:

(1) Only Board of Trustees and Council of Presidents members are eligible to submit a nomination (limited to one nomination per SURA member institution.)

(2) All nomination materials must be submitted in electronic form, directed to the SURA Chief Communications Officer at award@sura.org, who will support the Committee's work.

(3) The deadline for nominations is Friday, May 7, 2010, 5 p.m. EDT.

(4) Nomination materials should include:

• A concise letter of nomination on the qualifications of the nominee from the trustee or president, which includes contact information for the nominee; and
• A comprehensive and up-to-date biographical sketch of the nominee.

Past SURA Distinguished Service Award Recipients:
NEWS Fall 2006: Senator Alexander Honored with "Friend of Science" Award
NEWS Spring 2007: UGA Biologist, Wessler, Named SURA Distinguished Scientist
NEWS Fall 2007: Senator Warner Awarded "Friend of Science" by SURA
NEWS Spring 2008: U of FL Microbiologist Named SURA Distinguished Scientist
NEWS Spring 2009: SURA Names U of TX Chemist "Distinguished Scientist"
NEWS Fall 2009: Augustine Honored with Friend of Science Award
NEWS Spring 2010: UT Austin Professor Named "Distinguished Scientist"

*  SURA Distinguished Friend of Science Award – (To be presented at the Fall 2010 Board of Trustees meeting, selected by the SURA Executive Committee)  Presented to an individual whose extraordinary efforts fulfill the SURA mission of strengthening “the scientific and technical capabilities of the Southeast and nation.”  This award is to be presented to an individual whose extraordinary efforts in the private sector, or in a federal, state or local governmental capacity serve, or have served, to fulfill the SURA mission. The award comes with a $20,000 honorarium, which can be designated to a higher education charitable cause.

*  SURA Distinguished Scientist Award – (To be presented at SURA Spring 2011 Board of Trustees meeting hosted at a SURA member institution campus.)  Presented to a research scientist from a SURA member institution whose extraordinary work fulfills the SURA mission of fostering “excellence in scientific research.”  (Preference will be given to a scientist who has performed his/her research at a SURA member institution.)  No person may be eligible for the Distinguished Scientist Award who is/or has been a Board of Trustees member within the past two years.  The award comes with a $20,000 cash honorarium.