Lifetime Achievement Award

The purpose of this award is to provide an annual recognition for an individual employee who exemplifies outstanding performance and accomplishment and is considered a role model for others in addition to meeting the following criteria:

• the nominee demonstrates exceptional and inspirational leadership.
• the nominee has made remarkable achievements which have had a broader impact and contributed to McMaster’s reputation
• the nominee had demonstrated commitment to service within the local, national or international community.
• the nominee consistently demonstrates outstanding dedication in furthering McMaster’s reputation and advancing the mission of the University.
• the nominee has been active and collaborative member of the McMaster community.
• the nominee has championed at least one initiative which has made a significant and lasting impact on or within the University

A maximum of one (1) lifetime achievement award will be granted to a recipient in the amount of $2,500.  The recipient will also receive a trophy and will have their name added to a permanent Roll of Honour maintained by the University. The award may or may not be awarded in any given year

The awards are open to full-time or part-time staff from operations, research and ancillary departments or units of McMaster University who have demonstrated a minimum commitment of 15 years of service to the University. The University President and Vice-Presidents are not eligible for consideration.

Individual Award

The purpose of this award is to provide an annual recognition for an individual employees who have made an outstanding contribution throughout the year beyond that normally expected for their position to the mission of the University through:

• the provision of exceptional service to staff, faculty, students, alumni, donors or visitors;
• the identification of measures which contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of University operations; and
• direct or indirect contribution to the community or the University which impacts the reputation of McMaster.

A maximum of eight (8) individual awards in the amount of $1,500 each will be awarded to recipients of this award.  Recipients will also receive a trophy engraved with their name and will have their name added to the President’s Awards Roll of Honour.

The awards are open to all full-time or part-time staff from operations, research and ancillary departments or units of McMaster University who are employed on a continuing basis or for a term or contract of one or more year’s duration. Employees at TMG Band O or higher are not eligible for the awards.

Team Award

The purpose of this award is to provide an annual recognition for a group of employees who have made an outstanding contribution throughout the year beyond that normally expected for their positions to the mission of the University through:

• the provision of exceptional service to staff, faculty, students, alumni, donors or visitors;
• the identification of measures which contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of University operations; and
• a direct or indirect contribution to the community or the University which impacts the reputation of McMaster.

A maximum of two (2) team awards will be available each year. The monetary value of the award will be $2,500, to be shared equally among the group.  In addition, each team member will receive a trophy, engraved with the name of their group.  The team name will also be added to the President’s Awards Roll of Honour.

Although departments should be acknowledged and rewarded for their collaborative work toward meeting their goals, the intent of this program is to recognize the most contributing individual, group or team. We encourage leaders to find alternate avenues for recognizing and rewarding their department for good work.

All members of nominated teams will be celebrated as a group for their contribution to a project on behalf of McMaster University. It is anticipated that at least seventy-five percent of team members will meet the Individual Awards criteria. Confirmation of team members is the responsibility of the nominator and must be completed at the time of the nomination submission.

Early Achievement Award 

A maximum of one (1) Early Achievement (previously known as Rising Star) Award may be granted to an individual who was not selected as an Individual Award recipient. This award was created to recognize an employee with less than 5 years of employment at McMaster University and has achieved excellent service beyond that expected for their experience in the position they hold.  The award praises their tenacity and motivation to grow, develop, and lead in their role. Recommendations for this special recognition are provided by the Advisory Committee and are awarded at the sole discretion of the President.  The award may or may not be granted in any given year.  There is no cash value attached to this award.  Recipients of this award will receive a plaque engraved with their name, and their name will be added to the President’s Awards Roll of Honour.

Special Achievement Award

The Special Achievement Award was created to recognize a maximum of one (1) individual or team who was not selected as an Award recipient, but whose exemplary contribution to McMaster merits recognition.

Recommendations for this special recognition are provided by the Advisory Committee and are awarded at the sole discretion of the President. The award may or may not be granted in any given year.  There is no cash value attached to this award.  Each individual or group member will receive a plaque engraved with their name or team, and their individual or team name will be added to the President’s Awards Roll of Honour.