November 1, 2007

Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce the call for nominations for the University’s Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award.  The Graduate School, with assistance from the President’s Office, sponsors this annual award in order to recognize outstanding mentoring of graduate students by faculty. The relationship between a graduate student and a faculty advisor is one that can have a profound, lifelong influence on both parties.  At its best, this mentoring relationship inspires and gives confidence to the student while providing the faculty member with a valued colleague.  The Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award allows us to honor those members of the faculty who exemplify excellence in graduate education. A single award will be given, accompanied by a stipend of $5,000.  The award will be presented at the Annual University Recognition Ceremony on June 12, 2008 in conjunction with other University-wide awards. Information on the Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award, including criteria used in evaluating the nominees, can be found at:

http://www.grad.washington.edu/mentor/

The Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award Committee invites faculty, graduate students and alumni to submit letters of nomination via e-mail.* Eligibility for the award is limited to active members of the Graduate Faculty who are involved in the supervision of graduate students.  Nominators are encouraged to cite specific examples of excellent mentoring by the faculty member.  Letters of nomination may not exceed two pages in length.  The letter should include the nominee's department and current mailing address.

Nomination letters should be submitted as Microsoft Word attachments via e-mail to: dgma@u.washington.edu.  For those who cannot send nominations via e-mail, hard copies may be sent to:        

The Marsha L. Landolt Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award Committee
Graduate School, G-1 Communications Building, Box 353770, Seattle, WA  98195-3770
Or by Fax at: 206-685-3234

**Deadline:  Nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. PST on Friday, January 4, 2008**

Letters, faxes, or e-mail received after the deadline date and time will not be considered.   Hard copy nominations will not be acknowledged unless the nominator includes a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Sincerely,

Suzanne T. Ortega
Vice Provost and Dean

*Email submission of nomination letters is strongly encouraged and preferred.