Excellence in Service to STC Award

The Excellence in Service to STC Award (formerly the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Service) recognizes meritorious service to the Society for Technical Communication. This award acknowledges a lifetime of service to the Society that spans multiple accomplishments, levels, and long-lasting impacts. Honorees will demonstrate significant and sustained acts of service to STC and participation in initiatives that support the growth of technical communication with long-lasting benefits to the Society. Exemplary service is exhibited by demonstrated achievements in the following categories: leadership, education, mentorship, and scholarship.

Honoree will be notified of approval: After vote by STC Board of Directors, usually in the spring.

Awards Presented: At the Honors Reception at the STC Technical Communication Summit.

Nomination and Application Process

Consult the guidelines for complete details.

Eligibility

Nominees must be current members of the Society for Technical Communication with at least 15 consecutive years of membership prior to the nomination. Qualified STC members are eligible for this award regardless of other STC honors or awards received. Current members of the STC Board of Directors and the Excellence in Service to STC Award Committee are not eligible to be nominated for this award. The award typically will be given once per year to a single individual. An honoree may only receive this award once.

Nominees must have conducted a sustained lifetime of service that has made significant contributions to the Society AND made significant contributions to the Society through multiple activities, which have demonstrated positive, long-lasting benefits to the Society.The honoree should have contributed to the Society in each of the following areas:

  • Leadership. Served in multiple leadership roles at various Society levels (Chapter, SIG, Board, STC Committee). Created, developed, or implemented a significant sustained program or initiative for the Society.
  • Education. Participated in volunteer education activities, such as serving as a peer reviewer for the Technical Communication Journal, proposal reviewer for the STC Summit or a conference planned by an STC community, member of the STC Education Committee, or Chair or member of the STC Conference Committee.
  • Mentorship. Participated in an STC mentoring initiative or mentored STC members informally. Participated in volunteer activities that benefit new professionals and/or students.
  • Scholarship.  Delivered multiple presentations (webinars, Summit presentations); published articles in Intercom magazine, the Technical Communication Journal, or STC’s Notebook blog; or served as Guest Editor of Intercom, all of which benefit STC members.
  • Performed other significant and sustained STC volunteer activities.

Individuals can self-nominate or be nominated by a current STC member in good standing; however, nominees must accept the nomination and complete their own applications. Current members of the STC Board of Directors and current members of the Excellence in Service to STC Award Committee may not nominate individuals or be nominated for the award.

Nominations

The nominations period closed on September 30th for 2024-25 award.

Applications

The Committee Chair will notify each nominee to let them know their nomination has been received. If the nominee accepts, they will receive instructions for submitting their application packet. Application packets must include the following required information:

  • A cover letter
  • A completed application form
  • A full curriculum vitae/résumé
  • Two signed letters of recommendation

Application packets also may include the following supplemental materials:

  • Testimonials in the form of an email, letter, or other written evidence of the impact of the applicant’s service to the Society.
  • Supporting documents, such as a sample charter, business plan, proposal, or executive summary of a program or initiative the applicant created, developed, or managed.

Applications are due by 15 November.

Contact

Chair

  • Tim Esposito

Members

  • Alyssa Fox
  • Dr. Jackie Damrau
  • Timothy Shaw

Staff Liaison

  • Timothy Shaw

Awardees

Alyssa Fox

Citation:

For your excellent, sustained service to the Society as a Board member and community leader; supporter and innovator of STC education programs; mentor and coach to students and seasoned professionals; and frequent contributor to STC publications and events.

Alyssa Fox: 2024

Citation: For your excellent, sustained service to the Society as a Board member and community leader; supporter and innovator of STC education programs; mentor and coach to students and seasoned professionals; and frequent contributor to STC publications and events.


Dr. Jackie Damrau: 2023

Citation: For your long-term, significant, and consistent service; contributions to the Society in multiple areas, including communities, committees, and publications; and for supporting Society members and volunteers as a mentor and a facilitator.


Nicky Bleiel: 2022

Citation: For your dedicated lifetime service to STC in multiple leadership roles at both Society and broader knowledge-sharing levels, with an outstanding volume of presentations and publications, and as a longtime mentor to new professionals. Your service demonstrates exemplary agency, creativity, and diligence, and you continue to serve as a model for others to emulate.