Each year, Intercom highlights all individual and community awards and honors in the Society Pages. The members, chapters, and SIGS listed on these pages are the best and brightest our Society has to offer. They are at the forefront of promotion our great profession, and we congratulate all of them on their success.
Please watch the STC website in the coming months for announcements on next year’s awards and honors and how you can nominate yourself or a deserving colleague in 2017.
Introducing the New STC Fellows and Associate Fellows
STC is pleased to announce that 14 distinguished members have been named Fellows and Associate Fellows of the Society. They will be recognized at the 2016 STC Summit in Anaheim, CA.
STC awards the rank of Associate Fellow to Senior Members who have attained distinction in the field of technical communication.
The rank of STC Fellow is conferred upon Associate Fellows who have attained such eminence in the field of technical communication that the Board deems them worthy of being singled out as one of the select few who have distinguished the Society and the profession.
Congratulations to all the honorees, listed below with the preliminary citation. And thank you to both the Fellows Committee (Chair Larry Kunz, Phylise Banner, John Hedtke, Brenda Huettner) and the Associate Fellows Committee (Chair Brian Lindgren, Lisa Cook, Bill Leavitt, Deanne Levander, Mike Markley, De Murr, Thea Teich, Carolyn Watt).
Fellows
Mollye Barrett
For thought leadership in content strategy and management, for advancing the profession by generously sharing her knowledge, and for long, dedicated service to the STC Wisconsin Chapter.
Pam Estes Brewer
For her extensive work with the Academic SIG, for her detailed scholarship, and for building bridges between academia and practitioners.
Russel Keith Hirst
For continuing devotion to his students and STC, for inspiring and mentoring students and colleagues for decades, and for his sustained, tireless dedication to the field.
Rachel Houghton
For tireless devotion to STC at many levels, for her willingness to share her knowledge and take on myriad responsibilities, and for relentlessly promoting and supporting our profession in both print and visual media.
Carolyn Kelley Klinger
For her boundless enthusiasm, her advocacy for STC as the voice of the profession, and her unwavering devotion to recruiting, training, and supporting STC volunteers.
Mike Murray
For mentoring, encouraging, and guiding technical communicators in Central Florida; for being instrumental to the success of the Accessibility SIG; and for dedicated leadership at the Society level.
Makarand Pandit
For skill and unflagging energy as he embodied the rise of technical communication in India; for guiding and inspiring a generation of technical communicators.
Marta A. Rauch
For enthusiastically bringing her vast knowledge of new technologies to our Society and to the profession, and for consistently encouraging others with kindness, wisdom, and joy.
Associate Fellows
Valerie M. Ball
For evoking in others the same passion she brings to the creation and delivery of all communication to maximize impact and comprehension of the intended audience.
Nicoletta A. Bleiel
For sustained and prolific contributions to the profession of technical communication and its practitioners through talks, articles, videos, blog posts, and web seminars, and for exemplary service as a Society leader.
Todd A. DeLuca
For inspirational and enthusiastic leadership within STC at the community and Society levels, for promoting the profession to future technical communicators, and for sharing his knowledge, including the value of volunteerism and community service.
Timothy Esposito
For dedicated leadership in the Philadelphia Metro Chapter, guidance to new technical communicators, and instruction to the Society leaders.
Kim E. Lindsey
For her insightful work in technical communication; for sustained creativity, enthusiasm, and innovation in promoting our profession; and for support the mission of STC and the Northeast Ohio Chapter.
Robert E. Perry
For demonstrated leadership and sharing of technical and professional knowledge, for inspiring many productive technical communication careers, and for significant contributions to the Society.
Community Achievement Awards
The Community Achievement Awards (CAAs) recognize STC chapters and special interest groups (SIGs) for exceptional accomplishments in meeting Society goals. The awards not only acknowledge that the obligations of a properly functioning community have been met, but that the winning communities have performed well beyond expectations.
The awards program recognizes, in a visible and meaningful manner, communities that demonstrate outstanding, innovative, and sustained performance in advancing the goals of the Society. STC recognizes the following communities for their efforts. Thank you to the committee, Chair MaryKay Grueneberg, Steve Adler, Francis Bao, Maryann Bowen, and Jamye Sagan.
Platinum Communities
Carolina Chapter
For your endless promotion of the Society, strong educational programs for technical communication professionals, as well as creative outreach to university students and other STC communities.
Chicago Chapter
For your dedication to the profession and to STC by offering a wide variety of innovative programs (featuring an elaborate 60th anniversary celebration), running a successful annual competition, producing excellent newsletters, and fostering strong partnerships with other organizations.
Philadelphia Metro Chapter
For having strong and varied programs and events for your members, and especially for your great focus on your student community with your Week of Writing and Web Content Strategy workshop.
Rochester Chapter
For your remarkable work in recognizing members through your various chapter-level awards, impressive blend of educational and social activities, and your extensive student outreach.
Gold Communities
Instructional Design & Learning SIG
Technical Editing SIG
Silver Communities
Houston Chapter
Northeast Ohio Chapter
Texas Tech University Student Chapter
Bronze Communities
San Diego Chapter
Southeastern Michigan Chapter
Jay R. Gould Award
The Jay R. Gould Award for Excellence in Teaching Technical Communication honors the distinguished teaching career of the late Professor Gould, whose academic mentorship guided many into the technical communication profession. To be eligible for the award, a nominee must have been a member of the Society for Technical Communication for at least ten years and must have been involved in postsecondary education for at least fifteen years. The committee this year includes Chair Kirk St.Amant, Jackie Damrau, Ann Jennings, and Russel Hirst.
This year’s winners are:
Steven M. Gerson
For a career dedicated to student success through inspirational teaching and exceptional mentoring.
Herb J. Smith
For a career dedicated to effective education that has influenced teaching practices across the field.
Congratulations to Dr. Gerson and Dr. Smith for these honors.
Frank R. Smith Award
Each year, the editor of Technical Communication appoints a judging committee to select the outstanding article from the previous year’s issues. Judges base their decisions on article content and form. The award honors the memory of Frank R. Smith, during whose 18-year tenure as editor Technical Communication became established as the flagship publication of STC and the profession. This year’s judging team for the Frank R. Smith competition consisted of Chair Leah Guren, Ramesh Aiyyanger, and Sally Henschel.
The judges are pleased to announce that the Frank R. Smith Outstanding Article Award goes to Petra ten Hove and Hans van der Meij for their article, “Like It or Not: What Characterizes YouTube’s More Popular Instructional Videos?” in the February 2015 issue of Technical Communication.
Petra ten Hove and Hans van der Meij
For the authors’ thorough statistical analysis of quantifiable characteristics present in popular YouTube instructional videos, and for the clear and useful presentation of the results. Their methodology has immediate applications in technical communication while providing a solid foundation for future research.
Congratulations to the honorees.
Intercom Outstanding Article and Guest-Edited Issue Awards
STC gives out two awards for exemplary work published in Intercom: the best article of the year and the best guest-edited issue of the year. This year’s judging team for the awards consisted of Chair Liz Herman, Beth Agnew, Nicky Bleiel, Barrie Byron, and Alan Houser.
The judges are pleased to announce that this year, there are two winners of the Intercom Outstanding Article Award: Kirk St.Amant for his article, “Re-considering Social Media for Global Contexts,” in the April 2015 issue of Intercom; and Saul Carliner for his article, “Technical Communication at a Crossroads,” in the Nov/Dec 2015 issue of Intercom.
Kirk St.Amant
For posing important questions for technical communicators using social media with global audiences. The article is an outstanding example of using international technical communication principles in a modern media context.
Saul Carliner
For providing a historical perspective on the field and identifying challenges the technical communication profession faces after four epochs. The article provides a thorough overview of the past and a clear direction to strive for in the future.
The Intercom Outstanding Guest Edited Issue goes to Marcia Riefer Johnston for her guest-edited January 2015 issue, with a theme of “professional writing and editing fundamentals.”
Marcia Riefer Johnston
For guest editing an exemplary issue of Intercom that provides readers with an essential primer on fundamental writing and editing skills. The issue provides new insights and ongoing conversation on a core topic within technical communication.
Congratulations to all the honorees.
Ken Rainey Award
The Ken Rainey Award for Excellence in Research was established by STC in 2006 to celebrate and honor Professor Ken Rainey’s passion for research that results in improvements to technical communication, especially to practice. The goal of the award is to encourage quality and excellence in technical communication research by honoring those whose research studies have made an outstanding contribution to the field. The committee for this year’s award is Chair Ann Blakeslee, Michael Albers, Saul Carliner, Nancy W. Coppola, and Laurie Kantner.
This year’s winner is:
Charles Kostelnick
For a lifetime of quality and influential research in the field of visual communication, a superior publication record, a well-deserved national and international reputation in the field, and influence on generations of teachers, scholars, and practitioners.
Congratulations to Dr. Kostelnick for this well-deserved honor.
Distinguished Service Awards
STC has long recognized the importance of the hard work and commitment of its community members. Without their energy and enthusiasm, the Society would cease to be the largest, most effective, and most prestigious organization of technical communicators in the world.
Below are the honorees this year for the Distinguished Chapter Service Awards, Distinguished SIG Service Awards, and Distinguished Service Award for Students. Congratulations to each of them and thank you for your service to the Society. And thank you to the members of the committee, Chair Adam Evans, Roger Renteria, and Cheryl Landes.
Distinguished SIG Service Award
In 2002, the Society initiated a formal awards program to recognize the commitment and hard work of members of its special interest groups (SIGs). The Distinguished SIG Service Award (DSSA) recognizes length of SIG membership, consistency of service over the duration of membership, and variety of service.
Following are the winners of the 2016 Distinguished SIG Service Award and their official citations.
Europe SIG
Jennifer O Neill
For your leadership in the Europe SIG, your contributions to STC’s Body of Knowledge in international communication, and your support of members in the field.
Academic SIG
Pam Brewer
In recognition of your exceptional, visionary leadership of and significant contributions to the Academic SIG, a Community of Excellence, and to the Society; and for your unwavering dedication to building bridges of communication between industry and education.
Technical Editing SIG
Wendy Mastandrea
For your enthusiastic service to the Technical Editing SIG throughout your membership, and for your outstanding contributions to the Technical Editing SIG’s Water Cooler Chat program.
Technical Editing SIG
Lori Meyer
In recognition of your exemplary leadership, contributions, and service to the Technical Editing SIG and your commitment to excellence.
IDL SIG
Viqui Dill
For her superpowers, used in our SIG to lead both Programs and Website teams, that she expresses with grace and good humor.
IDL SIG
Preeti Mathur
In recognition of your exemplary patience, dedication, and diplomacy in co-managing the SIG, while simultaneously overseeing the training evaluation program, and porting the website to a new hosting service.
Distinguished Chapter Service Awards
In 1988, the Society initiated the Distinguished Chapter Service Award (DCSA) to recognize exemplary dedication to the chapter and its activities. The first awards were presented in 1989. Following is a list of DCSA winners for 2015 with their official citations.
Carolina
Robert Perry
For your dedication to the Carolina Chapter and for your outreach efforts to the student community and the next generation of technical communicators.
Chicago
John Hartigan
In appreciation and recognition of your vital contributions to the Chicago Metro Chapter of the Society for Technical Communication.
East Bay
Lori R. Meyer
For your leadership, guidance, and tireless commitment to making EBSTC a successful and award-winning STC community.
Northeast Ohio
Carrie Cianciola
For sustained contributions to the Northeast Ohio Chapter; for your ideas, enthusiasm, and commitment.
Philadelphia Metro
David Calloway
For sustained contributions to the Philadelphia Metro Chapter.
Philadelphia Metro
Jessica Rineer
For exceptional leadership of the Philadelphia Metro Chapter; for your selfless contributions, inspiration, energy, and continued dedication.
Phoenix
Jeanette Lee Randall
For sustained contributions to the STC Phoenix Chapter during your tenure as chapter Vice President and for exemplary service on the 2014 Summit Host Chapter Committee.
Rochester
Melanie R. Blank
For sustained contributions to the Rochester Chapter—for years of effort maintaining our Employment List, and for enthusiastically supporting and volunteering at chapter activities.
Rochester
Wendy Barnhart Ross
For your noteworthy leadership in the Rochester Chapter; for your tremendous work co-chairing the Spectrum Conference; for your capable leadership as President for two consecutive terms; for filling in as Competition Manager near the end of your presidency; and for your insightful counsel and support of the chapter as Immediate Past President.
Rocky Mountain
Marcia Wood
In recognition of your leadership, enthusiasm, providing service with a smile, and especially for implementing and managing our Active Member Rewards program and welcoming new members to our chapter as Membership Manager.
San Diego
DJ Towne
For sustained contributions to the San Diego Chapter—for your humor, wisdom, experience, and guidance.
Southeastern Michigan
Lisa Veasey
For your service and dedication to the STC Southeastern Michigan Chapter and future generations of technical communicators.
Washington, DC – Baltimore
Ugur Akinci
For your dedicated leadership, participation in chapter planning and activities, and rejuvenation of our mentoring program. We treasure the kindness you show your fellow Administrative Council members and new volunteers. We also acknowledge the benefits we receive from your many years as a thought leader in our shared profession through your website, www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com.
Distinguished Service Award for Students
The Distinguished Service Award for Students (DSAS) recognizes student members who provide exemplary service to the Society through their dedication to their chapter and its activities.
Following is the winner of the 2015 Distinguished SIG Service Award and their citation.
Orlando Central Florida
Lisa Bottomley
For your skill, enthusiasm, commitment, and persistence in developing and implementing an innovative secondary-level educational outreach initiative; for your service as co-manager of the Orlando Central Florida STC Chapter Education Committee; and for the value you have added as a contributor to our newsletter, a presenter at a chapter meeting, and as a member of our core leadership team.
