Everyday Recognition
The most meaningful recognition does not happen at a single annual event, it happens on an ongoing basis, within departments, day to day. Recognizing student colleagues is an integral part of the Berea College community, reflected in the Workplace Expectation to "Celebrate Work Well Done." To guide departments in this effort, the Work College Program offers the following principles:
- Recognition should be a sincere acknowledgment and affirmation of work well done.
- It should be offered in a timely manner and in a way that is meaningful to the recipient.
- The form recognition takes is left to each department's discretion, but should not include additional monetary compensation or excessive rewards.
- Recognition activities must conform to the College's Policy for Use of College Funds.
- Students must not be offered rewards simply to meet basic position requirements.
A place to start: pick one small recognition habit, a weekly shout-out, a thank-you note, a moment at your team meeting, and commit to it for the rest of the term.
Common Concerns, and Ways to Address Them
"I'm unsure how to provide recognition effectively."
Talk with colleagues about recognition strategies, and ask for feedback on your own approach so you can learn from past efforts. Resource guides for supervisors are available to borrow from the Work College Program Office.
"I don't feel recognition is an important part of my role."
Recognition is directly tied to the Workplace Expectation to Celebrate Work Well Done. It isn't optional, it's an integral part of daily work, both within a department and as part of the broader campus community.
"I don't have time to recognize my students."
Some of the most effective forms of recognition, personal or written praise, public recognition, a quick positive email, take very little time. A simple habit, such as listing your students on your weekly to-do list and checking off each name once you've "caught them doing something right," can make recognition simple and intentional.
"I'm afraid I might leave someone out."
Double-check who contributed to a project before recognizing a team publicly, and if someone deserving is accidentally left out, a simple apology and follow-up recognition go a long way.
Additional Tips for Supervisors
- Ask your students what kind of recognition means most to them, rather than assuming you already know.
- Recognize that one type of recognition doesn't fit everyone; update and refresh your approach regularly rather than relying on the same few traditional activities.
- Lead by example. When supervisors model recognition, it sets the tone for the whole department.
- Use everyday communication as an opportunity to recognize students, such as a shared bulletin board, a few minutes during a team meeting, or a quick thank-you note.
- Be specific with praise: name exactly what was done well and the positive effect it had.
- Consider a thank-you box where students can drop notes recognizing each other's good work, to be read aloud at team meetings.
- Nominate students for awards, and consider offering interesting assignments, conference attendance, or other leadership opportunities as a form of recognition.
Professional Development Day
Professional Development Day is the Work College Program's annual, campus-wide extension of the same recognition philosophy departments practice all year: a dedicated day to pause and celebrate students' contributions to the campus community. Classes and work-learning assignments are excused so students can take part fully. Today, the day centers on skill development and career readiness, offering workshops, sessions, and activities that help students strengthen their competencies, explore career pathways, and connect their work-learning experience to their future goals.
The day traces its roots back to 1921, when Berea College's first Labor Day was celebrated by putting students' everyday skills on full display, through competitions in sheep shearing, weaving, basket making, table setting, and alphabetical filing. Over the following century, the event evolved, and the term "Labor Day" gave way to a new focus on professional and skill development, though its original purpose, celebrating student work, remains at its core.
Awards
Departmental
Each department is allocated a number of departmental awards based on the number of student workers assigned. The department supervisor(s) and mentor(s) decide together which student or students have contributed the most to the work-learning-service environment over the past year. Recipients receive a $50 award and campus-wide recognition of their accomplishments. Departmental Awards are coordinated and funded by the Work-Learning-Service Program.
Endowed
Over the years, alumni and friends of the College have established endowed awards to honor contributions of a more specific nature. These awards are subject to a nomination and review process, and many come with a substantial prize or cash gift.
Anna Mae and Phyllis Shumaker Award
Named in 2004 in honor of two sisters who served Berea College for many years and were devoted to students in their offices, this award celebrates office work within the Work College Program and honors the Shumaker sisters' service and dedication.
Berea College Outstanding Student of the Year Award
Nominations are evaluated based on reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism, and the uniqueness of the student's contribution. The recipient is also eligible for honors and cash awards from MASEA (Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators), as well as Student of the Year recognition at the state, regional, and national levels among employment organizations.
Building Care Award
Selected annually by the Housekeeping Division of Facilities Management, this award recognizes a building that symbolizes a high level of cleanliness and quality of work for the enjoyment of the campus community.
Clara Bell Hall Crafts Award
Given to a student who demonstrates exceptional academic and artistic talent while contributing to the Student Crafts Program.
Danforth Creative Effort Awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Provided by the William H. Danforth Foundation of St. Louis, these cash awards honor students whose products of imagination and effort leave a lasting legacy beyond their time at Berea.
Food Service Special Award
Recognizes a student who finds fulfillment in service to fellow students.
Gladys Jameson Accompanist Award
Given in memory of Gladys Jameson, a member of the Berea College Music Faculty from 1916 to 1954, this award recognizes the most valuable student accompanist of the year.
Margaret G. Rogers Nursing Award
Given in honor of Margaret G. Rogers, a friend and supporter of Berea College who believed the College "always stressed the dignity of work," this award goes to a nursing student who has demonstrated excellence in their work-learning assignment.
Photo Awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Initiated by the Work College Program Office to encourage students to capture a visual representation of the work Berea students do.
Raymond B. Drukker Memorial Award for Library Service
Established on behalf of Dr. Raymond B. Drukker by his wife, Julia Drukker Stammer, and son, Dow Drukker, this cash award is presented to an outstanding student contributor in the College library.
Richard T. Hougen Hotel Management Award
Each year, the Boone Tavern professional staff recognizes outstanding student contributors to the operation of the hotel.
Dr. Russell I. Todd Award
Established by Dr. Russell I. Todd, this award honors a student for the most constructive use of their leisure time.
Sarah Fuller Smith Loom Award
Sarah Fuller Smith visited Berea only once but made annual gifts to the College during the last twenty-five years of her life. Awarded since 1929, the Loom Prize honors the outstanding weaver in Fireside Industries and provides the recipient a loom to build upon their weaving skills.
William R. Ramsay Horizon Award
Established to honor William Ramsay's vision of work and learning at Berea College, this award recognizes a first-year student who enthusiastically embraces the Work College Program as an integral part of Berea's mission and whose work shows great potential for the future. Recipients receive a copy of Shannon Wilson's book, Berea College: An Illustrated History.
Evans, Wilson, and Ellen Best "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty" Award
Presented to two graduating seniors who have performed above and beyond the requirements of their work-learning positions.
Leadership Awards
In recognition of their critical contribution, the Work College Program presents annual awards to faculty and staff leaders who serve in many capacities through their roles in the program: supervisor, mentor, teacher, adviser, and counselor.
Every department has at least one supervisor, but departments vary greatly in size and structure, which affects the dynamics of supervision. The Dean for the Work College Program selects the Supervisor of the Year recipient in consultation with students and colleagues. Supervisor of the Year is among the highest honors a supervisor can receive within the Work College Program.
Every supervisor is regarded as a practical educator within the Work College Program. The Educator of the Year award specifically recognizes a supervisor who exemplifies excellence in this role, bringing mentorship, reflection, and skill-building to life in an especially meaningful way for their students.
Program Transcript
The Work College Program Transcript serves as a record of a student's participation in the program throughout their enrollment. It provides a detailed accounting of every position held, including the department and supervisor name, the WLS levels attained, assigned work hours per week, and the results of each departmental evaluation. It also includes a record of any distinctions received, such as awards, special training, and certifications.
Students can use this transcript when writing resumes and pursuing future job searches, since it provides official documentation from Berea College showing position performance and skill levels attained.
The transcript is official only when it bears the embossed College seal and an authorized signature in blue ink. Transcripts are printed on security paper, and the word "COPY" will appear in the background if photocopied. Berea College cannot guarantee the authenticity of any transcript not issued directly to the receiving party. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), this transcript may not be released to a third party without the student's written consent.
A transcript can be requested through the Work College Program Office and is issued free of charge to current and former students. If a transcript is requested through a third-party processing system, a processing fee will apply through that third party.
A former student may have a hold preventing access to their records if they left Berea College with an outstanding account balance, if their loans are not in good standing, or if they did not meet their work-learning hour requirement by the end of their final term. Students in this situation should contact the appropriate department to resolve the hold.