Mississippi State’s Staff Council is seeking nominations of outstanding employees for the annual Zacharias Distinguished Staff Awards through Friday [April 2].

Twelve selected honorees will be publicly announced in a Virtual Staff Appreciation event May 7 from 10 a.m.-noon. They will be presented with a plaque of recognition along with a $1,000 check during a private ceremony with MSU President Mark E. Keenum on a date yet to be determined. The honors are a memorial to the university’s 15th president Donald W. Zacharias.

To be eligible for the award, nominees must be classified as a professional or support staff employee, be in good standing, work at least half-time, have a minimum of three years service and have never been a recipient of the award.

Other eligibility requirements for nominees include:

—Exemplifying professionalism and dedication to MSU by performing beyond the call of duty to improve service, quality and image of the department/unit.

—Serving as a positive role model for other faculty, staff and/or students.

—Demonstrating outstanding accomplishments of significance based on initiative, cooperation and ability to perform a job successfully.

—Demonstrating a high degree of competence and expertise.

—Working beyond the boundaries of the job by participating in university or community service projects.

Nomination forms are available at www.staffcouncil.msstate.edu/zacharias-awards and will be accepted from MSU administrators, faculty, staff and students. The PDF form can be filled out and printed or a paper copy can be picked up from Kelly LaSalle at 313 Memorial Hall. A letter of support is not required. If additional space is needed, attach an additional page. A maximum of five total pages, including the nomination form, are allowed. Additional pages will not be reviewed.

Completed nomination forms should be emailed to Cristi Stevens at cfp2@msstate.edu or sent to Mail Stop 9556, MSU Welcome Center, Mississippi State, MS 39762.

For more information, visit www.staffcouncil.msstate.edu/zacharias-awards.