Hallmark Awards
Hallmark Awards judges will evaluate each program entry, using rubrics developed by a task force of members, advisors, Regional Coordinators and Headquarters staff. Rubrics are a set of criteria or guidelines that ensure standardization of the judging process.
View the Judging Rubrics for each Award
| Chapter Awards | Member Awards | Advisor Awards |
| Administrator Awards | Regional Awards | Alumni Awards |
Chapter Awards
The Hallmark Awards honor chapter accomplishments in the Society's Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership and Service. The Fellowship Hallmark should be an integral part of each Hallmark program, by strengthening the bonds among Phi Theta Kappa members and reaching out to others through chapter programming. The annual Hallmark Awards Program is open to all active Phi Theta Kappa chapters.
The Scholarship Hallmark Awards
Implementation of the current Honors Study Topic should be the primary focus of Scholarship Hallmark programs. Other activities may include tutoring, mentoring, and projects recognizing scholarship among students and/or faculty. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Scholarship Hallmark goals for both the primary focus (Honors Study Topic) and secondary focus (mentoring, tutoring, etc.) of their Scholarship Hallmark program. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Scholarship Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
The Leadership Hallmark Awards
Implementation of activities in which the chapter assumes leadership roles on campus, in the community and within Phi Theta Kappa should be the primary focus of Leadership Hallmark programs. Other activities may demonstrate how the chapter has promoted the development of leadership skills for members and others on campus and in the community. Phi Theta Kappa's Leadership Development Studies Program may be used as the basis for leadership development for the chapter and others. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Leadership Hallmark goals for both the primary focus (leadership roles) and the secondary focus (leadership skills development) of their Leadership Hallmark program. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Leadership Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
The Service Hallmark Awards
Implementation of the current International Service Program should be the primary focus of Service Hallmark programs. Other service activities involving your campus, your community and/or other chapters in or beyond your region may also be included. To be competitive, chapters should be able to clearly define their Service Hallmark goals for both the primary focus (International Service Program) and the secondary focus (other service activities) of their Service Hallmark program. Chapters will also be asked to describe the specific outcome of their Service Hallmark program, including who benefited and how they benefited, as well as the growth of the chapter and others.
The Distinguished Chapter Awards
To be considered for a Distinguished Chapter Award, a chapter must submit entries for Scholarship, Leadership and Service. Selection of the Distinguished Chapters will be based solely on the written entries for these Hallmark Awards. The scores in each of the three Hallmark categories mentioned above will be averaged to determine a chapter's overall ranking. Individual award entries, such as Distinguished Chapter President, Distinguished Advisor, etc., are not taken into account for the purposes of this award. Chapters should not submit separate specific entries for the Distinguished Chapter Awards, since only the stated materials will be considered in the selection process. As many as 25 chapters may be named Distinguished Chapters.
The Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Awards
This award was named for the Beta Alpha Chapter, Blinn College, Brenham, Texas. If a chapter is named a Distinguished Chapter three years consecutively, the chapter will be presented the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award. Again, these awards are obtained from averaging a chapter's scores in Scholarship, Leadership and Service. Chapters should not submit formal entries for this award. A chapter receiving the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award in 2008 is eligible to receive the Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award in 2009 as well.
Member Awards
The Distinguished Chapter President Awards
Distinguished Chapter Presidents are selected based on the recipients' demonstration of leadership, involvement in chapter programs, friendship with fellow scholars, and enthusiasm for the Society's Hallmarks. A student may receive this award only once. International Officers are not eligible for this award during their year of tenure. Team leaders or committee chairpersons may not be nominated for this award. As many as 30 Distinguished Chapter Presidents may be named.
The Distinguished Chapter Officer Awards
Distinguished Chapter Officers are selected based on the recipients' demonstration of leadership, involvement in chapter programs, friendship with fellow scholars, and enthusiasm for the Society's Hallmarks. International Officers are not eligible for this award during their year of tenure. Chapter presidents may not be nominated for this award. Team leaders or committee chairpersons may not be nominated for this award. A student may receive this award only once. As many as 30 Distinguished Chapter Officers may be named.
The Distinguished Member Awards
The Distinguished Members are selected based on a student's embodiment of the Hallmarks of the Society, emphasizing participation in Society programs. Members holding elected office at the chapter, regional, or international levels are ineligible for this award. Team leaders or committee chairpersons may be nominated for this award, if their leadership position is by appointment not election. A student may receive this award only once. As many as 30 Distinguished Members may be named.
Advisor Awards
The Paragon Awards for New Advisors
Paragon Awards will be presented to as many as 40 outstanding new advisors each year. Advisors with less than five years of service may be nominated for the Paragon Award. Years of service will be based upon the advisor's start date reported to Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters. Award-winning advisors are those who make significant contributions to the growth of the individual members, serve as the chapter's advocate on campus, and encourage the chapter to be involved on the local, regional and/or international level of the organization. An advisor may receive this award more than once.
The Distinguished Advisor Awards
The Distinguished Advisor Awards will be presented to as many as 40 outstanding advisors each year. The criteria are the same as the Paragon Award with the exception that advisors must have served at least five years or more to be nominated for this award. Years of service will be based upon the advisor's start date reported to Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters. Advisors who receive this award in 2008 are ineligible for the award in 2009.
Administrator Awards
The Distinguished Administrator Awards
The Distinguished Administrator Awards will be awarded to community college vice presidents, deans, or leaders other than college presidents/CEOs serving a community college in an administrative capacity. Nominees should have served in their position for at least two years as of the International Convention, and should have demonstrated during their tenure a strong level of support for the Society. Awards will be presented at the International Convention to recipients who choose to attend, but may also be sent directly to the advisor of the nominating chapter for presentation during an appropriate occasion. Up to 25 Distinguished Administrator Awards may be presented each year. A college administrator may receive this award only once.
The Shirley B. Gordon Awards of Distinction
College presidents and campus CEOs are selected for this award on the basis of outstanding efforts given toward promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa. Applications cite specific ways the president has demonstrated support for the chapter and the Society as a whole. The recipients must agree to attend the 2009 International Convention in Grapevine, Texas, April 16-18, 2009. As many as 25 Gordon Awards may be presented annually. A college president or campus CEO may receive this award only once.
The Distinguished State Community College Director Awards
The Distinguished State Community College Director Awards will recognize the contributions of heads of state community college systems. Entries for this award will demonstrate the State Community College Director's support of Phi Theta Kappa throughout his/her state during his/her term of service. Entries may be submitted by a chapter, chapter advisor or Regional Coordinator. The recipients must agree to attend the 2009 International Convention in Grapevine, Texas, April 16-18, 2009. An unlimited number of these awards may be presented. A State Community College Director may receive this award only once.
The Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Awards
The Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to college presidents, campus CEOs at two-year or senior institutions, and state community college directors who have been supportive of Phi Theta Kappa, and are retiring from their careers. Recipients are not required to attend the International Convention. Bennett Awards will be presented at the Convention to recipients who choose to attend, but the award may also be sent directly to the advisor of the nominating chapter for presentation during an appropriate occasion. An unlimited number of these awards may be given.
Regional Awards
Distinguished Regional Coordinator Awards
Distinguished Regional Coordinators are selected by the Society's executive staff.
Selection will be based on coordinators': (1) encouragement, fellowship and continuity provided to chapters within the region; (2) assistance provided in planning and implementing regional meetings; (3) facilitation of attendance at international meetings by chapters in their region; (4) orientation, motivation and direction provided to chapter advisors and regional officers.
Each recipient must have served the Society as a coordinator for a minimum of five years. As many as three recipients may be named each year. A Distinguished Regional Coordinator may be eligible again for the award after 10 years.
The Distinguished Region Awards
The Distinguished Region Awards recognize achievements of regions in many areas of programming and organizational structure. Selection is based on the quality of regional programming, especially the leadership conference, regional convention, and regional honors institute. Consideration is also given to the overall strength of chapters in each region and the quantity and quality of chapter participation in Society's programs, such as the Five Star Chapter Development Program. As many as three awards may be given in this category.
The Regional Milestone Awards
The Regional Milestone Awards will be offered in years when appropriate and may be given to as many as three regions. This award recognizes renewed enthusiasm among existing regions and superior achievements of newly organized regions. The award is based on quality of regional programming and other supporting evidence.
The Distinguished Regional Officer Awards
Nominations for the Distinguished Regional Officers must come from Regional Coordinators. Nomination materials are sent directly to all Regional Coordinators. As many as 10 regional officers may be named.
The Distinguished Regional Officer Team Awards
Regional Coordinators may also nominate their entire regional officer team for the Distinguished Regional Officer Team Award. As many as three regional officer teams may be recognized each year.
Alumni Awards
Alumni Association Award of Merit
The Alumni Association Award of Merit recognizes an alumni association which has been exemplary in meeting the mission of Phi Theta Kappa's International Alumni Association. Selection is based on a nomination that states the association’s goals and objectives for the year and how these objectives were met. When merited, a regional association, a senior institution-based association and a community-based association will each be recognized as finalists for the Award of Merit. These finalists will be announced at the Alumni Banquet at the annual International Convention and announced again at the Hallmark Gala. The overall winner of the Award of Merit will be announced at the Hallmark Gala.
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