CDN Awards Process and Descriptions
As we all know, CDN is made up of talented and dedicated individuals. The following awards* have been created in order to provide CDN with a mechanism for recognizing individuals or teams for high-caliber achievements and contributions related to career services across our campus. A nominating committee made up of CDN Executive Board officers will solicit and review nominations annually and/or make their own nominations and select recipients**.
All nominations will require an essay with a limit of 3100 characters or roughly 500 words that outlines the nominee's impact in relation to the award requirements. For equity purposes, we ask that all nominations follow the character count requirement.
CDN Visionary Award (not awarded every year)
Given in recognition of a current or past member of the CDN community for their contributions (over a minimum of 15 years) to the field of career development, with a significant portion of their career at the University of Minnesota. This award is not necessarily given out every year.
Recipient should:
- Demonstrate a long-term commitment to student and career development
- Make contributions towards direct and/or indirect impact through their work with students, staff, community members, and services
- Elevate the vision and value of career development throughout campus and inspires the career growth of individuals
CDN Career Champion Award
This award recognizes a current or past member of the CDN for their contributions (over a minimum of 5 years) in the field of career development at the University of Minnesota. Recipients should:
- Advance the field of career services through active engagement in campus-wide career initiatives and activities.
- Build relationships across campus and with community partners to enhance students’ career experiences
- Contribute to creating a culture of career exploration and equitable career practices and communities
CDN Golden Gopher Award
This award honors individuals (or teams) who have made a significant positive impact on the lives of University of Minnesota students or CDN. This may be a one-time achievement or achievement over time related to teaching, research, projects, or delivery of exemplary service to students and/or our employer partners.
- Nominations from all levels of experience are encouraged for this award.
- Describe the significant positive impact (what was the result, impact, accomplishment, improvement to services, etc.)
- Demonstrate alignment with CDN’s values of collaboration, innovation, action-oriented, responsible stewardship, or diversity.
* Award titles and descriptions updated on December 2020
** A nomination of an individual or team of individuals does not ensure receipt of the award.
Past Award Winners
2022:
-
Maggie Kubak, CDN Visionary Award
2021:
- Lucy Reile, CDN Career Champion Award
- Chelsea Ochoa, CDN Golden Gopher Award
2020:
- Joyce Halverson, CDN Lifetime Achievement Award
- Katy Hinz, CDN Golden Achievement Award
- Bai Vue, CDN Golden Gopher Merit Award
2019:
- Emily Loudon, CDN Golden Gopher Merit Award
- Paul Timmins, CDN Lifetime Achievement Award
- Julie Westlund, CDN Lifetime Achievement Award
2018:
- Scott Simpson - CDN Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sara Nagel Newberg - CDN Golden Achievement Award
- Xiaoji Zhang - CDN Golden Gopher Merit Award
2017:
- Gary Donovan - CDN Lifetime Achievement Award
- Anissa Lightner - CDN Golden Achievement Award
- Rebecca Dordel - CDN Golden Gopher Merit Award
2016:
- Jean Underwood - CDN Lifetime Achievement Award
- Joyce Halverson - CDN Golden Achievement Award
- Lisa Novack - CDN Golden Gopher Merit Award
2015:
- Becky Hall - CDN Golden Achievement Award
2014:
- Heidi Perman - CDN Golden Achievement Award
- Beth Lory - CDN Golden Gopher Merit Award
2013:
- Jerry Rinehart - CDN Lifetime Achievement Award
- Lynne Schumann - CDN Golden Achievement Award
- Sara Nagel Newberg, Chris Buckley, Jeannie Stumne, Heidi Perman - CDN Golden Gopher Merit Award