Call for 2024 McPherson Nominations

February 12, 2024

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Each year, the College honors members of the faculty, staff, and graduate and undergraduate student bodies as McPherson Fellows.  The recipients are recognized for achievement and for service to the community, either within or beyond the boundaries of Bryn Mawr.  The awards, now in their 26th year, are supported by the McPherson Fund for Excellence, an endowed fund that honors President Emeritus Pat McPherson’s extraordinary tenure at Bryn Mawr and her long-standing commitment to encouraging the highest standards of achievement among members of the College community.

The McPherson Fund was established by the Board of Trustees in 1997, the last year of President McPherson's tenure at Bryn Mawr.  By the terms of the Fund, recipients of the McPherson Award receive public recognition and a financial award that varies by recipient group. 

I write to encourage you to nominate outstanding individuals in the Bryn Mawr community for a McPherson Award.  You may nominate someone for this award in any of the categories described below.  Cross-nominations, such as the nomination of a faculty member by a student or of a staff member by a faculty member, are encouraged.  I hope you will submit nominations in a number of categories, as the strength of the program depends upon the quality of the nominations we receive. 

The McPherson Award website contains more information, including past recipients.  The community may submit nominations for this prestigious honor online as well as by email or letter; the link to the form can also be found on the website.

Faculty
One McPherson Award is given each year to a tenured, tenure-track, or continuing, non-tenure-track faculty member for achievement and for community service at Bryn Mawr or elsewhere.  The award supports either a research stipend of $7,500 or a reduction from three courses to one course in the semester following the next sabbatical leave, to be scheduled in coordination with the faculty member’s department and the Provost's Office.  The faculty McPherson Fellow is chosen from the pool of nominees by the Committee on Appointments in consultation with the Provost.  Please submit your nomination to Provost Tim Harte, Taylor Hall 103, or via the online form no later than Thursday, March 7.

Staff
McPherson Awards are given to members of the staff for exceptional service to their own community or that of the College.  Each recipient receives $1,500.  Eligible staff may be part- or full-time employees who have completed at least three years of continuous service at the College by Thursday, March 7.  The President and those who report directly to her are not eligible, nor are prior McPherson or Distinguished Staff Award winners or the Director of Human Resources.  Nominations will be reviewed by a Selection Committee comprised of the President, a member of the Staff Association Executive Council, the Director of Human Resources, the immediate past recipients of the McPherson faculty and staff awards, and representatives from the undergraduate and graduate student bodies.  Please submit your nomination to Marty Mastascusa, Director of Human Resources, Human Resources building, or via the online form no later than Thursday, March 7.

GSAS Students
One or more McPherson Award recipients are selected from the student body of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for academic achievement and exceptional community service, whether at Bryn Mawr or elsewhere.  The winners share a $5,000 award and are chosen from the pool of nominees by the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Committee on Graduate Awards.  Specific comments on the nominee’s community service are very helpful.  Please submit your nomination to Dean Xuemei May Cheng, Old Library 120, or via the online form no later than Thursday, March 7.

GSSWSR Students
One or more McPherson recipients are selected from the student body of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research for academic achievement and a distinguished record of community service.  The winners share a $5,000 award, and are chosen from the pool of nominees by the Dean of the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research in consultation with their respective Faculty Advisory Committees.  Please submit your nomination to Dean Janet Shapiro, GSSWSR building, or via the online form no later than Thursday, March 7.

Undergraduate Students
Three McPherson Award winners are chosen from the senior class in recognition of their academic achievement and a distinguished record of community service.  Each receives $4,000 to support their pursuit of academic, career, personal or service interests. Students who are nominated and are being considered for this award are invited to submit an application discussing their contributions to the community and their future plans.  Recipients are selected by a committee staffed by the Undergraduate Dean's Office.  Please submit your nomination to the Dean’s Office, Guild Hall, or via the online form no later than Thursday, March 7.

I look forward to announcing this year's McPherson Fellows this spring.

With best wishes,

Kim Cassidy
President