Founders Medal

Purpose

The Founders Medal is established to recognize individuals who have contributed significant and distinguished service to Gardner-Webb University.

Criteria

The Founders Medal will be awarded by action of the University Board of Trustees and the Office of the President to persons who have contributed significant and distinguished service and support to Gardner-Webb University.

• No more than two (2) Founders Medals may be awarded in any one academic year, though it is not required that an award be made each year.
• Recipients may not be on the payroll of Gardner-Webb University.
• Current members of the GWU Board of Trustees are not eligible.
• Sitting elected state and national officials are not eligible.
• The Founders Medal may be awarded posthumously.
• Nominations may be carried over for two years. After two years, individuals may be re-nominated.

Significant and Distinguished Service

The Founders Medal is given to a person who has demonstrated significant and distinguished service to Gardner-Webb. This individual—who may or may not have served as an employee of the university—will have provided extraordinary service, leadership and/or advocacy over an extended period of time and/or in an exceptional or groundbreaking way for the benefit of our University. The individual will have demonstrated dedication to the institution (beyond any assigned work duties, if applicable), such as through volunteer and/or board service or notable financial support. In addition, this individual will have demonstrated leadership within his/her community through his/her service with external organizations and/or through the individual’s professional contributions and accomplishments. In addition to the above criteria and his/her achievements in advancing Gardner-Webb University, this individual will be well respected by his/her peers and colleagues—and likely to inspire or have inspired others to service.

The Founders Medal should not be awarded solely on the basis of financial support.

Procedure

The Board of Trustees and the Office of the President shall select up to two (2) Founders Medal recipients annually. The Chair of the Advancement Sub-committee will receive nominations and forward up to five (5) recommendations to the Vice President of Advancement for review with the President.

• The Founders Medal Selection Committee comprised of representation from University Archive, Marketing, Alumni Relations, and Advancement will select the recipient(s) of the Founders Medal.
• Faculty, students, alumni, administrators, and the general public will be invited to submit nominations to the Director of Alumni Relations.
• Presentation of The Founders Medal(s) will be a feature of the annual Founders Day Dinner. Founders Day Award recipients will be presented with a medallion and a lapel pin. The recipient will also be presented with their portrait which will hang in the Dover Library for one year.