LBJ SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION-AUSTIN CHAPTER ANNOUNCES THE “SPIRIT OF LBJ AWARD” WINNERS!
LBJ School of Public Affairs Alumni Association – Austin Chapter (Left to Right) President Ginger Lowry with Winners Wes Ven Johnson, Sophia Checa & Dean Robert Hutchings
After consideration of an excellent group of nominees, the LBJ School of Public Affairs Alumni Association’s Austin Chapter is pleased to announce our winners of the Fourth Annual Spirit of LBJ Award. This year's deserving winners, who merited equal recognition, are Mr. Wes Ven Johnson and Ms. Sophia Checa.
The Spirit of LBJ Award, started with seed and matching funds from Ben Barnes, recognizes students whose commitment to the greater LBJ Community goes ‘above and beyond’ the normal to capture Lyndon B. Johnson’s spirit of vision, leadership and action. The Austin Alumni Chapter gives the award to incoming second year student(s) who have demonstrated leadership, commitment to the LBJ School and the greater Austin community; and exhibit a strong sense of ethics and integrity. “Wes and Sophia both represent the character and commitment that President Johnson envisioned from an LBJ student,” stated Austin Chapter President Ginger Lowry. “Wes and Sophia exemplify the best of the LBJ School, the LBJ community and The University of Texas at Austin.”
Wes Ven Johnson and Sophia Checa’s nominations noted their commitment to serving the school and fellow students, raising money for student organizations while keeping their outside commitments in the greater LBJ and Austin community. Sophia and Wes served on the GPAC Committee. Both were involved with the Grindstone Community Service Organization and the Social Health and Economic Policy organization. Wes worked the Barbara Jordan Forum Week and Sophia served as the Harvey Milk Society Co-Chair.
For their efforts Mr. Ven Johnson and Ms. Checa, both received $375 at the Annual Alumni Welcome Back Social for Students held Thursday, August 25, 2011.
The Austin Chapter is part of the LBJ School Alumni Association and an Alumni Network within Texas Exes. The Chapter represents nearly 1,000 graduates of the LBJ School of Public Affairs living within the greater-Austin area and local faculty. Visit: www.lbjalumni.org. To make a donation to the Spirit of LBJ Award, go to: www.lbjalumni.org and click Donate.
The Spirit of LBJ Award
President Johnson created a public policy school to produce leaders and doers. The LBJ School Austin Alumni Association fully supports this idea of involvement and leadership as envisioned by the founders of the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Participation by a student in the many organizations, committees, projects, and other endeavors at the LBJ School not only increases the value of an LBJ degree for the student but also for every graduate.
To encourage students to be involved in the greater LBJ community and to reward those who go above and beyond, the Austin Alumni Association established the Spirit of LBJ Award. We have awarded three scholarships since the inception of this prestigious award and will be looking for a fourth recipient beginning next spring (see details below). Please nominate returning students whom you feel are deserving of such recognition. Nominations may be accepted on behalf of a student or from individuals themselves.
WHAT IS THE AWARD?
One scholarship of up to $500 and recognition of the recipient at a public event will be arranged by The LBJ School Austin Alumni Association (www.lbjalumni.org) .
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Any returning student at the LBJ School with less than 35 credit hours earned towards a Master’s Degree and who is in good standing with the University of Texas (based on discussion with the Office of Student and Alumni Programs (OSAP)).
Nominees/applicants will be considered to be in good standing if they:
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Are not on academic probation
- Do not have any bars to registration, such as financial or advising bars
- Have no disciplinary actions outstanding.
Any student holding the Barbara Jordan Scholarship or the Ben Barnes Fellowship* will be ineligible for this award.
* Nominations of any recipients of any other high-standing LBJ School fellowship or scholarship that is publicly released by the LBJ School and the OSAP office will be evaluated and taken into consideration by the Austin Alumni Association Board, who will choose the award recipient.
WHAT CHARACTERISTICS SHOULD THE AWARD RECIPIENT POSSESS?
- Past, present, and future commitment to serving the
- LBJ School
- LBJ School Student body
- Larger LBJ School community
- Leadership
- Strong sense of ethics and integrity
Nominations should provide an overall picture of the nominee's contributions to and achievements in public service with consideration given to the following
- Work within the LBJ School and greater LBJ Community
- Community service activities
- Overall distinguished quality of work
- Examples of significant results achieved
- Innovative ideas recognized and/or implemented
HOW DOES ONE RECOMMEND A NOMINEE OR ONESELF?
Simply submit a one-page paper communicating why you believe the nominee is deserving of the award, along with any supporting documents to The LBJ School Austin Alumni Association Board at SpiritAward@lbjalumni.org. Nominations for the upcoming year will be accepted beginning April 1. Nominations prior to this date will not be accepted.
WHEN IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE?
Completed nominations/applications must be emailed to The LBJ School Austin Alumni Association Board at SpiritAward@lbjalumni.org. by June 30th.
HOW WILL THE AWARD RECIPIENT BE CHOSEN & WHEN WILL THE AWARD BE ANNOUNCED?
The award recipient will be chosen by the Board of The LBJ School Austin Alumni Association, with input from a committee comprised of faculty and staff members, alumni, and a current student.
The LBJ School Austin Alumni Association will notify the winner before the start of fall classes.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LBJ School Austin Alumni Association at SpiritAward@lbjalumni.org or 512 232 3072 (Work).
If you wish to help sustain the Spirit of LBJ Award
please visit www.lbjalumni.org click on Donate Now.
LBJ School of Public Affairs Austin Alumni Association
“Spirit of LBJ Award” Winners
The Spirit of LBJ Award was created by the Austin Alumni Association to encourage students to get involved in the greater LBJ community and to reward those who go above and beyond. Each recipient of the award is gifted with a $500 scholarship.
2012 Spirit of LBJ Awards Will be Announced in August 2012
Previous Spirit of LBJ Award Winners
2011 - Sophia Checa & Wes Ven Johnson
2010 - Leah Bojo
2009 - Sarah Hutt Chen
2008 - Agnes Sekowski
