The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women is looking for nominees for three awards to be given out on Honors Day, April 20. Those who strive for the advancement of women on campus will be acknowledged for their efforts.

“We would like to acknowledge the great women on campus,” said Betty Baugh, administrative secretary of the Women’s Resource Center.

Each of the three awards acknowledge everyday people who do wonderful things, Baugh said.

Two of the three awards are fairly new to the program. This is only the second year for the Outstanding Mentor and the Women Who Make a Difference awards. The Wilma D. Stricklin award has been in existence for several years.

“We need people to nominate people for these awards,” Baugh said.

Each nomination requires two letters of recommendation from people other than the nominator.

Aside from the three nomination-based awards is the Martha Cooper Journalism award, which students can apply for freely.

“We really want to get enough cross-selection of applicants,” Baugh said.

The deadline to apply or nominate people for all four awards is March 3.

Wilma D. Stricklin Award – Presented to an individual who has distinguished herself or himself by making continual and extraordinary contributions to the climate for women campus-wide.

Outstanding Mentor Award – Presented to one or two NIU civil service, professional staff or faculty employees who have shown exceptional commitment to advancing the career and/or educational goals of NIU women students, staff and/or faculty.

Women Who Make a Difference Award – Presented each year to one or two NIU women of civil service, professional staff or a faculty employee who have shown outstanding dedication to the empowerment of NIU women.

Martha Cooper Journalism Award – For NIU students and alumni who have written and published articles about women’s issues at NIU during the time frame of March 1 of the prior year to present.

For more information on the criteria for each award, visit http://www.niu.edu/women/PCSW/current_awards.shtml.