DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

First awarded in 1990, the New England Archivists Distinguished Service Award is given annually to a nominee (an individual, institution, or group of individuals or institutions) dedicated to the promotion of New England Archivists’ objectives and who has made significant contributions to the profession, their institution, New England Archivists, or the archival community in New England.

Completed nominations are due by February 15. Nominations are reviewed and the recipient chosen by the Nominating Committee. Applicants and nominees are informed of the Committee’s decision no later than March 1.

How to Apply

Nominee Eligibility
This award may be given to any nominee (an individual, institution, or group of individuals or institutions), regardless of NEA membership status, but the recipient must be or have been active in New England for a significant portion of their career. Preference is given to nominees whose work has had a broad, long-term impact, such as service to NEA, educational or scholarly activities, or leadership. The nominees will be considered on the basis of their contributions across all of these categories or on the basis of exceptional contributions in one particular area.

Members of the Executive Board are not eligible to receive this award. Previous award recipients are not eligible in subsequent award cycles. However, an employee or member of an institutional recipient of the award is eligible for the award.

The Distinguished Service Award may be awarded posthumously.

Nomination Submission
The nomination period begins in December, and completed nominations are due by February 15. Nominees may be nominated by more than one applicant.

Submit complete applications to ipp@newenglandarchivists.org with “Distinguished Service Award Nomination” in the subject line.

Complete nominations will consist of:

A cover sheet including
- Nominee’s name and contact information
- Nominee’s title and institutional affiliation
- Applicant’s name and contact information
- Date of application
- Applicant’s signature
A brief essay (500 words or less) detailing why the nominee deserves the award
(Optional) Nominee’s current resume
(Optional) Nominee’s publications, work products, course outlines, etc.
(Optional) Other supporting documentation

Incomplete nominations will not be considered.

The Nominating Committee may solicit nominations for nominees it feels are deserving of the award.

Nominations may be resubmitted in subsequent award cycles if they are not selected for the award when first submitted.

Nomination Review and Recipient Selection
One recipient can be chosen to receive this award each award cycle. The recipient of this award will be chosen on the merit of their nominations. Preference is given to nominees whose work has had a broad, long-term impact, such as service to NEA, educational or scholarly activities, or leadership. The nominees will be considered on the basis of their contributions across all of these categories or on the basis of exceptional contributions in one particular area.

A simple majority vote of the Nominating Committee will determine the recipient. Votes are submitted by Committee members privately to the Committee Chair, who compiles them and provides the Committee with the results. In the case of a tie, the President will cast the deciding vote.

The Nominating Committee may postpone voting on a nomination if additional information is required. In such cases, the Committee Chair will notify the nominator(s) that additional materials are needed. The Committee may only postpone the vote once. If requested by the Executive Board, the Committee Chair will report on the activity of the Committee to the Executive Board in a closed session.

If the Committee does not select a recipient from the nominations, or in the absence of nominations, the award will not be given.

Previous Award Recipients

2024 - No award made
2023 - Anna Clutterbuck-Cook
2022 - Julianna Kuipers
2021 - Mary Caldera
2020 - Ellen Doon
2019 - Mary Ides
2018 - Robert Cox
2017 - Jeannette Bastian and Dan McCormack
2016 - Kathryn Hammond Baker
2015 - Nora Murphy
2014 - Jane Ward
2013 - Gregor Trinkaus-Randall
2012 - No award made
2011 - Ed Desrochers and Susan Von Salis
2010 - Paul R. Bergeron
2009 - No award made
2008 - Ellen Cherpak
2007 - No award made
2006 - Megan Sniffin-Marinoff
2005 - Joan Krizack
2004 - No award made
2003 - Patricia Bodak Stark and Bruce Stark
2002 - David Horn and D. Gregory Sanford
2001 - Jim O'Toole and Harry C. Keiner
2000 - Connell B. Gallagher
1999 - No award made
1998 - No award made
1997 - No award made
1996 - No award made
1995 - Eva Moseley and Helen Willa Samuels
1994 - Randall Jimerson
1993 - No award made
1992 - No award made
1991 - No award made
1990 - John Kendall

Questions? Feedback? Contact the Nominating Committee Chair.