Penny Crane Award for Distinguished Service

About Penny Crane

Penny Crane served in many capacities for both ACM and SIGUCCS including SIGUCCS board chair from 1986 to 1990. For many of our members, Penny comes to mind when service to SIGUCCS is mentioned. Her death left a huge void in the ranks of our volunteers. This award was established by the SIGUCCS board to honor her memory.

“A woman unafraid to be warm, laid back, friendly, and always ready for fun. She understood the importance of this for her life and as the heart of user services and SIGUCCS. I would describe her as the perfect matriarch of SIGUCCS.” – Diane Jung, Indiana University

About the Award

Each year, SIGUCCS members are invited to nominate their colleagues, along with five corresponding endorsements by SIGUCCS current or past members, for the Penny Crane Award. The deadline for nominations is November 1 of each year. See the Qualifications & Nominations information below for complete details and to nominate a colleague.

The selection committee reviews nominations and endorsements as received to determine if an award will be made at that year’s annual conference.

The award itself consists of an honorarium of $1,000, a lifetime membership in SIGUCCS, and a physical form of recognition, such as a plaque or paperweight. Travel costs and conference registration for the recipient to attend the ceremony are also covered.

Penny Crane Award for Distinguished Service Recipients

A special award was presented posthumously to Penny Crane at the 1999 SIGUCCS Fall Conference to honor her long-time service and contributions to SIGUCCS and ACM. Since then, the Penny Crane Award for Distinguished Service was established to recognize other individuals who have made significant contributions to SIGUCCS and computing in higher education.

• 2024 Recipient – Parrish Nnambi
• 2023 Recipient – Beth Rugg
• 2022 Recipient – Melissa Bauer
• 2019 Recipient – Kelly Wainwright
• 2018 Recipient – Nancy Bauer
• 2017 Recipient – Tim Foley
• 2016 Recipient – Phil Isensee
• 2015 Recipient – Bob Haring-Smith
• 2014 Recipient – Cindy Dooling
• 2013 Recipient – Terris Wolff
• 2011 Recipient – Leila Lyons
• 2010 Recipient – Lida Larsen
• 2009 Recipient – Robert Paterson
• 2008 Recipient – Jerry Smith
• 2007 Recipient – Dennis Mar
• 2006 Recipient – Jennifer Fajman
• 2005 Recipient – J. Michael Yohe
• 2004 Recipient – Linda J. Hutchison
• 2003 Recipient – Russell S. Vaught
• 2002 Recipient – John Bucher
• 2001 Recipient – Jack Esbin
• 2000 Recipient – Jane Caviness

Individual’s Qualifications

• Been a member of SIGUCCS over a relatively long term (but would not necessarily have to be a current member).
• Been nominated via a 500-word statement from a current member of SIGUCCS (no self-nominations).
• A record of long-term service to higher education and the computing profession, as indicated by a statement covering that service (normally a complete resume).
• A record of extensive service to SIGUCCS, over a significant period of time (normally ten or more years), which could be checked against the records of SIGUCCS and ACM.
• Received additional endorsements from at least five current or former members of SIGUCCS who are familiar with the contributions of the candidate.
• Services which might qualify an individual include: SIGUCCS officer or board member, Conference or Program Chair, Conference Presenter, Chairing a SIGUCCS Committee, Serving in the Peer Review process, conducting workshops, representing SIGUCCS on an ACM Committee, representing SIGUCCS/ACM to another information technology organization

Nominations

To nominate a colleague, complete the Penny Crane Nomination form along with a minimum of five Endorsements. Nominations, including all endorsements, for the Penny Crane award are required to be made to the selection committee by a deadline of November 1 of each year. This will allow sufficient review and selection in time for presenting the award at the next annual SIGUCCS conference.

Penny Crane Award Nomination form

Penny Crane Endorsement form

Financial Support for the Award

The award is supported by a special endowment fund. Anyone wishing to contribute to the fund should send checks made out to “ACM SIGUCCS Penny Crane Fund” to the attention of:

Director, Office of Financial Services
ACM
2 Penn Plaza, Suite 701
New York, NY 10121-0701

If a written acknowledgement of the gift is needed, be sure to include the complete name and address of the donor.