Gary M. DeCramer Public Leadership Award

Each year, to honor the memory of Gary M. DeCramer, who directed the Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program from 2002 to 2012, the Humphrey School honors a graduating MPA student or an international fellow who has demonstrated exemplary leadership with the Gary M. DeCramer Public Leadership Award.

Nominations for this award are due May 7, 2013.

Gary M. DeCramer, a senior lecturer and director of the mid-career Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program, joined the Humphrey School in 1992. As a member of the Humphrey community, he built a record of innovation, inclusion, and attention to the ethics of public affairs practice. He strengthened many aspects of the MPA degree and was especially effective in supporting international students. In addition to his work at the Humphrey School, DeCramer held many leadership positions, including serving as a state senator representing the southwestern region of Minnesota, as state director of USDA Rural Development, and interim president of Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota. He was a board member for Project Harvest Hope, an organization dedicated to values-based economic and agricultural development in the villages of the Transylvanian region of Romania, and chaired the board of directors of DARTS, a nonprofit organization whose 200 employees and 1,300 volunteers provide transportation, care giver, and other services throughout Dakota County. DeCramer was beloved by his students and colleagues, and the Humphrey community suffered a tremendous loss when he died suddenly in March 2012. This award was established to honor DeCramer’s exemplary career of public service and his devotion to educating leaders for the common good.

Eligibility + selection

To be considered for the award, the nominee must be a Humphrey School MPA student who has/will graduate between September 2012 and August 2013 or a 2012–13 international fellow at the Humphrey
School.

A committee consisting of one Humphrey School faculty member, one MPA student, one MPA alumnus/alumna, and a representative of the International Fellowship Programs will select the recipient of this award. The award, which carries a $500 prize, will be announced at commencement.

The nomination process

The nominator must submit:

A 500-word statement describing the nominee's record of public leadership and service.
Letters of support from two individuals who are familiar with the nominee's leadership activities. The letters should address the following:
- In what ways does the nominee demonstrate a commitment to service and the common good? The service might be in the nonprofit, busniess, government, and/or community arenas; ideally it would span two or more sectors.
- What results has the nominee achieved that promote the common good?
- In his or her treatment of others, how does the nominee display the ability to listen respectfully, counsel wisely, and delight in diversity?
- How does the nominee build bridges across cultures and regions?
- How has the nominee exhibited devotion to the democratic process?

You may nominate yourself or a colleague. Faculty are also welcome to submit nominations.
Nominating materials may be e-mailed to hhhss@umn.edu or sent to: Humphrey Student Services, 280
Humphrey School, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455 by 4:30 p.m. on May 7, 2013.