End-of-Year Award Information

AICP Award

The American Institute of Certified Planners Award is given to an outstanding planning student. The recipient is chosen by a MURP faculty committee. There is no nomination for this award, as all second-year MURP students are eligible.

Bolan Award

The Richard S. Bolan Urban and Regional Planning Fellowship encourages and supports outstanding students in the Humphrey School's Urban and Regional Planning program to complete their program in a timely manner.

This fund provides scholarship support to a second-year MURP with an outstanding academic record and financial need (up to $2,400). The individual receiving this award will be selected by a committee comprised of two faculty members from the Urban and Regional Planning Program and one representative from the Humphrey School's Office of Graduate Studies. The award shall be made in late spring to a first-year MURP student, for use during their second year.

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 and co-founded the MPA cohort model, the Humphrey School honors an MPA student, PAL Certificate student, or an International Fellow who has demonstrated exemplary leadership with the Gary M. DeCramer Public Leadership Award.

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.

To be considered for the award, the nominee must be a current Humphrey School MPA/PAL Certificate student or a current international fellow at the Humphrey School. Students who have met their graduation requirements during this academic year are also eligible.

A committee consisting of the MPA Director, the MPA Academic Advisor, one MPA alumnus/alumna, a representative of the International Fellowship Programs, and Estelle Brouwer (Gary’s widow) will select the recipient of this award. The award carries a $500 prize.

The nominator must submit a completed nomination form describing how the nominee represents the following characteristics in their work and family:

• demonstrates commitment to the marginalized in seeking program/policy change for the common good;
• record of public leadership and service for the common good in the nonprofit, business, government, and/or community arenas. Ideally, it would span two or more sectors;
• demonstrates authentic compassion in their treatment of others;
• displays the ability to listen respectfully, reflect deeply, and counsel wisely;
• remains balanced in their dedication to both family and the greater community;
• delights in diversity;
• successful in building bridges across cultures and regions;
• integrates spirituality into a holistic approach to service and to life.

Also, please attach a resume or link to the nominee's LinkedIn page.

You may nominate yourself or a colleague. Faculty are also welcome to submit nominations. Nominating materials may be sent to [email protected]

Instructor of the Year Award

The Instructor of the Year Award is given to the best teacher of a public affairs course. Eligibility includes instructors who taught 6 or more credits during Spring, Summer, and Fall terms.

Students vote for the best instructor of those eligible for the award during the past terms. A combination of votes and course evaluations are used to determining the winner. There are no nominations for this award.

The recipient of the award will be announced at the end of the year. The winner receives a $1,000 prize.

Lukermann Award 

The Lukermann Award honors Senior Fellow Emerita Barbara Lukermann who passed away in 2009. It is given to an outstanding planning student who exhibits exceptional service.

This award is decided by a MURP faculty committee and awarded at the spring banquet. The winner receives a $500 prize. There is no nomination for this award, as all second-year MURP students are eligible.

Required Course Instructor of the Year

The Required Course Instructor of the Year Award is given to the best teacher of a required public affairs course. The winner of this award is determined by course evaluations. There are no nominations or voting for this award.

The recipient of the award will be announced at the end of the academic year. The winner receives a $1,000 prize.

Student Leadership Award

The student leadership award is given to the member of the graduating class who, in the opinion of their classmates, has demonstrated the most significant leadership initiative during their time at the Humphrey School.

Only graduating students are eligible for this award and only graduating students are allowed to vote. The award is announced at the end of the academic year. The winner also will receive a $500 prize.

TA of the Year

The Teaching Assistant of the Year Award is given to the best TA in a public affairs course. 

Students vote for the best TA from a list of all of the TAs for the current academic year. There are no nominations for this award.

The recipient of the award will be announced at the end of the academic year. The winner will receive a $500 prize.

Edward A. Burdick Legislative Award

To recognize an outstanding student graduating from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs for his or her exceptional work that exemplifies bipartisanship or forging bipartisan relationships in public policy or legislation in Minnesota.

The Edward A. Burdick Legislative Award was created by Dr. Patrick Mendis, who received his MA from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs in 1986 and a Ph.D from the University of Minnesota in 1989. He knew Edward Burdick as a friend and mentor for more than a quarter century, and they became a “family.” Burdick was the consummate public servant, a sixty-year legendary employee of the Minnesota House of Representatives who was elected unanimously by Democratic and Republican legislators to serve the last thirty-eight years as the Chief Clerk and Parliamentarian before his retirement in 2005.

To be considered for the award, the nominee must be a graduating Humphrey School student.

The award and a prize of $500 will be given at the end of the academic year.

The nominator must submit:

• A 500-word personal statement describing nominee's exceptional work that exemplifies bipartisanship or forging bipartisanship in public policy or legislation in Minnesota.
• Letters of support from two individuals who are familiar with the nominee's background and commitment to bipartisanship in public policy and/or the Minnesota Legislature. The letters should address the following:
  • In what ways has this nominee exemplified the spirit of bipartisanship demonstrated by Chief Clerk and Parliamentarian Edward A Burdick?
  • What are some specific examples where the nominee has fostered bipartisanship or demonstrated bipartisanship in her or his own right?
  • How did this spirit of bipartisanship help advance public policy or problem solving in Minnesota?

Please feel free to nominate yourself or a colleague. Faculty are also welcome to nominate students. Nominating materials may be e-mailed to [email protected] or sent to: Humphrey Career and Student Success, 280 Humphrey School, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455 

Diversity Paper Award

Each year the Humphrey School Equity and Inclusion Council co-chairs will present an award to challenge Humphrey School graduate students to excel in working on equity and inclusion-related public policy issues. 

The award will be given to a graduating student who has demonstrated the highest level of excellence in a professional or capstone paper on a topic related to public policy issues affecting diverse populations in the United States or globally. The paper should address equity and inclusion with respect to populations that have been marginalized because of their ethnicity/race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or another characteristic. 

Students who have not submitted it for an award in previous years are eligible.

The paper is rated on the following criteria:

• Addresses an important policy issue related to diversity
• Demonstrates high-quality writing
• Demonstrates high-quality research and analysis of the issue
• Demonstrates creativity and originality of thought
• Contributes to public policy

Nominations are made by faculty members who advise individual papers or group projects. Papers will be judged by a committee consisting of the two EIC co-chairs, and one staff member. A $500 award is given at the end of the academic year.

Please electronically submit an abstract of no more than one page on the first or second page of the paper to your paper or capstone supervisor. The supervising faculty member will then electronically submit the paper, abstract, and letter of nomination to the Humphrey Career and Student Success Office at [email protected].

Robert Einsweiler Award

The Robert C. Einsweiler Award is given for the best paper or project in planning that demonstrates intellectual insight and creativity in consideration of the political environment. Attention to the political environment includes consideration of the competing interests, values, and perspectives inherent in planning decision-making. Insight and creativity relative to these issues might reveal innovations in plans, policies, processes, engagement, communication, and other planning activities.

Members of the planning faculty nominate student papers for this award, which is decided by the planning faculty and awarded at the end of the academic year. The winner receives a $500 prize for this award.

Please submit a copy of the paper and a brief statement about why the paper or project represents important work and the qualities that led you to nominate it for the award. The brief statement and paper should be submitted electronically to the Humphrey Career and Student Success Office ([email protected]).

Award for Excellence in Global Policy

The Award for Excellence in Global Policy is given to the Humphrey student or group of students who has demonstrated the greatest achievement in the field of global affairs. 

The purpose of this award is to challenge Humphrey School graduate students to excel in international activities. To that end, the Global Policy Area offers a $500 award to a student or group of students who achieve excellence in international activities during their program at the Humphrey School. This award may be given for the following kinds of activities:

• Institutional innovation at the Humphrey School that helps strengthen the School's global programs
• A professional paper or capstone project that addresses an international problem;
• A paper done as a part of coursework in the School or done independently of formal course work; or
• Fieldwork done in an internship as part of the student’s regular degree program.

The criteria for evaluating the submissions include (1) academic rigor, (2) institutional innovation, (3) creativity, (4) contribution to policy design and implementation, and (5) contribution to the Humphrey School and its programs. Nominations for the award must be made by the advisor to the student or group of students, with a brief, one-page statement of support.

A student or group of students must be nominated by their faculty advisor, or by a paper or capstone instructor or advisor. Students or groups are encouraged to suggest their work to their advisors for possible submission. Advisors can submit more than one nomination.

Awards may be given to two or more students or groups of students. An award will not be given if a nomination of exceptional quality is not forthcoming. The decision of those judging the awards will be final.

Please email nominations to [email protected].

Gross Family Management and Leadership Awards

The Gross Family Management and Leadership Awards single out the best individual and team papers focused on management, leadership, or public service delivery in public or nonprofit organizations or networks. Papers demonstrate creativity and originality of thought and rigorous analysis.

Students who completed their papers or projects and who have graduated or will graduate are eligible for this award. There is one prize for an individual paper and one prize for a group paper.

Papers must meet the following criteria:

• Addresses a significant issue in the management and leadership of nonprofits, philanthropy, public agencies, and/or collaborations 
• Demonstrates high-quality research and analysis of the issue (within the parameters of the course in which the paper was submitted, where appropriate) 
• Presents sound recommendations for action
• Demonstrates creativity and originality of thought 

Nominations may be made by faculty members, students, and fellows. Self nominations are encouraged.

A letter of nomination describing how the paper meets the above criteria is required. The letter of nomination and the paper should be submitted electronically to the Humphrey Career and Student Success Office ([email protected]).

Jernberg Award

The Jernberg Award recognizes the student, faculty member, or staff member who has most contributed to the improvement of student life in the past year. Individuals or groups can be nominated.

This award is presented at end of the academic year. The winner(s) also receive a prize up to $2,500. Students will nominate and vote by online ballot for the Jernberg Award.

MPA Leadership Paper Award

The MPA Leadership Paper Award is awarded to the best individual Action Learning Project (ALP) paper presented by MPA cohort students who completed their papers in May, for project periods covering the entire cohort year (August – May). The award will be presented to the student with the winning paper at an appropriate ceremony. This paper must highlight the student’s awareness of personal leadership growth and assessment of leadership capacity, while integrating key concepts from course readings, lectures, discussions, written assignments, and insights from their Action Learning Circle.

Papers will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Provides overview of the context and issues related to leadership growth opportunity in the nonprofit, philanthropic, or public sector where collaboration is required. Includes articulation of project goals, their motivation and passion for this work, and their leadership development opportunity;
• Demonstrates in-depth analysis of positive and negative developments in the project and their part in the events, including analysis of what worked and what didn't work;
• Presents analysis of and reflection on personal leadership development. What did they learn about their leadership? What strengths and liabilities are they becoming aware of? What elements of their project will they move forward and why? Or if they will not continue with their project, why not?
• Integrates key concepts from course materials;
• Presents a professional, well-organized paper with an effective writing style and sound mechanics (spelling, grammatical, citation, etc).

Selection will be made by MPA cohort faculty members. The paper should be submitted electronically to Humphrey Career and Student Success Office ([email protected]).  A brief letter of nomination accompanying the paper will be helpful to the selection committee.

MPA Research Award

The MPA Research Award is given for outstanding performance in research methods and analysis. Two of the languages used in public affairs are qualitative and quantitative data reasoning. This year, MPA students have learned about how to formulate research questions to inform policy and professional interests; useful sources of relevant data; methods of data collection and extraction; empirical analysis including deductive and inductive analysis using both interpretive and statistical techniques; and ethical issues in data collection, interpretation, analysis, and use.  This award is given to an MPA student who excels in both their qualitative and quantitative research projects completed this cohort year (August to May).

Students will be evaluated using the following criteria. They will have:

• Articulated clear qualitative and quantitative research questions;
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of data collection and extraction methods for both qualitative and quantitative data;
• Described clearly the interpretive and statistical techniques used in both projects; 
• Interpreted findings from their analysis in both projects; 
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking skills through discussions of the limitations of their analyses;
• Presented a professional, well-organized research product with an effective writing style and sound mechanics (spelling, grammatical, citation, etc).

Selection will be made by MPA cohort faculty members. All MPA cohort members completing both qualitative and quantitative methods will be considered for this award. No separate nomination is required, either by students or faculty. 

Lloyd B. Short Award

The Lloyd B. Short Award is given for the individual professional paper or the group capstone project judged to be the best of the year. The late Professor Lloyd B. Short, the first director of the Public Administration Center at the University of Minnesota, left an endowment to the Humphrey School to recognize the work of its students.

Students who completed their papers or projects and have graduated or will graduate this year are eligible for this award.

Nominations are made by faculty members or fellows who advise individual papers or group projects. Each faculty member or fellow may nominate no more than one paper.

Papers are judged by a faculty committee for strength of writing and analysis and importance of the problem addressed. A $500 award is given at the end of the academic year. 

Please submit a copy of the paper and a brief statement about why the paper or project represents important work and the qualities that led you to nominate it for the award. Required materials should be submitted electronically to the Humphrey Career and Student Success Office at [email protected].

Student Speaker

The Student Speaker receives the honor of delivering the commencement address. Only graduating students are eligible to be the speaker, and only graduating students are allowed to vote for the student speaker.

Note: For the 2021 commencement, each degree program will select a graduating student to speak at graduation on behalf of the program.