The 2014 President's Medal was awarded to Richard L. Goodall, the CEO of global manufacturer Dixon Valve and Coupling Company who spearheaded the creation of Kent Forward, a community initiative to support the local school system's drive for excellence.

Washington College welcomes nominations from the community for the President’s Medal, an annual award that recognizes meritorious service to the greater Kent County community and/or Washington College. The College is accepting nominations through December 4, 2015 and will honor the recipient at George Washington’s Birthday Convocation on Friday, February 19, 2016.

Also honored will be the recipients of the President’s Distinguished Service Awards, which recognize exceptional performance, leadership, and service by employees of Washington College.

With the President’s Medal, the College honors an individual or organization from the greater Kent County community who has established an exemplary record of sustained positive contribution to the quality of life in the region and/or at the College. The candidate’s career or organization’s work should be distinguished by service to their fellow human beings and reflect the ideals represented in the Washington College mission statement. In addition, a nominee should have at least five years of demonstrated service in a particular area.

Last year’s recipient of the President’s Medal was Nina Rodale Houghton, a champion for environmental stewardship, historic preservation, and education. Previous honorees include Dick Goodall and the Character Counts! program, Molly Judge, James Fouss, Richard Miller, Leslie Raimond, Ruth Briscoe, Nancy Dick, Chris Havemeyer, Jim Siemen, the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Department, the Kent Family Center, Tracey Davenport, Summer Days Math & Science Camp for Girls, Eileen Dickey, and Jane Hukill.

Nominations require a letter of recommendation, two or three seconding letters, and a resume or bio recounting the person or organization’s history and accomplishments. Complete criteria and nomination information are available here.

Completed nomination materials should be sent to: President’s Awards Advisory Committee, c/o President’s Office, Washington College, 300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620. The five-member President’s Awards Advisory Committee will review the nominees and make a recommendation to the President.

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards go to Washington College employees who have made distinctive contributions to the operation of an administrative, academic, research, or service unit on campus. They will have clearly demonstrated initiative toward the improvement of the College’s programs or campus activities and will have shown commitment to the campus community as a whole. Nominees can be any member of the faculty or staff who has been employed by Washington College for at least five years.

As many as five Distinguished Service Awards may be given each year. Here are past recipients and more details about the nomination process.