Dean to present annual awards for contributions to campus

A handful of students, faculty, staff and community members gathered Wednesday at the Indiana Memorial Union to receive thanks for their dedication to the University, specifically the Bloomington campus.\nThe Campus Life Division gives the awards to recognize outstanding contributions to campus by students, faculty, staff and community members. \nStaff within the Campus Life Division can make nominations; the awards have been given for 14 years.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig began the ceremony by attributing the success of the campus to the faculty and staff, like those who were receiving the awards.\nThe reception began with welcoming remarks from Dean of Students Richard McKaig, followed by a short buffet and the awards presentation.\n"It is accomplished primarily because we have the assistance of friends and colleagues around the campus who in so many ways contribute to the work we do," McKaig said. "... These awards have been created to take the time ... to say thank you to those individuals who have been significant in helping us develop our mission." \nA plaque commemorating the winners of the Dean's Awards was unveiled at the reception and will be displayed in Franklin Hall. McKaig said the award will recognize individuals on campus who have served the Dean of Students Office.\n"This plaque will permanently record all the individuals who have been recipients of these awards through the years and hopefully also remind us of the fine service that the individuals who have led this University have given to the students," McKaig said.\nBloomington Chancellor Kenneth Gros Louis said he was delighted to be presented with the Shoemaker Special Merit Award and honored McKaig and his staff as well.\n"I do want to say thank you very much to the staff, and I'd also like to say that I would stack Dean McKaig up against any other student dean in America, and I would put his staff up against any other university staff in America," Gros Louis said.\nSpecial recognition was given to Beverly Warren, director of the Student Advocates Office, for her upcoming retirement and to McKaig for his 30 years spent in the division. Other members were commemorated for their several years of service in the Campus Life Division. \nThe division consists of the Dean of Students, the Alcohol-Drug Information Center, the Career Development Center, the Development Office, Disabled Student Services, the Health Center, the IU Parents Association, Student Activities, Student Advocates, Student Ethics and Anti-Harassment Programs and Student Legal Services. \n"Campus Life Division is the 'umbrella organization,'" Assistant Dean of Students Suzanne Phillips said.