The real scoop on Academic Stars

We’re getting ready to launch our next round of Academic Stars and thought I’d offer up some behind-the-scenes details when it comes to the decision-making process.

First, here’s a little background on Academic Stars for the unfamiliar. We launched the campaign in 2008 to highlight impressive accomplishments within the college. Selected students, faculty and staff are featured on posters that have a Rolling Stone magazine cover theme. A corresponding story detailing their achievements is posted on our website at http://ascweb.unl.edu/achievements/academicstars.asp. The idea is that academic achievements are deserving of the same attention given to U2 or The Beatles.

Announcing our new stars, which we do three times a year, is one of my favorite things to do, but I’ll share that the selection is a very difficult process. There are so many great people to feature that it’s almost an embarrassment of riches.

We don’t have a set criteria list, but generally we’re looking for people who go above and beyond their job duties in transformational ways. These are people who do something so good, it’s almost not believable. For example, our first stars were Ken Price and Kay Walter, who lead our Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, which is among the best in the world in the field of digital scholarship. Ken and Kay are visionaries, and consummate scholars who saw the potential in the web and digital scholarship, much before other people did. They’re trailblazers.

In my selection, I also try to point to people who not only have the most impact, but different impacts. I aim to represent all aspects of the college. I also want to emphasize some of the things people know about mixed in with some things they may not know.

So keep an eye out for our coming announcement. I’d also encourage faculty, staff and students to visit the website and nominate someone. Tell us who you think deserves the spotlight next.