You can nominate someone for the Society for Technical Communication’s Ken Rainey Award for Excellence in Research with a simple email. This award honors the career of Ken Rainey, a Professor at Southern Polytechnic State University and an STC Fellow, by rewarding research that has made positive, significant contributions to technical communication practice and teaching.

 One award will be given each year to an STC member who has made a positive difference to practice or teaching in the field of technical communication from conducting a lifetime of quality research in the field or from completing a single high-quality empirical study or a set of related high-quality studies (longevity in the field is not a criterion for the second qualification). Specifically, the researcher must have accomplished the following:

 • Identified one or more problems of clear and compelling relevance to practitioners and/or academics.

 • Developed a quality research design, including an appropriate match between methods and the focus and purpose of the inquiry.

 • Relied upon sound methods for data collection and data analysis.

 • Applied appropriate measures to ensure ethical protection of the study’s participants.

 • Reported results in ways that have influenced or have promise to influence practice, theory, or teaching in the field.

 • Demonstrated positive impact on the field.

 To nominate someone, simply email Angela Eaton at Angela_eaton@ttu.edu his or her name (and email address if you have it) by February 2nd. Self-nominations are allowed. Nominees must be a current member of the STC for one year prior to nomination. STC members are eligible regardless of other STC honors or awards previously received. Current members of the Ken Rainey Award for Excellence in Research Committee, STC Research Grants Committee, and STC elected board are not eligible to be nominated for this award. This award will not be given twice to the same person. Do not worry if you are unsure whether your candidate fulfills the criteria in this pararaph; the committee will ensure eligibility before issuing the invitation to the nominee.

 After receiving nominations, the Award committee will invite the nominees to turn in an application packet of a current CV, three to five letters of recommendation, and supporting materials by February 28th. Full details at http://www.stc.org/recog/awards01_kenRainey.asp

The 2010 STC elections run from March 9 through April 8. Take the time now to learn about our candidates, especially our own Academic SIG member & Membership Manager Makarand (Mak) Pandit. Mak is running for a Director position with STC. See our elections page for more information. For information about the 2010 candidates, visit the STC’s election web site. Coming soon — Information about voting guidelines, candidate bios, and a link to the STC voting site.

 Attention: STC student members (& their teachers and mentors!)

November 1 is the deadline for students to apply to Sigma Tau Chi or Alpha Sigma, STC’s honorary societies.

The STC website has a Word file with the application form (linked below). Completed applications and letters of recommendation must be e-mailed to me at dr.david.dayton@gmail.com.

Transcripts are mailed to the address in the application form: http://www.stc.org/recog/awards01_STX-AS.asp.

About the STC Student Honorary Societies

The Society for Technical Communication encourages qualified students to apply for membership in its honorary societies, Sigma Tau Chi and Alpha Sigma.

Sigma Tau Chi (STX) recognizes students enrolled in a baccalaureate or graduate technical communication program who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above, are exemplary participants in STC, and demonstrate the potential for significant contributions to the profession.

Alpha Sigma (AS) recognizes students enrolled in a two-year or certificate technical communication program who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above, are active participants in STC, and demonstrate the potential to contribute to the profession.

Applications to STX and AS are carefully reviewed and ranked by a committee consisting of three senior STC members (two industry practitioners and one academic practitioner). The committee makes its recommendations to the STC Board of Directors, which notifies the selected students after its January meeting. Students accepted into STX or AS receive one year’s membership in STC, a pin, and a T-shirt. 

Completed application forms and supporting documents should be e-mailed as attached Word or PDF files to David Dayton at dr.david.dayton@gmail.com no later than November 1.

By the same deadline, an official transcript must be mailed directly from the applicant’s school to the address in the application form.

If you have any questions about the application process, please e-mail them to David Dayton, Chair of the STC Honorary Societies Committee, at dr.david.dayton@gmail.com.

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