Shirley Bird Perry Staff-Driven Program of the Year

The Shirley Bird Perry Staff-Driven Program of the Year recognizes an innovative and impactful program implemented primarily by staff on campus. For their contributions to student learning and advancing campus community through programming excellence, the institution will receive up to $1,000 towards ACUI membership dues to continue to be a leader in the profession.

2024 Recipient: Rochester Traditions, University of Rochester

Organized by Wilson Commons Student Activities staff and the Office of Alumni Relations, Rochester Traditions celebrates shared experiences across generations. Rochester Traditions events span the entire school year and are deeply rooted in campus history, bringing students and alumni together for over 90 years. Event attendees have also shared that Rochester Traditions keeps them connected to the larger campus community, helps them expand their bubble and meet new people, and lets them feel like they are part of something bigger. 

Nominations for this award are now closed. The nomination period for awards given at the 2026 Annual Conference will open in April 2025.

Submission materials must include the following:

Name, institution, and contact information of the primary contact for the program.
Title of the program.
A summary, up to two pages, of the program, addressing:
- Description of the program, including goals and intended outcomes.
- Description and inclusion of the evaluation methods in place for the program, including brief rationale for choosing stated methods.
- Evidence that the program meets the criteria identified for this specific award.
And one compiled packet of additional supporting documentation for the program, which could include photos, marketing samples, course materials, budget information, testimonials, etc. No page limit exists, but only the first 15 pages will be considered by the review committee.

The review process includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of these criteria:

Demonstrate excellence in campus programming.
Demonstrate the use of practices that exemplify outstanding creativity or introduce new approaches beyond what is standard.
Achieve its stated intended outcomes.

Due to the wide variety of programs that can be considered, a program does not need to meet every criterion.

All ACUI member institutions are eligible to apply for this award. For collaborative initiatives or partnerships, all institutions must be ACUI members. Eligible programs must:

Have taken place since the beginning of the previous academic year.
Serve as a model to other campuses for replication.
Achieve its stated program outcomes and objectives, with evaluation tools in place.
Agree to allow a summary of their accomplishments to be published.

Electronic notification will be sent to confirm submissions have been received. A confidential Campus Awards Committee, appointed annually by the ACUI president, will review materials to make the selection. One recipient will be chosen, unless otherwise noted for the specific award. One physical award will be given to the recipient, who will be recognized during the awards ceremony at the annual conference and in subsequent publications.

2023: Men of Color Summit, Binghamton University
2022: University of Utah’s Union Scholarship Program
2021: #MorrisMission – University of Minnesota–Morris
2020: Gobblerfest – Virginia Tech
2019: Student Engagement Response Team – University of Colorado–Boulder
2018: LBJ Student Center’s Hogwarts’ Halloween – Texas State University
2017: Bearcat Recognition Initiatives – Binghamton University
2016: Identities@Eastman – Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester
2015: My FSU Experience Campaign – Florida State University

2014: Social Media & Digital Identity Workshops – Virginia Tech
2013: The Power of Words – University of Colorado
2012: Color Me NKU – Northern Kentucky University
2011: First 30 Days Program – The Ohio State University
2010: ACUI Region 1 Mentoring Program – Central Connecticut State University
2008: Geneseo Late Knight – SUNY–Geneseo

About Shirley Bird Perry

Shirley Bird Perry served as the first woman president of ACUI in 1972, but as important was her legacy at the University Union at the University of Texas–Austin. According to a plaque in the Shirley Bird Perry Ballroom at the University Union, “In the 80-year existence of a student union at the University of Texas–Austin, no name looms larger than that of Shirley Bird Perry. From her involvement as an undergraduate student through her service as director of the Texas Union, no single individual has had as much of an impact on the college union movement on our campus as did Shirley Bird.”

Perry’s list of “firsts” within the Association is impressive. She became the Association’s first educational program coordinator in 1976, a role that many future leaders would hold after her. She also was the first woman Butts-Whiting Award recipient in 1976. But Perry is perhaps best remembered for the spirit of innovation and advancement with which she led on campus and in the Association. She was known for rewarding creativity and new ideas and in holding people accountable to their commitments.