May 24, 2011 — From bringing homemade snacks for students and officemates to promoting alternative modes of transportation around Grounds, the 2011 Leonard W. Sandridge Outstanding Contribution Award winners add touches of home to the workplace and student life while streamlining bureaucracy and furthering the University's mission.

Recognized with the highest honors given to staff, the 11 award recipients "live their jobs," as one nominator wrote, by helping students in need, mentoring their co-workers and making innovative changes to improve their offices' outreach to the University community and beyond. One of the employees even traveled to South Africa and Brazil to set up grant-funded programs – after she wrote the successful grant proposals.

The 11 honorees were recognized May 18 at the Service Awards Day reception in the John Paul Jones Arena, along with employees with 10, 15 and 20 years of service. The award-winners also are invited to a June 10 luncheon with the Board of Visitors, where each will receive a $1,000 check and an engraved gift.

Every year, U.Va. Human Resources appoints a committee to choose five outstanding employees from the Academic Division, while a Health System committee chooses five in the Medical Center, from a large group of nominees. In addition, U.Va.'s College at Wise chooses a winner from its staff.

In the coming days, UVA Today will profile all 11 of the winners.