Skip to content

M. Edward Jones Engagement Award

2026 Nomination Form

Deadline: December 15, 2025

The M. Edward Jones Engagement Award was created to recognize an individual, group or project for excellence in leadership, commitment to quality, tireless service and dedication to lifelong learning in fulfilling the outreach mission of the University of Southern Indiana. Thanks to the generous investment of Dr. Ed Jones and Mrs. Cindy Brinker, the recipient will receive a $1,000 award.

Guidelines and Minimum Requirements
The USI Foundation acknowledges the intention of Cynthia S. Brinker and M. Edward Jones to provide awards in perpetuity for University of Southern Indiana employees, undergraduate or graduate students, or other University registered or recognized groups or projects who demonstrate leadership, commitment to quality, tireless service and dedication to lifelong learning in fulfilling the outreach mission of USI. This includes, but is not limited to, providing and facilitating quality educational, research, and technical services for people, groups and organizations that support and promote the well­being, social and cultural enrichment, economic opportunity and regional development. Recipients shall be selected by the University of Southern Indiana M. Edward Jones Engagement Award Committee in conjunction with the Division of Outreach and Engagement and Foundation Scholarships.

Eligibility
Eligibility for this award is based on the criteria established by the M. Edward Jones Engagement Award Committee in the Division of Outreach and Engagement and is open to:

  1. University of Southern Indiana employees, full-time undergraduate and graduate students, or other University registered groups or projects who demonstrate leadership, commitment to quality, tireless service and dedication to lifelong learning in fulfilling the outreach mission of USI. This includes, but is not limited to, providing and facilitating quality educational, research, and technical services for people, groups and organizations that support and promote the well-being, social and cultural enrichment, economic opportunity and regional development;
  2. Students receiving the award must be in good academic standing at the University of Southern Indiana;
  3. The award shall be issued annually and shall not be renewable;
  4. Recipients must be enrolled or employed or a registered or recognized group at the University of Southern Indiana in the academic year the selection for the award is made;
  5. The award shall be applied directly to a student's billing account for educational expenses including tuition, course fees, textbooks, and University room and board in accordance with University of Southern Indiana financial aid policies, issued to a faculty member as a stipend or issued to the University fiscal account of the recognized group;
  6. If the award recipient is a student and withdraws from the University of Southern Indiana prior to completion of the academic year in which the award is received, the full amount of the award shall not be paid to the recipient. The award amount shall be prorated in accordance with the payment guidelines stated in this agreement and the withdrawal and refund policies of the University of Southern Indiana.

Outreach and Engagement Mission:
USI Outreach and Engagement connects with the community, turning ideas into real opportunities. We are listeners, innovators, educators and collaborators who enhance bonds between community, government, businesses, organizations and individuals, responding to their needs and fostering learning and growth.

USI Mission:
USI is an engaged learning community committed to exceptional education. We exist to provide an educated citizenry that can engage in a civil manner within a community with divergent ideas and cultural differences. We prepare our students to lead and make positive contributions to our state, their communities, and to be lifetime learners in a diverse and global society.

Previous Recipients:
2015 - Dr. M. Edward Jones, Outreach and Engagement
2016 - Linda Cleek, Outreach and Engagement
2017 - Dr. Kathy Elpers, Social Work
2018 - Dr. Jeffery Seyler, Chemistry
2019 - Dr. Rick Hudson, Mathematics
2020 - Dr. Paul Kuban, Engineering
2021 - SwISTEM Resource Center
2022 - Dr. Kelly Sparks, Teacher Education
2023 - Charmaine McDowell, Outreach and Engagement
2024 - Jill Raisor, Teacher Education
2025 - Dr. Renee Frimming, Kinesiology and Sport Department