The Annuit Coeptis Award honors five emerging professionals at a dinner where there can be wide-ranging discussion and exchange about professional issues. These awards were created by ACPA (College Student Educators International) to celebrate the lives of Philip A. Tripp, Ursula Delworth, and Cynthia Johnson who dearly loved to challenge their contemporary and junior colleagues in a spirit of personal and professional sharing, good humor, and intellectual debate. The Latin phrase annuit coeptis reflects Professor Tripp's optimism for the future by suggesting that “He has smiled upon that which we have begun.” Started in 1979, this annual award honors up to three senior professionals and up to five emerging professionals at a dinner where they can engage in lively and thoughtful discussions about professional issues.

Nomination Instructions

To nominate a colleague for the Emerging Professional, please submit the nominee's current resume and at least one nomination letter explaining how the person meets the criteria listed below. Nominating materials must be received no later than 1 November 2019. Please send all nominating materials by email attachment to Tony Cawthon at cawthot@clemson.edu. If you do not receive an acknowledgement of the receipt of your nomination within 48 hours, please send a follow up email requesting verification.

Recipients must plan to attend the 2020 ACPA Annual Convention in Nashville, TN (March 2-5, 2020) and be available to share dinner with the other award recipients (traditionally on the second evening of the conference). Anyone who is nominated but unable to attend the conference and dinner may be considered for nomination in 2021.

Criteria for Emerging Professionals

No more than five years of full-time professional experience since completion of a master’s or doctoral degree. Current doctoral students are eligible if they have worked no more than five years between receipt of their master’s degree and commencing their doctoral program.
Evidence of the potential for significant contribution to the field of student affairs in at least one of the following areas: (a) administrative service or teaching; (b) research or publication; (c) professional association service; and (d) leadership.
Three of the five emerging professionals selected will be recent master’s graduates.

If you have any questions, please write to Tony Cawthon at cawthot@clemson.edu.