Chancellor’s Colonel Rowan Award for Execution

The Rowan Award is based on the story “A Message to Garcia” by Elbert Hubbard. It recalls President William McKinley’s need to get an urgent message to Gen. Calixto Garcia, who in 1899 was leading an insurgent force against Spanish troops in Cuba. However, Garcia was deep in the mountains of Cuba and no one was sure of his exact location. So, the president summoned Col. Andrew Rowan, and gave him a sealed pouch and one simple command: “Get that message to Garcia.” Four days later, Rowan reached shore in Cuba, and three weeks later he emerged from the jungle having successfully delivered the message to Garcia. Col. Rowan did not procrastinate, he simply executed the task he was given.

The nominee should demonstrate the following qualities:

1. Accomplishes an objective quickly and efficiently with minimal oversight
2. Accepts clearly communicated assignments with minimal instructions
3. Asks the right questions first so they can seek precise answers
4. Prepares plans with goals, milestones and deadlines
5. Is not afraid to ask for resources or help when needed
6. Reports back and shows work
7. Under promises and over delivers

Nominate an Employee

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Award Details

Eligibility Criteria

All full-time employees, excluding members of the Administrative Council and members of the faculty, are eligible to be nominated for the Chancellor’s Award. To be considered for the award, a staff member must have been employed full time (40 hours per week) at ASU for at least one continuous year. Previous award recipients are not eligible to win more than once.

Nomination Process

Any full-time employee, regardless of position or classification, may nominate another full-time employee, excluding members of the faculty and university leadership. No member of the Selection Committee shall be eligible to make a nomination. If a member of the Selection Committee is nominated, he/she must recuse him/herself from the committee. 

Selection Process

A four-member selection committee will be appointed by the Staff Senate. The Chair of the Staff Senate or an appointed Staff Senate Representative will oversee the committee and administer the scoring rubric.

Award Presentation

Recipients will be recognized for their achievements during the University Awards ceremony. The awards will be publicized in appropriate campus and off-campus media.

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