Various entities can make nominations.
The committee is made up of faculty members, students, staff members and former students who generously give valuable time to consider the nominations. They base their selections on the material presented in the dossiers, which consist of letters of nomination, a resume and letters of support from colleagues and students. Each year after an intense review at earlier levels, approximately 100 nominations reach the University committee. This award is to recognize, encourage, and reward those individuals whose research efforts have been particularly successful and outstanding. These efforts are recognized locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.