J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service
The J.B. Speer Award for Distinguished Administrative Service honors a non-academic department administrator who has made an extraordinary commitment and contribution to the University of Montana. This award comes with a monetary prize.
Who is eligible:
- Non-academic administrative employees (staff members, contract professionals, administrators or employees on a letter of appointment) who have served UM for five years or longer.
- Eligible UM departments include, but are not limited to: Adams Center, Admissions, the Budget, Planning & Analysis Office, Business Services, Data Office (Institutional Research), Enrollment Scholarship and UMPD.
- Nominations for the president, provost or associate provosts, deans, academic program leaders, faculty and other academic administrators will not be considered.
Who may nominate:
Any member of the University community.
Nomination requirements:
- Nomination form (link below)
- Nomination letter of two pages or less summarizing the individual's qualifications for the award
- Supporting documentation, including list of activities or accomplishments, letters from colleagues, or other statements describing the individual's contributions to the University
Selection process:
Selection is made by a committee appointed by the University of Montana President.
Submit nomination using Submittable:
Questions:
Maggie Hansing
Office of the President
109 University Hall
About J.B. Speer:
James Beryl Speer (1883-1957) was born in Branch County Michigan. After finishing high school, he attended a private business college. In 1905, he moved to Montana to attend Montana State University (now known as The University of Montana-Missoula) and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1908. During his time as a student, Speer worked as an assistant to multiple university presidents. In fact, University President Oscar J. Craig’s last official act as president was to write a recommendation for Speer. In 1909, Speer was appointed Acting Registrar and then served as Registrar from 1910-1912. Speer attended Stanford University Law School from 1912-1913 and then transferred to the University of Michigan Law School (where he received his L.L.B. in 1916). Speer returned to the University of Montana-Missoula in 1918 to again serve as Registrar, before being named Business Manager in 1920 and then Controller in 1945. Speer was also a professor in the School of Business Administration between 1927 and 1940. He served as controller until his retirement in 1953.