Want to read his blog?

http://user-assistance.blogspot.com

What is the Rainey Award About?

The recipients of the first annual Ken Rainey Inspiration Award will be decided during January.

Board member Dr. Michael Hughes sat for an interview with the communication committee and provided some background information about the award.

TCAB: How did you come to know Dr. Rainey?

Dr. MH: Dr. Rainey was my first instructor as SPSU. I took his Graphics in Technical Communications course.

TCAB: Did you work closely with Dr. Rainey at SPSU?

Dr. MH: I took several courses as a student with Ken, and I taught on the SPSU staff with him.

TCAB: How did Dr. Rainey’s tenure at SPSU affect the development of the technical communication program?

Dr. MH: Ken helped define the program and build many of the core curriculum courses. Ken’s interest in linguistics gave the program a communications emphasis.

TCAB: What is the background behind the Ken and Elaine Rainey Inspiration Award?

Dr. MH: The TCAB wanted a way to commemorate Ken after his retirement and untimely death. We thought that an award that recognized excellent portfolio and graduate projects would be fitting.

TCAB: How is the Ken and Elaine Rainey Inspiration Award funded?

Dr. MH: The Technical Communication Advisory Board provides $500 a year divided equally between the undergraduate (portfolio) and graduate project award.

TCAB: What is the purpose of the Ken Rainey Inspiration Award?

Dr. MH: The purpose of the Ken Rainey Inspiration Award is to recognize students in the Technical Communication program at Southern Polytechnic State University who exemplify standards of information design and development.

TCAB: May all students participate?

Dr. MH: Two instances of the award are given each year:

One to the undergraduate student whose portfolio has been nominated by the portfolio instructor(s) is judged the best by members of the Technical Communication Advisory Board.

One to the graduate student or team of graduate students whose class project has been nominated by a faculty member and is judged the best project for that year by members of the Technical Communication Advisory Board.

In each instance the award is a check for $250.00

TCAB: Would you describe the graduate award?

Dr. MH: In the Fall Semester of each academic year, faculty nominate student’s whose project in any of that faculty’s course for the previous year are deemed exemplary. The faculty member should submit the students name, the course title, course date (semester/year), and a brief identification of the project to the award coordinator. Deadline for nominees should be the grades due date for that semester.

The award coordinator notifies each nominee by sending a form of the letter shown below,

TCAB: How are the graduate submissions judged?

Dr. MH: The TCAB chairperson for the Ken Rainey Inspiration Award recruits a judging panel from the TCAB members. This panel reviews the nominees and reaches a decision by whatever process they choose. Should the panel not be able to reach a final consensus, the chairperson makes the final selection.

TCAB: How about the undergraduates?

Dr. MH: At the conclusion of the portfolio class each Spring semester, the portfolio advisors nominate those portfolios that they deem are exemplary. The judging criteria for portfolios should be suggested by the portfolio advisors. The TCAB chairperson for the Ken Rainey Inspiration Award recruits a judging panel from the TCAB members. This panel reviews the nominees and reaches a decision by whatever process they choose. Should the panel not be able to reach a final consensus, the chairperson makes the final selection.

TCAB: This is a great opportunity for students of Technical Communication! Dr. Hughes, thank you for taking time to sit for the interview and describe the award.

Dr. MH: You’re very welcome.