The new DAR Excellence Awards celebrate staff members whose work strengthens Rice University’s mission and exemplifies DAR’s core values of Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence. Launching this year, the awards honor both individual achievement and transformative teamwork — reinforcing a culture of recognition, mentorship, and cross-unit collaboration across the division.

Award Categories

• Individual DAR Excellence Awards: Up to 4 honorees will be selected annually to receive a $1,000 after-tax cash prize. 
• Kelly Quin Team Excellence Award: One team will receive a recognition experience — such as a group outing or celebration — funded by the Kelly Quin

These awards honor the memory of our colleague and leader Kelly Quin, whose commitment to excellence, mentorship and community continues to inspire DAR. They are generously funded by the late Russ Pitman, one of Rice’s most dedicated donors and friends.

Nominations must be received by May 29. All Rice staff, faculty, administrators, students and affiliates are invited to nominate a DAR staff member or team. Selected honorees will be announced during the summer DAR division meeting. 

Please see award guidelines for more information.