JOHN A. PALMER III
MEMORIAL AWARD

The John A. Palmer III Memorial Award for an outstanding adjunct was established in January 2010 in memory of John A. Palmer III, a long-term DCE adjunct member at Quinsigamond Community College. John chaired an MCCC DCE Bargaining Team, and cochaired another. He was a founding member of the DCE Adjunct Issues Committee and cochaird that as well.  John was also employed in the Worcester K-12 system, and served on the MTA Board of Directors.

Purpose

To recognize an adjunct MCCC member whose service, leadership, and dedication have contributed significantly to MCCC adjunct faculty, as exemplified by the life of John A. Palmer III. 

Recipients

Eligibility: To be eligible for this award, a past or present MCCC adjunct faculty member must meet the following criteria:

• Service to higher education adjunct faculty in the quest for improved working conditions and high standards of professional excellence;
• Demonstration of leadership in the Union and higher education, especially as it pertains to issues of importance to adjunct faculty;
• Exemplification of the concerned and caring approach of John A. Palmer III, who dedicated much of his life to the betterment of adjunct faculty. 

Nominations: Any MCCC member may nominate a candidate by completing a nomination form, which can be obtained from the MCCC web site. The deadline for submitting nominations is February 15. Nominations should be sent to the MCCC President. 

Selection of Finalists: The MCCC Executive Committee serves as a screening committee. The Executive Committee submits its recommendations for the award to the Board of Directors for approval. 

The Award: The John A. Palmer III Award is presented by the MCCC President or the President’s designee during the MCCC Delegate Assembly in a ceremony designed to place emphasis on the importance of the Award.