The Wisconsin Alumni Association has selected UW-Madison history professor Jeremi Suri as the 2008 recipient of the Ken and Linda Ciriacks Faculty Outreach Excellence Award.
The annual award recognizes UW-Madison faculty who support the Wisconsin Idea and WAA through outreach programs to alumni.
Outreach is about our taking ideas out to others, but also about us listening to what others have to say and bringing their ideas back to campus. It's a two-way street,"" Suri said.
Suri has been involved with the WAA for four years and was chosen among 100 faculty and staff who partake in some sort of outreach for the association.
""This year, Jeremi emerged as a clear winner,"" WAA spokesperson Kate Dixon said. ""He's got this exciting way of looking at history and he really has taken that Wisconsin Idea beyond the state.""
Suri is the author of three books and in 2007 was named among Smithsonian Magazine's ""37 Under 36: America's Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences."" He is currently teaching his second online alumni learning course and has been a featured speaker at UW-Madison alumni events in Wisconsin and nationwide.
""We have on campus people who are doing amazing teaching,"" Suri said. ""We have the chance to make what we do relevant to the larger state and the larger nation.""
The $2,500 award is partially named for Ken Ciriacks a 1958 UW-Madison graduate who was one of the most active alumni in WAA history.
Suri will be honored with the $2,500 award May 1 at a Founders' Day event hosted by the WAA Chicago Chapter.
