News

Suri receives award for outreach efforts

The Wisconsin Alumni Association announced Monday University of Wisconsin history professor Jeremi Suri won an award for his efforts in connecting with alumni.

Suri won the 4th annual Ken and Linda Ciriacks Faculty Outreach Excellence Award of $2,500 for his role in multiple programs that target alumni to further their education and keep them involved in campus life.

According to Sarah Schutt, WAA senior director of alumni education, Suri is this year’s winner because of the variety of work he has done.

She added alumni outreach programs are important to many graduates because they want to stay involved in their university and continue their education.

“It is their way to stay connected to the one thing they have in common — their degree,” Schutt said.

Suri said he is honored to receive the award, but added it is not the reason he participates in so many outreach programs.

“I’m in this business because I want to change the world,” Suri said. “It does take a lot of extra time, but I have to say it’s a labor of love. I do it because it’s fun.”

He added though the programs do create more work for him, he believes his experiences have not interfered with his ability to fulfill his responsibilities to his students.

“I see them as interrelated; I think I’m a better teacher because I’m in touch with the world. I’m a better scholar because I’m in touch with the world,” Suri said.

Suri said he encourages more people to participate in outreach programs because they are fun and they show the university takes the Wisconsin Idea very seriously.

“To me, it means the university is producing the best research and education and bringing that to the state and the nation as a whole,” Suri said.

According to Suri, UW benefits from outreach efforts because it means listening to things other people have to say, in addition to presenting the ideas coming from the university, saying, “it’s that communication both ways.”

Schutt said the award is named after Ken and Linda Ciriacks, very active alumni who have endowed the award, making it possible to give the award annually.

UW journalism professor James Baughman was the first winner of the award in 2005. Robin Shepard, UW vice chancellor for community and economic development, and David McDonald, UW history department chair, have also received the award.

Suri is scheduled to accept the award at a ceremony held by the Chicago WAA May 1.