East Lansing Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports East Lansing Public Schools in a variety of ways. (ELi file photo)

ELEF Awards are Chance to Honor Alumni, Educators and Community Members

The East Lansing Educational Foundation (ELEF) recently announced it is seeking nominations for its annual awards to be presented in May 2024 during a celebration and fundraiser event. These awards, which recognize service or achievement, include several for alumni and community members as well as one for employees of ELPS.

As a nonprofit organization focused on serving the ELPS district, the ELEF sponsors several scholarships and grants for students and teachers, respectively. The foundation also holds a variety of events throughout the year, including a golf outing, tailgate party and the Sarah Tarpoff Creative Writing Awards. It will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024.

In December 2022, ELEF President Julie Thomas-Beckett (left) presented a grant to Red Cedar Elementary teacher Gavri Yares for the World Music Drumming Program. They were joined by other ELEF board members and ELPS staff. (Courtesy photo)

ELEF is accepting nominations until Aug. 4 for the annual awards. Community members interested in nominating an alumni or other ELPS community member are asked to fill out a form, provided by ELEF at its website.

“Each year, ELEF hosts a celebration of its mission,” ELEF president Julie Thomas-Beckett said in a press release. ”And part of that celebration is the honoring of people whose commitment to East Lansing Public Schools has made a difference.”

The last awards celebration was held in September 2022.

Two separate awards are presented to ELPS alumni: the Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Alumni Honor Roll awards. Both require a majority of the nominee’s K-12 education to be in the ELPS district, as well as achievement and service. Nominees do not need to be a graduate of the district. The awards also specify setting an example for or being an inspiration to current ELPS students.

The only distinction between the two awards is that the Distinguished Alumni Award requires “professional distinction” on a national or even international level.

A more general ELEF Award requires a record of service at ELPS or with the ELEF and can go to anyone fulfilling this requirement. Another general award is the Theda Assiff Award for Distinguished Community Service, which is given for “ongoing, consistent and outstanding” service within the local community. Assiff was a well-known local dance teacher and life-long patron of the arts who recently died at age 97.

The remaining two awards are given to former educators or staff members and include the Spartan Village G.L.O.B.A.L. Education Award and the Excellence in Education Award.

The Spartan Village G.L.O.B.A.L. Education Award is presented to educators who fit several criteria, including fostering family participation in education and community, preparing children for life in a global society, collaborates effectively with colleagues, and celebrates diversity of “an international population.

The Excellence in Education Award is presented to all recent ELPS retirees and does not require nomination.

The nomination form is one page and asks for contact information of the nominator and nominee. Nominators are asked to check which award they are nominating someone for and attach a letter of nomination, as well as supporting documents. Documents that can be submitted include newspaper clips and documents and additional letters that support the nomination.