Regardless of the plans – chaste or slightly less so – you may have for Veishea, during the celebration, the Veishea committee will honor individuals who serve the ISU community.

As in previous years, the 2007 Veishea celebration will utilize the week to showcase outstanding persons involved with the university. Awards and recognition will go out to those in the categories of Faculty/Staff/Secretary, Family of the Year and Outstanding Student Leadership.

Andrew Isaacson, Veishea special events co-chairman and junior in agricultural business, is overseeing the Faculty/Staff/Secretary and Outstanding Student Leadership events.

Within the Faculty/Staff/Secretary category, ISU students are able to go online – a first for Veishea – and nominate a faculty member from each college. The nominee with the most votes from each college will be recognized, Isaacson said. Students can also nominate any staff member or secretary, one of each will be chosen.

The winners will be honored April 18 and will be given the opportunity to be in the Veishea parade the following weekend.

The ballot for voting can be found at Veishea.iastate.edu. The voting will be open until Feb. 23.

Individual work by the nominee is required for the Outstanding Student Leadership Award. After being selected by an individual or group on campus, the nominee must then fill out an application and attach a resume and letter of recommendation.

“The award is given to outstanding leaders throughout campus who exemplify commitment to their organization and have exceptional leadership skills,” Isaacson said.

The applications will be reviewed anonymously by a panel of three staff members, and 10 people will be chosen. Ten people are recognized for this award on April 17 Isaacson said. There will also be a special float available for the winner during the Veishea parade.

The application can be found in the West Student Office Space of the Memorial Union, or online. They are due March 2.

During Veishea 2006, the Family of the Year award was something of an afterthought.

“Last year the Veishea Family of the Year was the same as the Homecoming Family of the Year because they forgot to do it,” said Malea Davis, Veishea dignitary co-chairwoman and senior in management.

But plans are already underway to honor Veishea’s very own winning family in 2007.

“We’re focusing more on how Veishea has impacted the family,” Davis said.

E-mails have been sent out to alumni and applications are available online, Davis said. Having students currently at Iowa State is not a requirement.