Herman Graves Award

Download Application Form

Considered the highest honor bestowed by the Illinois Principals Association, the Herman Graves Award was established in 1991 to recognize Herman for his outstanding service to the IPA. Herman was selected as the first honoree and the award was established because of the intrinsic contributions he made. Yes, Herman had been an officer at the regional level, was a director and served on the Executive Board, and for many years was a state standing committee chairman, but that was not the reason he was honored and an award established in his name. The real reason was that Herman Graves was known as “Mr. IPA” in Region VI and southern Illinois. He never passed up an opportunity to extol the virtues of IPA, whether he was addressing a recently appointed principal, a legislator, a district superintendent or any other individual whom he felt should be informed. He contacted the IPA office, leaders or whomever necessary on a regular basis to alert them to issues he felt were important to the health of the organization. Furthermore, he never contacted anyone without an offer to devote his own time and resources to attack the issue. His enthusiasm for the profession and for the association was always contagious to those around him.

• Membership in the Illinois Principals Association
• A minimum of 7 years of active service to the IPA
• An active, online principal or assistant principal at the time of regional and state selection
• Not a paid employee of the IPA at the time of nomination
• Demonstrates positive impact on education and advocacy for children
• An advocate and spokesperson for the IPA
• Longevity of membership in the IPA
• Promotes IPA membership
• Offices held in IPA at the state and regional levels
• Service on IPA state and/or regional levels
• Service on IPA state and/or regional committees as a member or as the chair
• Specific accomplishments and contributions to the IPA

Award:
Each region winner is recognized at the regional level with a plaque. The state winner is presented with an award at the annual Principals Professional Conference.

Nomination Process:
Nomination/application forms are attached or can be obtained from the IPA State Headquarters in Springfield.

Entry Deadline:
April 30, 2009 – Completed nomination/application forms due to your Region Director.