Annual Awards
Two annual awards are presented to employees who have been recommended by their peers and then selected by the Leadership Team.
MVP AWARD
Vanderbilt is a community dedicated to the lifelong realization of our potential. The Office of Investments thrives on that spirit of perpetual growth and collectively striving to succeed. We are committed to protecting and growing the endowment assets to support the University and its mission in perpetuity. We do this by continuously looking for ways to improve our processes, challenging the status quo, and generating new ideas to advance our work.
The MVP Award is presented annually to a staff member who advanced this mission by making a significant impact on a process, investment, project, or initiative. This individual went the extra mile, problem-solved, or innovated in important ways, and thereby made a positive impact on our department, the university, and our endowment.
ULTIMATE TEAM PLAYER AWARD
A successful culture of teamwork can be characterized as an environment marked by the shared belief that the organization can move forward most effectively when collaboration and cooperation are at the heart of thinking, planning, and decision-making. Teamwork and collaboration are part of our core values.
The Team Player Award is presented annually to a staff member who fosters collaboration, approaches his or her work with a team-based mentality, embodies a mindset of solutions and new ideas that help push the team forward, and helps shape and grow our culture. This individual positively influences the work environment, achieves goals, and overcomes obstacles.
MVP 2023 – Luke Blanton (right)
Luke Blanton received the Most Valuable Player award for the Vanderbilt Office of Investments in December 2023 due to his exceptional performance and contributions to the team's success.
Team Player 2023 – Cubbedge Snow (left)
Cubbedge Snow was awarded the Ultimate Team Player award for the Vanderbilt Office of Investments in December 2023 for his exceptional teamwork and dedication to supporting his colleagues.
Previous Award Winners
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2022
MVP 2022 – Kate Ripley (right)
Kate’s positive and energetic attitude paired with her creativity and willingness to always go the extra mile inspired others and proved to make a meaningful impact on the team. She consistently exceeded expectations, found creative solutions to challenges, and delivered outstanding results. Her dedication and hard work were integral to the team's achievements and office culture, making her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
Team Player 2022 – Grace Brown (left)
Throughout the year, Grace consistently went above and beyond to help her team achieve their goals, whether it was by staying late to assist with a project, volunteering to take on additional responsibilities, or building relationships and bringing people together. Her positive attitude and willingness to collaborate with others made her an invaluable asset to the team and contributed to the overall success of the office. Her hard work and selflessness truly embodied what it means to be a team player.
Kudos & Employee of the Month
Each month, Kudos are collected from staff who want to spotlight their co-workers, managers, and direct reports. Kudos are a lighthearted way to give encouragement and thank others for their hard work. At the end of the month all employees who have received a kudo are eligible to win Employee of the Month. Winners pass around the Employee of the Month trophy to display on their desk.