Bravo+ Award Program

APPLICATION

Purpose

Bravo is an after-the-fact discretionary award program that lets employees know that someone has noticed their noteworthy contribution. At the same time, it reinforces the values and behaviors that are important to the University. Each unit will have the flexibility to allow for recognition in ways that are meaningful, fair, and clearly distinguish levels of performance within the specific work unit. 

As a general guideline, Bravo Awards will be awarded for extraordinary performance which produces a measurable outcome. The process used by each unit should ensure consistency in the selection process and in the application of the selection criteria within the unit.

Eligibility

All employees who have completed 3 months of service are eligible except for the following classifications: Executive Officers; Student employees; Graduate staff; Temporary staff; Visiting faculty; Limited term lecturers; Postdoctoral, Resident, or Intern appointments; and employees who have a specific employment contact with the University that links additional compensation to their performance. Staff members should at least meet expectations, according to the supervisor’s performance assessment of the employee; the employee must also have no outstanding disciplinary actions. Eligible employees are limited to four Bravo awards per fiscal year. 

Award criteria has been separated into four categories:

  • Moving the University Forward: Accomplishments or contributions that transform or advance University objectives (i.e., initiatives that improve graduation rates, development of programs to measure student academic knowledge, enhancing the academic excellence of the University, improving student affordability, etc.).
  • Operational Excellence: Extraordinary effort during times of critical department need (e.g., contribution that clearly and significantly exceeds standard job requirements and impacts the accomplishments of important and critical business operational goals and deliverables or extraordinary performance that far exceeds expected or required performance. Managers must be able to document specific achievements and/or measurable contributions to the unit’s business based upon the employee’s exceptional performance.).
  • Innovation/Creativity: Innovative work or suggestions, well beyond standard job requirements, that significantly improve operational efficiencies, introduce a new or modified business practice or improve work process, workflow or customer service.
  • Fiscal Stewardship: Significant cost saving or cost avoidance realized beyond normally expected or established standards.

You may nominate and pay for awards to employees outside your unit. You must however, gain support for the Bravo award by employing unit's head or director.

Process

  • Nominators complete Section 1 of the attached Bravo Award Nomination Form.    
  • The nominee’s supervisor signs Section 2
  • The Department Head completes and signs Section 3 with their recommended approval/denial and the recommended award amount.
  • The Department Head sends the completed form to Will Sondgerath at wsondger@purdue.edu  by Friday, May 30th.
  • Final approval decisions will be completed by Friday, June 6th.  Nominators, supervisors, and unit Heads/Directors will be notified of award approvals. The unit head or supervisor will then notify the staff member of their award. A college-wide article will be published announcing the award winners from across the College of Engineering. Additionally, we plan to recognize all Bravo recipients at a reception later this summer. 

Being Awarded

Bravo Awards provide non-recurring cash payments up to a maximum of $2,000. The College of Engineering will give Bravo Awards in the amounts of $500, $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000, with the level determined by the scope and impact of accomplishment. 

Bravo Awards will be processed with the regular payroll. The awarded amount will be added to your regular compensation amount on your pay stub. Bravo Awards are subject to applicable tax withholdings and W-2 reporting. Your net pay will reflect your regular compensation plus the additional Bravo compensation less applicable taxes.

A faculty/staff member may not be rewarded twice for the same achievement. Individual faculty and staff are limited to four (4) Bravo Awards per fiscal year.

Award amounts: $500, $1,000, $1,500, and $2,000.

 

Questions and completed applications should be sent to Will Sondgerath, Senior Assistant Dean for Staff and Senior Director of Operations, at wsondger@purdue.edu

 

2025 College of Engineering Bravo Award Winners

2024 College of Engineering Bravo Award Winners

2023 College of Engineering Bravo Award Winners

2022 College of Engineering Bravo Award Winners

Bravo awardees honored at the 2024 College of Engineering Bravo celebration.