Donald B Woodbridge Award Of Excellence

History

In 1979, after deliberating over what kind of recognition would be really suitable for the contributions of Donald B. Woodbridge, the NCMS President’s Advisory Committee (PAC), which was tasked to come up with some ideas, finally decided that an award of excellence in his name was the best idea. While all past presidents of the society were members of the PAC and are contacted on all matters on which that group was requested to advise, Donald B. Woodbridge was carefully excluded from any of that deliberation. The decision of what, who, when, how, and where were solved. After many iterations, the concept of the award was finalized, with final approval/action at the January 1980 meeting.

Presentation of the first award was a tightly guarded secret. A little assistance of the Woodbridge family (particularly daughter Melissa) was necessary to be certain that the honored guest actually showed up at all. NCMS President Fred Daigle maintained the suspense by presenting Donald B. Woodbridge’s past president pin to him. The Board and the PAC felt pleasantly smug about being able to manage the concealment. In any event, the award was made to Donald B. Woodbridge and began a series recognizing contributions to the program on which we are all engaged.

The Woodbridge Award of Excellence nominee is chosen by the Woodbridge Committee, comprised of the a Past President and a minimum of three members of the President’s Advisory Council/Committee. The committee’s nominee is forwarded to the Board of Directors for confirmation at the spring board meeting.