The Volunteer Spirit Award is the highest honor given to a staff member at the university. Its significance is similar to the Torchbearer for undergraduates and the Macebearer for faculty. It is open to all exempt and non-exempt employees, and its purpose is to recognize someone who has gone above and beyond what is expected of them in their professional role. Candidates should exemplify the Volunteer spirit by having the courage to act and give of themselves in extraordinary ways.