Purpose

The Carleton Toni Award in the Arts is given to a Carleton student whose character reflects the values, outlook, and spirit of a beloved teacher, Antoinette "Toni" Sostek. After a distinguished career in dance and choreography, Toni Sostek passed away in January 1996; 25 years of which were spent as a dance instructor at Carleton. Through the metaphor of dance, Toni taught many important lessons in life. She brought home to her students that every moment in every class was a stage in the long--indeed, never ending--process of achievement.

Funding

A cash prize is awarded annually (actual amount is determined by the spendable income generated by the endowed fund). Winners have unrestricted control over the spending of their awards.

Eligibility

• Nomination (unsolicited) by a member of the Carleton faculty or staff;
• Full-time Carleton student
• Senior or junior standing
• Nominee embodies Toni's spirit through artistic expression
• Nominee whose experiences and character best reflect the spirit of Toni Sostek's teachings
• Previous winner ineligible
• Non-winners may be re-nominated in subsequent years

Award Process

Any member of the Carleton faculty or staff is invited to submit a name in nomination to Elizabeth Ciner, Associate Dean of the College and Coordinator of the Toni Award Selection Committee. Dean Ciner will confirm all nominations by contacting the nominator and the nominee.

If the nominee wishes to pursue the award opportunity, he or she must secure two letters of support: one from the original nominator, and one from a faculty member or artistic mentor other than the nominator. Send letters of support to the Committee for Studies in the Arts in care of Elizabeth Ciner by Friday, March 19, 2010. (If the second recommender is not a member of the Carleton community, the nominee should supply the recommender's name, address, and phone number.)

The Committee for Studies in the Arts (consisting of Carleton faculty representatives from among the English, theater, dance, music, media studies, and art departments) select a maximum of five (5) award finalists by weighing the letters of nomination and support. The Toni Award Selection Committee will interview the finalists in April. Students will be notified of the results by the end of April or early May.

Deadline for Nomination and Letter of Support

Friday, March 19, 2010, 5:00 PM, Dean of the College Office, Laird 131.

(Interviews will (tentatively) be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010, between 9:30 AM and 12:00 noon.)

Faculty Adviser

Elizabeth Ciner, Dean of the College Office, Laird 131, 507/222-4300.