These awards are among the most prestigious honors conferred by Western Carolina University. They are made possible through the generosity of Dr. Paul A. Reid (1902-1982) who twice served as president of the University.
Two awards are given each year. One award is for distinguished service by a faculty member; the other is for distinguished service by a member of the administrative staff. The faculty and the staff recipients of the award each receive $1,000 and a plaque commemorating his or her selection. The awards are to be conferred at the Spring General Faculty Meeting and Awards Convocation and recipients are also honored at the spring commencement ceremony.
Faculty Nominations
Staff Nominations
Winners of the Paul A. Reid Distinguished Service Awards
| Year | Administrative Staff Winners | Faculty Winners |
| 2012 | Beth Tyson-Lofquist | Phyllis Robertson |
| 2011 | William Frady | Tracy Lynn Zontek |
| 2010 | Richard "Rich" L. Kucharski | C. Dale Carpenter |
| 2009 | Roger Turk | Jamie Davis |
| 2008 | Bill Studenc | Mickey Randolph |
| 2007 | Patricia L. Miller | C. Don Livingston |
| 2006 | Fred D. Hinson | Scott Philyaw |
| 2005 | Tom Frazier | George DeSain |
| 2004 | Gene McAbee | Sharon Jacques |
| 2003 | Andy Degrove | Robert Buckner |
| 2002 | Judy H. Dowell | Bill Ogletree |
| 2001 | Benjamin F. Ward | Alfred W. Wiggins |
| 2000 | William J. Kirwan | Terry L. Kinnear |
| 1999 | Robert L. Orr | None |
| 1998 | Stephen White | Gordon E. Mercer |
| 1997 | Malcolm J. Loughlin | Clifford R. Lovin |
| 1996 | R. Randy Rice | Kathleen S. Wright |
| 1995 | George C. Wooten | William Kane |
| 1994 | Harry E. Ramsey | Susan C. Persons |
| 1993 | C. J. Carter | Max R. Williams |
| 1992 | Michael D. Creason | J. Dan Pittillo |
| 1991 | Mary S. Parris | Ralph H. Willis |
| 1990 | W. Douglas Davis | Fred D. Hinson |
| 1989 | F. Merton Cregger | Otto H. Spilker |
| 1988 | Gurney E. Chambers | A. Michael Dougherty |
| 1987 | Susie R. Ray | James W. Wallace |
| 1986 | Harriet M. Parker | Dan K. Southern |
| 1985 | Aaron Hyatt | J. C. Alexander |
| 1984 | Cecil Ward | Marily Jody |
| 1983 | Robert E. Stoltz | Judith Stillion |
| 1982 | Colleen C. Jakes | Joel Milner |
| 1981 | Jesse Flake | Jane Schulz |
| 1980 | A. Douglas Reed | Robert Rigdon |
| 1979 | Robert L. Waters | Roger Lumb |
| 1978 | Tyree H. Kiser | Helen Hartshorn |
2012-13 Paul A. Reid Committee Members
Anne Aldrich, Chair
Ben Tholkes
Bill Forsyth
Brian Dickens
Ed Broadwell
Gael Graham
Pat Kaemmerling
Mary Jean Herzog, Ex Officio
Sharron Crain