Mike,
Obviously you are part of the problem and not the solution. Climb out of the academic world you are in and think outside of the box. Materialism!? A plaque or even a "framed" certificate (that would be better than just the piece of paper) would hardly qualify as material! Get out and about and see what types of rewards are being given to those who EARN them. Materialism, capitalism, being driven, rewards those are all good things. Socialisim, communism, and failure to look for ways to improve, those are bad things!
Without change there can be no improvement!
