Each spring, we come together to celebrate and reward the individual and group efforts of students involved across campus at the Student Leadership Awards. There are awards for student employees, student organizations, programs, and more.
Nominations for the spring 2022 Student Leadership Awards will open in early February and the 28th annual awards celebration will be held on Friday, April 15 at 6:00 pm. in the Memorial Union Building Ballroom.
The current student award recipients are available online, as well as student award archives dating back to 2005.
Please read the award descriptions below to find the requirements of each award and the nomination forms.
Award Descriptions
Individual Awards
President's Award for Leadership
The President's Award for Leadership recognizes a student that embodies our leadership value statement: "We inspire the leadership needed for all individuals to boldly push everyday boundaries while serving others."
Requirements
- Be an undergraduate student in good academic and conduct standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year
More Information
- Student nominees will be asked to provide supplemental information including a two-page essay.
- Student nominees must also submit a current resume.
- Recipient of award will receive $1,000.
Provost's Award for Scholarship
The Provost's Award for Scholarship recognizes a student that embodies our scholarship value statement: "We inspire world class scholarship through academics, research and continued learning."
Requirements
Each academic department nominates one student to represent their department as its Departmental Scholar. From the collective departments, one student is selected to receive this award.
The Provost’s Award for Scholarship is given to a senior who best represents student scholarship at Michigan Tech. This outstanding student is considered excellent not only by academic standards, but also for participation in research scholarship activity, levels of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and communication skills.
Dean of Students Award for Possibilities
The Dean of Students Award for Possibilities recognizes a student that embodies our possibilities value statement: "We inspire the exploration and creation of all possibilities through innovative use of our skills and knowledge."
Requirements
- Be an undergraduate student in good academic and conduct standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year
More Information
- Student nominees will be asked to provide supplemental information including a two-page essay.
- Student nominees must also submit a current resume.
- Recipient of award will receive $1,000.
William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award
The William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award will be presented to a student who demonstrates community service with lasting and meaningful impact during their time at Michigan Tech, regardless of background or area of study.
Dr. David and Marie Blum have initiated this endowment in memory of Marie’s parents, Josephine and William Balconi. David and Marie remember Marie's parents as "kind, gracious, warm, and always helpful. They were always involved in helping others." Marie’s parents lived in the Houghton area.
Requirements
- Be an undergraduate student in good academic and conduct standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
- Have senior class standing and intend to graduate from Michigan Tech.
More Information
- Student nominees will be asked to provide supplemental information including a two-page essay.
- Student nominees must also submit a current resume.
- This is one-time non-renewable award.
- Recipient of award will receive $5,000.
Percy Julian Award
Requirements
- Be an enrolled, full-time undergraduate student at Michigan Tech.
- Had a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better at the end of the Fall semester of the current academic year.
- Display outstanding leadership accomplishments which promote diversity, social equality, or racial/ethnic and cultural understanding at Michigan Tech.
Clair M Donovan Award
The Clair M Donovan Award recognizes a Michigan Tech faculty or staff member, student, or an exceptional community member who has contributed the most outstanding service during the preceding year. This award is in honor of Clair M Donovan, who made immeasurable contributions to Michigan Tech through his service as national president of Blue Key, as an alumnus, and as a civil leader.
Requirements
- Be a Michigan Tech faculty or staff member, student, or an exceptional community member.
- Has positively contributed to the public image of the University.
- Demonstrates a continuing interest in the development of the University.
Outstanding Future Alumni Award
The Outstanding Future Alumni Award was created in 2014 to recognize the contribution of a student volunteer who supports the Alumni Engagement mission of “Celebrating Traditions. Creating Connections.” Consideration is given to students who are making a difference, and demonstrate a commitment to the success of an existing Michigan Tech tradition, or create a new one!
Requirements
- Be an enrolled, full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
- Be actively involved in a Tech tradition.
- Recipient of award will receive $500.
Exceptional Enthusiasm as a Student Leader
Requirements
- Be an enrolled, full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Be actively involved and enthusiastic in campus activities.
- Demonstrate initiative and flexibility.
Exceptional Enthusiasm as a Student Leader Award Nomination Form
Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance
Requirements
- Be an enrolled, full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Have held a past or present leadership position in a student governance body.
- Represent the entire constituency fairly and accurately.
- Have made significant improvements to the organization and community.
Exceptional Leadership in a Student Governance Award Nomination Form
Rising Star of the Year
Requirements
- Be an enrolled, full-time, undergraduate (1st or 2nd year) Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Show great potential for leadership.
- Attempt to develop themselves personally in everything they do.
Student Employee of the Year
Requirements
- Be an enrolled, full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Be employed on campus for at least one semester.
- Show responsibility, dependability, and follow-through on tasks.
- Show initiative and perseverance above and beyond their responsibilities.
- Be able to successfully balance academic work with employment duties.
Student Organization Advisor of the Year
Requirements
- Be a registered advisor of a registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- Participate and motivate the organization's membership.
- Be respected by members of the organization.
Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award Nomination Form
Organizational Awards
Exceptional Civic Engagement Award
Requirements
- Be an officially registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- Sponsor a service project, fundraising event, or philanthropic endeavor with the goal of improving the quality of the community.
Exceptional Program of the Year
Requirements
- Be an officially registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- Sponsor an event or initiative involving students that has made a positive impact on Michigan Tech's community.
- Includes but not limited to, diversity, educational, or social activities.
- Projects and activities that are designed to accommodate or effect and are open to the entire Michigan Tech population.
Most Improved Student Organization
Requirements
- Be an officially registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- Demonstrated growth and adaptability given challenges faced.
- Demonstrated overcoming challenges.
Student Organization of the Year
Requirements
- Be an officially registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- Accomplished goals set for the current academic year.
- Made an exceptional and significant impact on Michigan Tech's Community.