Nominate a Student

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to nominate outstanding students for university awards. Students may self-nominate as well.

To nominate a student, please send them an email with the following information and hyperlink copied and pasted into the body of your message:

How to Apply

As described above, students who have been nominated for an award will receive an email from their nominator. In this email you will be given instructions on how to submit your application. You may also self-nominate.

The information on your application is what the selection committee considers when selecting award recipients, therefore, it is important to be thorough when responding to the questions. 

Providing dates and duration of activities is important, so the selection committee understands the extent of your involvement. Supplemental materials beyond what is required for your application will not be accepted. There is a portion on the application that asks for your “bio.” This may be used in the publication of the awards ceremony. Please submit a short statement describing your interests, activities, and involvement on campus, written in the third person. The application process closes on March 22, 2024.

Selection Process

Recipients are selected by a diverse selection committee comprised of faculty members, staff, and students whose membership represents: Housing, Athletics, CMAE, international programs, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Office of the Dean of Students, Erb Memorial Union, ASUO, and academic departments. Campus involvement in a variety of contexts and academic achievements are considered heavily in the selection of the individual awards.

Timeline

Once the deadline for applications passes, selection committees will review applications. You will receive notification in early May as to whether you have received an award.

Awards Ceremony and Celebration

The 2024 Honors and Awards Ceremony will be released on YouTube Premiere and award winners will receive an email invitation to attend the University Awards Celebration on Thursday, May 23, 3:00–4:30 p.m. at the Ford Alumni Center, Room 202. 

Watch the 2024 University Awards Celebration

Senior Awards:

Paul Olum Award:

This award is presented to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the qualities of Paul Olum, based on: 1) academic excellence; 2) dedication to the welfare of the university through involvement in campus activities; 3) integrity; and 4) concern for people.

Ray Hawk Award:

The Ray Hawk Award is presented to a senior who by performance best exemplifies the essential qualities of leadership in university life and promise of later leadership as a citizen; high scholastic achievement; service to others and the university; and contributions to improving the quality of undergraduate life at the university.

Ray Hawk Scholarship (may come with a monetary award):

The Ray Hawk Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of former Dean of Men Ray Hawk. This scholarship is awarded to inspire and support a University Friar to complete their education at the University of Oregon. This scholarship recognizes contributions to the university and potential for community leadership.

Wilson Cup:

The Wilson Cup, named after former Dean of Students Shirley Wilson, is awarded to a senior student whose outstanding leadership and willingness to challenge conventional thought has stimulated awareness and fostered education in the areas of social and cultural issues.

Frohnmayer Award:

This award is presented to a fifth-year senior who sustains extensive campus and community service throughout their fifth year of study at the university.

Junior Awards:

Bess Templeton Cristman Award:

The Bess Templeton Cristman Award, initiated in 1980, is given to a junior woman exemplifying the outstanding qualities of leadership, scholarship, and service to others. It was established by the family and friends of Bess Templeton Cristman. Her intelligence, character, and service to the university were honored during her college career as she received the Gerlinger Cup and was inducted into the Mortar Board National Honor Society.

Gerlinger Cup:

The Gerlinger Cup, first presented in 1914, is the gift of the late Irene Gerlinger, a member of the University Board of Regents from 1914 to 1929. The cup is awarded to the outstanding junior woman selected for scholarship, leadership, and service to the university.

Koyl Cup:

The Koyl Cup, which was named after 1911 graduate Charles Koyl, was first presented in 1914. The award goes to a junior man who has shown the most progress in leadership, service, and academic achievement.

Maurice Harold Hunter Leadership Scholarship (may come with a monetary award):

This award was created in honor of Captain Maurice Harold Hunter, class of 1941, who was killed in action in Burma during World War II. The award is presented to a junior man from the state of Oregon who has made the most notable contributions through their own achievements, and exhibited qualities of scholarship and leadership among their fellow students. This award includes a small scholarship. Amount is subject to availability of funds.

Jim Buch Award (may come with a monetary award):

Named after Jim Buch, who served as Director of Admissions and Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management from 1974–2003. The award is presented to a junior who has demonstrated strong academic achievement and whose service has helped the university build relationships with prospective and/or newly admitted students. The award carries a $1,000 scholarship (fee remission) to be used during recipient's senior year at UO.

Sophomore Award:

Vernon Barkhurst Sophomore Award:

This award is given to a sophomore who best exemplifies academic excellence, university service, and good citizenship. This award was established in 1984 in honor of Vernon Barkhurst, who served as Director of Admissions, Associate Dean of Students, and Conduct Coordinator.

Freshman Award:

Mary Hudzikiewicz Freshman Award (may come with a monetary award):

This award was established in 1999 in honor the late Mary Hudzikiewicz, and goes to a freshman student who has displayed a willingness to be involved in campus activities and who exemplifies academic excellence.

Additional Awards:

American Association of University Women (AAUW) Senior Woman Recognition:

This award is presented to a senior woman with a 3.5 GPA or above, selected for outstanding achievements in the areas of service to the university, service to the community, and lifetime goals. A supplemental essay must accompany the application: “The AAUW promotes equity for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive social change. Describe how your education, experiences, and future plans reflect these values.”

Dean’s Award for Service:

This award is given primarily to seniors who have made exceptional contributions of service to the university community, fellow students, and/or the larger community. Selection is coordinated by the Dean of Students.

Nontraditional Student Award:

This award recognizes the breadth and depth of experience and contributions made by nontraditional students as they balance academics and other work and family responsibilities.

Gherty-Moore Nontraditional Student Award (may come with a monetary award):

This award is given to a freshman, sophomore, or junior nontraditional student parent who serves as primary support and caregiver to their child or children. Recipient is selected by a committee through Nontraditional and Veteran Student Programs in the Office of the Dean of Students.

John R. Moore Scholarship (may come with a monetary award):

This graduate or undergraduate student scholarship is selected by a committee consisting of Standing Committee representatives and previous scholarship recipients and presented to students who excel in their contribution to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community at the University of Oregon. Factors for selection may include leadership and service in the university LGBTQ community, study and research as it relates to LGBTQ issues, and/or commitment to supporting the progress of the LGBTQ civil rights movement.

Graduate Awards:

These awards are given to a master’s and a doctoral student who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service, with selection directed by the dean of the graduate school.

Centurion Awards: 

Centurion Awards are given to undergraduate and graduate students for dedication and outstanding service as student leaders in the past year. To receive a Centurion Award, these students either emerged as one of the finalists being considered for other awards or stood out to selection committee members due to the depth and breadth of their contributions. On a campus of 24,000 students, being recognized in this group of 100 selected leaders is very significant.