Awards
UNIVERSITY AWARDS
ADELE H. STAMP MEMORIAL AWARD
In 1983, the Union at the University of Maryland was named for Adele H. Stamp in honor of her outstanding work as Dean of Women from 1922 to 1960. In recognition of her many contributions to the University community, the Adele H. Stamp Student Union – Center for Campus Life is proud to give an award in her name to the undergraduate or graduate student who has worked to further similar causes. The individual receiving this award must have demonstrated personal commitment to high academic achievement; to providing programs, services or events within the Stamp which help to establish a sense of campus community; and have served as a leader for campus causes or organizations.
CAMILLE K. RAJPAT MEMORIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING MEMBER OF THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT JUDICIARY
The Camille K. Rajpat Award is given to the member of the University Student Judiciary who best exemplifies the ideals of truth, honesty, integrity, empathy, and compassion through their service to the USJ. The award is named in memory of Camille K. Rajpat who served on the Student Judiciary as a member and presiding officer of the Honor Council, 1997 – 1998. Camille had been elected secretary of the Honor Council when she died suddenly in October of 1998. The Student Judiciary, a long-standing tradition of student involvement at Maryland, is comprised of the Student Honor Council, Central and Resident Judicial Boards, Appellate Board, and Community Advocates.
CHRISTOPHER CAREY CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD
The Christopher Carey Customer Service Award recognizes a student employee who has demonstrated excellent or exceptional customer service to others in the campus community. Chris was a student employee of Dining Services and worked at Mulligan’s, the golf course restaurant. Each day that he came to work, Chris captured the essence of what we value in our department. This award, named in Chris’ memory, is a way of encouraging all employed in the University of Maryland Dining Services to strive for the same goals, to do so with pride….and ALWAYS with Chris’ great smile.
GREEK LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Each year the Order of Omega Greek Leadership Honor Society selects a fraternity or sorority leader who embodies the high ideals and principles of Greek Life. The individual chosen has been an influential leader, an outstanding scholar, and an involved participant in the campus community.
JAMES H. KEHOE AND ETHEL KESLER AWARD
The James H. Kehoe (Men’s Intramural Sports Director, (1947-1969) and Ethel Kesler (Women’s Intramural Sports Director, 1956 -1981) Award is presented by University Recreation and Wellness to the undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated the highest degree of encouraging and inspiring the university community to be active and live well.
JOHN B. SLAUGHTER OUTSTANDING SENIOR AWARD
The John B. Slaughter Outstanding Senior Award is named after Dr. John B. Slaughter who served as Chancellor (President) of the University from 1982 to 1988. The award is presented to a senior of the African Diaspora who has been active on the campus, has been an advocate for the needs of students, and has an outstanding academic career.
JAMES OTIS WILLIAMS CULTURAL LEADERSHIP AWARD
James Otis Williams served the University for 26 years, serving as the Director of the Nyumburu Cultural Center for 25 years. Williams touched the lives of thousands of students, faculty, and staff, as a professional and friend during his long tenure at the University. The James Otis Williams Cultural Leadership Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, dedication to cultural awareness, and a commitment to higher education for students of the African Diaspora.
KIRWAN AWARD
The Kirwan Award is named in honor of William E. Kirwan who served as President of the University of Maryland from 1988 to 1998. Dr. Kirwan also served as Chancellor of the University System of Maryland from 2012 to 2015. The award is presented to a member of the junior class who has exhibited outstanding leadership and commitment to the college community during their collegiate career. Nominees are judged on the following criteria: involvement in student organizations and activities, service to the campus community, involvement in service to the broader community including community service and service learning, promotion of campus diversity or ethnic/race and international relations, outstanding academic performance, and leadership qualities including mentoring younger students. Award Criteria: Must be a Junior, good student standing
LA RAZA UNIDA AWARD
The La Raza Unida Award, which translates as “the people united,” is presented to the senior class student who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the Latino(a) student community at the University of Maryland and in the broader community as well as the general interest of the University. Award Criteria: Must be a Senior, good student standing
LINDA CLEMENT OUTSTANDING ADVISOR AWARD
This award is presented annually to a University of Maryland faculty or staff member who has provided outstanding service as an advisor to a campus student organization. This advisor is a visible and integral part of the success of the student organization, contributes to the growth and development of individual students in the organization, and is considered a role model in terms of club advisement. It is named after the former Vice President for Student Affairs who provided exemplary leadership to the UMD campus community whose strong support for student organizations is one of her most significant legacies.
LORDE – O’LEARY AWARD
The Lorde-O’Leary Award is named in honor of author and activist Audre Lorde and the late Professor Ron O’Leary of the University of Maryland Department of Theatre. The award is presented to the senior class student who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender student community at the University of Maryland and the general interest of the University. Award Criteria: Must be a Senior, good student standing
MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE AWARD
The Mary McLeod Bethune Award is presented annually to the senior class student who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the African American student community at the University of Maryland and the general interest of the University. Award Criteria: Must be a Senior, good student standing
MILDRED & RICHARD LOVING AWARD
The Loving Award, named in honor of Mildred and Richard Loving for their bravery and perseverance in invalidating miscegenation laws via the landmark Supreme Court decision in Loving vs. Virginia. This award is presented to a member of the University of Maryland undergraduate community who has demonstrated a significant and ongoing commitment to multiracial and cross-cultural causes and communities. Award Criteria: Open to all undergraduates, good student standing
OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT ASSEMBLY MEMBER AWARD
This award honors and recognizes an outstanding member of the Graduate Student Government Representative Assembly. The award is given to an Assembly member who has gone above and beyond the call of their position in discharging their duties.
RESIDENT ASSISTANT OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award is presented to the Resident Assistant whose outstanding performance distinguished them among other staff members. The Resident Assistant makes a special contribution to their community, proven to be a role model for other staff, and provides significant leadership for community development while successfully managing their academic careers.
SARAH WINNEMUCCA AWARD
The Sarah Winnemucca Award is named in honor of Paiute activist, educator, and author Sarah Winnemucca and her tireless dedication in advocating for the rights of Native American communities. The award is presented to a member of the University of Maryland undergraduate community who has demonstrated a significant and ongoing commitment to Native American Indian and Indigenous communities. Award Criteria: Open to all undergraduates, good student standing
SPIRIT OF MARYLAND AWARD
The The Spirit of Maryland Award is presented annually, in lieu of a traditional Homecoming King or Queen honoree, to two members of the senior class who through their achievements have most exemplified the "spirit" of the University of Maryland. Criteria for the award include outstanding scholarship, leadership, campus involvement, community service, and communication skills.
STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
This award is presented to the outstanding male and female intercollegiate athlete each year. These students exemplify characteristics of the best definition of a student athlete, combining academic and athletic excellence as well as commitment to campus leadership.
STUDENT WELLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY AWARD
Counseling Center Award for Student Wellness and Mental Health Advocacy is to acknowledge a University of Maryland, College Park undergraduate student who has demonstrated commitment to college student mental health and wellness through their academic, co-curricular, and or social activities on campus. Students selected for this award have engaged in a variety of activities that promote mental health awareness, help-seeking, education, and/or stigma reduction. Their work reaches a broad demographic and embraces values of diversity, inclusiveness and social justice.
VERA CRUZ-KOCHIYAMA AWARD
The Vera Cruz-Kochiyama Award, named after labor activist Philip Vera Cruz and Civil Rights Activist Yuri Kochiyama, is presented to the senior class student who has contributed most significantly to the advancement of the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American student community at the University of Maryland and the general interest of the University.
WILLIAM L. THOMAS STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AWARD
The William L. Thomas Student Government Association Award is named after the late Vice President of Student Affairs. Bud Thomas served the University of Maryland for 27 years and he was lauded for his leadership in the institution. The Student Government Association gives this award to an SGA member who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service to the Student Government Association.
OMICRON DELTA KAPPA AWARDS
COL. J. LOGAN SCHUTZ OMICRON DELTA KAPPA LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Society honors a member of the Circle who has demonstrated a peak standard of leadership within the Circle and on the campus. The leader is nominated and elected by the current undergraduates, graduates and faculty of Omicron Delta Kappa. The award is named in honor of Col. J. Logan Schutz, who was a supporter of the Sigma Circle and served as President in 1937-1938.
OMICRON DELTA KAPPA SOPHOMORE LEADER OF THE YEAR
The University of Maryland Sophomore Leader of the Year is recognized by the Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society as the second year student who has demonstrated a diverse and high level of achievement in leadership and campus involvement. The recipient of this award best exemplifies the leadership qualities of the sophomore class.
OMICRON DELTA KAPPA TOP TEN FRESHMEN
The Sigma Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Society recognizes the Top Ten Freshmen of the University of Maryland. These individuals have demonstrated a high level of achievement in leadership and campus involvement in their first year at College Park. The award is given in anticipation of the recipients’ continued involvement with the University in years to come.
MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND MEDALLION SOCIETY AND MODEL CITIZENSHIP PRIZES/ELKINS
WILSON H. ELKINS AWARD
The Wilson H. Elkins Citizenship Award is presented annually to a graduating senior who displays outstanding involvement and leadership in campus activities and who has contributed significantly to the general advancement of student affairs. The Award is named for Wilson H. Elkins who served the University as President from 1954 to 1978. Award Criteria: Must be a Senior, good student standing
MODEL CITIZENSHIP PRIZE
The University of Maryland Model Citizenship Award, is the most prestigious University award presented to two members of the graduating senior class who during their collegiate career has most nearly typified the model citizen and have contributed significantly to the general advancement of the interests of the University. Award Criteria: Must be a Senior, good student standing
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GRADUATE STUDENT DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
This award celebrates graduate students who have made outstanding contributions to the University community in the areas of scholarship, leadership, involvement and service.