Leadership Awards

The Emerging Leader Award is bestowed upon first-year and/or second-year students who have actively participated in co-curricular activities, showcasing exceptional service and leadership qualities that have made a positive impact on the University community in the current academic year. These students exhibit remarkable leadership potential that aligns with the Core Values of UMD, with or without holding a formal officer position.

• Academic Status: Open to first- and second-year students at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD).
• Involvement in Co-curricular Activities: Nominees should be actively engaged in co-curricular activities on campus.
• Exemplary Service: Candidates should demonstrate outstanding service within the University community, showcasing a commitment to making a positive impact in the current academic year.
• Leadership Qualities: Nominees must exhibit notable leadership qualities that have positively influenced those around them.
• Leadership Potential: The award seeks individuals who show exceptional leadership potential, even if they do not hold a formal officer position.
• Alignment with Core Values: Nominees should embody and support the Core Values of UMD – learning, discovery, engagement, inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation, integrity, and excellence – in their actions and contributions.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Consideration will be given to individuals who actively promote inclusivity and demonstrate an ability to work with diverse groups of people within their co-curricular activities and interactions on campus.

Nomination: Two letters of nomination that describe how the nominee meets the criteria described above are required. 

• Nominators may be any current UMD student, faculty, or staff. Preferably at least one nominator will be a faculty or staff member familiar with the student's qualifications for the award. 
• Letters may be no more than 500 words in length.

Supplementary Materials: Nominees will be notified of their nomination and asked to respond to the following essay prompts to further demonstrate their qualifications for the award (max 300 words each):

• Share your engagement in co-curricular activities at UMD, detailing instances where you've showcased exceptional service and demonstrated leadership potential within these pursuits. Additionally, outline your strategies for advancing your leadership development throughout your tenure at UMD, highlighting specific goals and areas of focus.
• Describe how you embody and uphold UMD's Core Values, emphasizing your specific contributions to the value of Inclusiveness. Additionally, select two other values from the following options—Learning, Discovery, Engagement, Sustainability, Innovation, Integrity, and Excellence—and elaborate on how you actively embody and contribute to these chosen values in your actions and endeavors.

2024 - Aisha Hersi
2023 - Remi Foust
2022 - Ella Stewart
2021 - Isaac Conrad
2020 - Anna Peterson

The Bulldog Award is awarded to one or two students who have been at UMD for at least one academic year. Recipients will have distinguished themselves as leaders on campus, showcasing a noteworthy and positive influence on the University community within the current academic year.

• Academic Status: Candidates must have been enrolled at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) for at least one full academic year.
• Leadership: Nominees should have demonstrated exemplary leadership within academic settings and/or co-curricular activities at UMD.
• Positive Impact: Candidates must have made a significant and positive impact on the University community within the current academic year. This may be a specific project, initiative, or other achievement for a department or student organization.
• Innovation and Initiative: Nominees who have shown innovation and taken initiative in their leadership roles will be given special consideration.
• Demonstrated Values: Candidates should embody and support the values and mission of the University, embodying qualities such as learning, discovery, engagement, inclusiveness, sustainability, innovation, integrity, and/or excellence. 
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Consideration will be given to individuals who actively promote inclusivity and demonstrate an ability to work with diverse groups of people within their co-curricular activities and interactions on campus.

Nomination: Two letters of nomination that describe how the nominee meets the criteria described above are required. 

• Nominators may be any current UMD student, faculty, or staff. Preferably at least one nominator will be a faculty or staff member familiar with the student's qualifications for the award. 
• Letters may be no more than 500 words in length.

Supplementary Materials: Nominees will be notified of their nomination and asked to respond to the following essay prompts to further demonstrate their qualifications for the award (max 300 words each):

• Describe your engagement in academic and/or co-curricular activities at UMD, detailing where you’ve demonstrated exemplary leadership. Additionally, describe a specific project, initiative, or other achievement that you were responsible for within the current academic year that made a significant and positive impact on the University community. 
• Describe how you embody and uphold UMD's Core Values, emphasizing your specific contributions to the value of Inclusiveness. Additionally, select two other values from the following options—Learning, Discovery, Engagement, Sustainability, Innovation, Integrity, and Excellence—and elaborate on how you actively embody and contribute to these chosen values in your actions and endeavors.

2024 - Grace Hill & Hayden O'Connor
2023 - Molly Williams & Riley Tuft
2022 - Dakota Leget & Desiree Franklin
2021 - Kayla Nelson & Emily Schabert
2020 - Bryce Plagman & Alec Becker

According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary "When you reach the zenith, you're at the top, the pinnacle, the summit, the peak." Thus, the Zenith Award is presented to one or two outstanding students who have demonstrated exemplary service over a period of two years or more to UMD student organizations, the University, and the community. This prestigious honor is reserved for undergraduate students who anticipate graduating within one semester following the award or have graduated one semester prior to the award ceremony.

• Academic Status: Candidates must be undergraduate UMD students who either expect to graduate within one semester following the award or have graduated one semester preceding the award.
• History of Service: Nominees must have a proven track record of providing exemplary service to UMD student organizations, the University, and the community for a minimum of two years.
• Exemplary Service: Nominees must have demonstrated outstanding service, showcasing a sustained commitment to making a positive impact on UMD student organizations, the University, and the broader community.
• Leadership Impact: The award seeks individuals whose service contributions have had a notable and positive influence on the groups and communities they have served.
• Academic Standing: While not the primary criterion, additional consideration may be given to nominees with a strong academic standing.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Consideration will be given to individuals who actively promote inclusivity and demonstrate an ability to work with diverse groups of people within their co-curricular activities and interactions on campus and in the community.

Nomination: Two letters of nomination that describe how the nominee meets the criteria described above are required. 

• Nominators may be any current UMD student, faculty, or staff. Preferably at least one nominator will be a faculty or staff member familiar with the student's qualifications for the award. 
• Letters may be no more than 500 words in length.

Supplementary Materials: Nominees will be notified of their nomination and asked to provide the following supplementary materials.

• Resume: Nominees will be asked to provide a resume that includes their leadership roles and other relevant experiences.
• Essay Responses: Nominees will be asked to respond to the following essay prompts to further demonstrate their qualifications for the award (max 300 words each):
  • Outline your history of involvement at UMD and in the community, providing specific examples of your sustained dedication to making a positive impact on student organizations, UMD, and the broader community. Moreover, describe how you've effectively balanced achieving academic success with your commitment to co-curricular and community engagement.
  • Describe how you embody and uphold UMD's Core Values, emphasizing your specific contributions to the value of Inclusiveness. Additionally, select two other values from the following options—Learning, Discovery, Engagement, Sustainability, Innovation, Integrity, and Excellence—and elaborate on how you actively embody and contribute to these chosen values in your actions and endeavors.
• Interview: Finalists will partake in an interview with the selection committee to further discuss their qualifications for the award.

2024 - Brianna Raddatz
2023 - Isaac Conrad & Ella Stewart
2022 - Anna Counihan & Elizabeth Breitbach
2021 - Stine Myrah
2020 - Bella Maki

This award is designated for the student organization that has exhibited remarkable commitment to the support and development of its members, coupled with a demonstrated record of exceptional service to the University and/or community throughout the current academic year. The receiving organization should embody UMD’s Mission and Values.

• Eligibility: Organizations must be a currently active Registered Student Organization or Campus Life Program at UMD and may not have won the award in the previous 5 years.
• Support and Growth of Members: The receiving organization must have demonstrated a commitment to the support and growth of its members, fostering an environment that enhances their leadership development and personal growth.
• Outstanding Service: The organization should have a proven record of outstanding service to the University and/or community during the past academic year.
• Innovative Programs or Initiatives: Consideration will be given to organizations that have implemented innovative programs or initiatives that have contributed to a positive impact on the University and/or community.
• Collaboration and Engagement: The award seeks organizations that actively collaborate with other groups and engage with the University or community in meaningful ways.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Consideration will be given to organizations that actively promote inclusion and diversity, and create a sense of belonging within their members and interactions on campus.

Nomination: One letter of nomination that describes how the nominee meets the criteria described above is required. 

• Nominators may be any current UMD student, faculty, or staff.
• Letters may be no more than 500 words in length.

2024 - Pre-Genetic Counseling Club
2023 - Indigenous Student Organization
2022 - Green Bandana Project
2021 - Student Healthcare Management Association
2020 - Kirby Program Board

The Arrowhead Award is given to a member(s) who demonstrates exemplary service to their student organization. Each organization may honor up to five individual members of their group per year. 

• Eligibility: Recipients must have been a member of the organization during the current academic year.
• Honorees: Up to 5 individual members will be recognized per group.

Submission of Award Recipients: A representative from the organization, excluding the award recipients, should submit one nomination for recipients on behalf of the organization. 

2024 - UMD Omicron Delta Kappa - Dakota Kath, Remi Foust, Annika Keller, Uyen Nguyen, Kayla Towne; Bulldog Rocketry - Nick Hartliep, Rachel Cirillo, Andrew Carland, Ian Keller, Jenna Whiting; Phi Sigma Sigma - Tayva Madsen, Shannon Heymans, Margaret Stevens; Women in Business - Molly Trullinger, Shelby Spah, Erin Healy, Olivia McCarron; The Bark - Remi Foust, Maddie Gagnon, Seth Roeser, Alyvia Taylor, Izabella Zadra 

2023 - Student Government Association: Corbyn Goodermote, Ethan Ion, Ben Osei-Tutu, Olivia Osei-Tutu, Michael Waldorf; Engineers Without Borders: Cody Barrett, Peter Foldesi, Eric Gibson, Abigail Norman; Panhellenic Council: Brenna Barstad, Tabi Diamond, Emily Holloway, Kyla Morgenstern, Emily Moore; Bulldog Rocketry: Samuel Draeger, Erin Knight, Andrew Ludwig, Chris Silman, Tanner Witt; Kappa Xi Delta: Laura Christnagel, Vanessa Cotter, Brenna Duffy, Sydney Gillund Gracie Raichert; Beta Lambda Psi: Riley Krenz; Women's Rugby FC: Ariel Meyer

2022 - The Accounting Club: Kaleb Maether, Jason Dahlen, Deja Caswell, Tommy Kroll; Alpha Nu Omega: Lucas Koeher, Marcus Young, Broderick Aspling; Alpha Sigma Phi: Reece Holmdahl, Andrew Twoney, Gabe Qualley, Nick Brandt; Alpha Sigma Tau: Emily Hoyt, Erica Alexander, Ella Gardner, Jasmine Dixon; Beta Lambda Psi: Riley Krenz; Bulldog Rocketry: Emmal Nelson, Zach Coughlin, Noah Lichtenberg, Logan Iverson; Gamma Sigma Sigma: Desiree Franklin; Interfraternity Council: Warren Wilke; Kappa Xi Delta: Alexa Knuth, Athena Wiezorek, Brenna Duffy; MPIRG/SEE Change: Shelby Suhr, Ella Stewart, Levi Gregg; Omicron Delta Kappa: Alex Moe, Jason Coyle, Michaela Stram; Panhellenic Council: Hannah Murray, Riley Krenz; Phi Sigma Sigma: Kyla Morganstern, Hannah Murray; Student Association: Nam Nguyen, Annie Counihan, Ben Black, Emma Nelson, Michael Waldorf, Eli Sailer Haugland, Parker Schultz, Laitzia Yang, Daksha Gummadi; Tau Kappa Epsilon: Sean Studenski, Logan Bigelow, Rhett Oehkle, Spencer Engel, Izaiah Zirbes; UMD Alpine Ski and Snowboard Club: Suzanne Schneider

2021 - Gamma Sigma Sigma: Meghan Keating, Desiree Franklin, Alaina Wadzink, Latasha Hayden, Maddie Seyffer; Earth and Environmental Sciences Student Organization: Katie Feil, Matthew Kennedy, Addie Johnson, Isabel Lueknbill, Matthew Metzler; Kirby Program Board: Sara Stone, Annabelle Paquin, Macey Tellijohn, Mya Ngo, Alex Kncilja, Abigael Smith; Omicron Delta Kappa: Stine Myrah, Annabelle Paquin, Caitlyn Gunderson, Erika Jutton; Sales Club: Chase Sullivan, Peyton Maas, Jack Koenig; Student Association: Emma Neidviecky, Jonathan Wolenec, Riley Tuft, Gabbie Raymond, Alex Moe

2020 - Women’s Club Ultimate Frisbee: Lauren Hibbard, Erin Marshall; Gamma Sigma Sigma: Elle Scott, Meghan Keating, Emma Polzin, Madelayne Seyffer, Payton Clark; Kirby Program Board: Cassidy Bonsante, Macey Tellijohn, Azrin Awal, Annabelle Paquin; MPIRG: Kayla Lobbins, Becky Green, Aidan Ries, Ruby McCormick, Kai Toering; Society of Women Engineers: Kaitlyn Turner, Lindsay Maruska, Lydia Anderson

The recipient of this award is someone who has surpassed the standard expectations of an advisor to a student organization, demonstrating a sincere dedication to fostering the growth and development of the organization throughout the current academic year.

• Eligibility: Nominees must be an advisor to an active Registered Student Organization or Campus Life Program for the current academic year and must not have won the award in the past 5 years.
• Organization Advisory Excellence: The recipient should have consistently gone above and beyond the typical expectations of an advisor to a student organization.
• Commitment to Growth: The recipient should demonstrate a genuine commitment to fostering the growth and development of the student organization they advise and its members.
• Leadership Impact: The advisor’s efforts should be linked to tangible outcomes, positively influencing the student organization and contributing to its overall success and progress.
• Student Success: The recipient should demonstrate actions that result in a positive impact on the personal and academic success of the students involved in the organization.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Consideration will be given to student organization advisors who foster an inclusive and welcoming environment within the organization and at UMD, promoting diversity and ensuring that all members feel valued and included.

Nomination: One letter of nomination that describes how the nominee meets the criteria described above are required. 

• Nominators may be any current UMD student, faculty, or staff. Preference will be given to nominations from students who are members of the organization. 
• Letters may be no more than 500 words in length.

2024 - Dr. Alexis Elder, Socratic Society
2023 - Dr. Brock Hedegaard, American Institute of Steel Construction UMD Chapter
2022 - Jessica Gardner
2021 - Amin Rostami
2020 - Susana Pelayo-Woodward

The Outstanding Faculty Award will be presented to UMD faculty member(s) who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in teaching and instruction, recognizing their significant contributions to the educational progress of students, the UMD community, and the broader pursuit of knowledge for all.

• Eligibility: Nominees must be current faculty member at UMD and must not have won the award in the past 5 years.
• Excellence in Teaching: Nominees must exhibit outstanding abilities in the realm of teaching, demonstrating a commitment to fostering student learning and academic excellence.
• Instructional Innovation: Consideration will be given to faculty members who have implemented innovative and effective instructional methods, contributing to an enhanced learning experience.
• Community Engagement: Nominees should have actively contributed to the UMD community, fostering a positive and collaborative academic environment.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Consideration will be given to faculty who foster an inclusive and welcoming environment at UMD, promoting diversity and ensuring that all students feel valued and included.

Nomination: One letter of nomination that describes how the nominee meets the criteria described above is required. 

• Nominators may be any current UMD student, faculty, or staff. Preference will be given to nominations from students. 
• Letters may be no more than 500 words in length.

2024 - Jennifer Gordon, Art & Design
2023 - Dr. Sam Toan, Chemical Engineering
2022 - Daniel Nolan, Chemical Engineering
2021 - Angie Braud, Accounting
2020 - Steve Sharkey, Consumer Insights & Analytics

The Outstanding Staff Award is designated for a current P&A, Civil Service, AFSCME, or Teamster staff member at UMD who has exhibited exceptional support and genuine concern for the wellbeing of students and the University. This individual is recognized for exceeding the expectations of their role in supporting students and creating a sense of belonging for students at UMD. 

• Eligibility: Nominees must be a current P&A, Civil Service, AFSCME, or Teamster staff member at UMD and must not have won the award in the past 5 years.
• Positive Impact: Consideration will be given to staff members who have made a measurable and positive impact on the wellbeing of students and the overall University community.
• Genuine Concern: Nominees must exhibit genuine concern for the wellbeing of students, fostering a positive and supportive environment.
• Collaboration: Nominees should showcase a collaborative spirit, working effectively with colleagues and other stakeholders to enhance the support provided to students.
• Commitment to Inclusivity: Consideration will be given to staff who foster an inclusive and welcoming environment at UMD, promoting diversity and ensuring that all students feel valued and included.

Nomination: One letter of nomination that describes how the nominee meets the criteria described above is required. 

• Nominators may be any current UMD student, faculty, or staff. Preference will be given to nominations from students. 
• Letters may be no more than 500 words in length.

2024 - Jane Ebersviller, Art & Design
2023 – Matthew van Wageningen, Sustainability
2022 - Terry Smalley, UMD Stores
2021 - Dr. Lisa Erwin, Student Life
2020 - Gina Pudlick, Kirby Student Center

This award will be presented to an academic advisor at UMD who has exceeded the expectations of their role. The recipient is recognized for demonstrating sincere support and genuine concern for the wellbeing of the students under their guidance, going above and beyond the standard requirements of an academic advisor.

• Eligibility: Any current academic advisor, faculty or staff, at UMD is eligible, so long as they have not won the award in the past 5 years.
• Exceptional Support: The recipient must have provided exceptional support to the students they advise, demonstrating a commitment to their academic and personal success.
• Genuine Concern: Nominees should exhibit genuine concern for the wellbeing of the students under their guidance, going beyond the standard expectations of an academic advisor.
• Student Success: The academic advisor’s efforts should be linked to tangible outcomes, contributing to the overall success and wellbeing of the students they advise.
• Innovative Advising Practices: Consideration will be given to academic advisors who have implemented innovative and effective advising practices to enhance the academic and personal development of their students.

• Commitment to Inclusivity: Consideration will be given to academic advisors who foster an inclusive and welcoming environment at UMD, promoting diversity and ensuring that all students feel valued and included.

Nomination: One letter of nomination that describes how the nominee meets the criteria described above is required. 

• Nominators may be any current UMD student, faculty, or staff. Preference will be given to nominations from students. 
• Letters may be no more than 500 words in length.

2024 - Jennifer Webb, Art & Design
2023 - Jose Carrillo, Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
2022 - Laura Schnell, Athletics
2021 - Sr. Laura Palombi, School of Pharmacy
2020 - Steve Sharkey, Consumer Insights & Analytics