Awards and Recognition

Athletics and Recreation

Most Virtually Engaged Athlete Award

The Most Virtually Engaged Athlete Award acknowledges the continued commitment, dedication and overall support an athlete has shown to their team, chosen sport and coach during the ongoing need for distanced virtual programming.

This student will also ideally have participated in strength training activities, shown a commitment to good health and their overall academics. They will have also joined any available virtual training session, fun 30-day competitions, and attended some of SARD's guest speaker series to continue to develop their foundational sports and wellness knowledge. Ideally this student will have also participated in any external local competitions if possible. They may have even assisted with virtual events offered by SARD and other offices in OSA, and or service to others. 

Sports and athletics have been impacted greatly during this pandemic, but we feel students' ability to stay committed should be acknowledged. 

Criteria              

• Minimum CGPA of 2.50
• Ideally be an active member of a varsity team (however this is not essential)
• Have noteworthy contributions to student athletics
• Took part in at least one of SARD's virtual events/programs for each semester
• Demonstrated leadership, dedication, and was an example on and off the playing field
• Made a continued and motivated contribution to their team
• Overcame adversity/personal challenges during the current academic year
• Distinguished him/herself in their respective sport(s) and academic performance
• Always shows positive sportsmanship amongst their teammates, opponents and any officials

Most Inspirational Athlete Award

The most inspirational athlete award recognizes a special athlete who has managed to inspire others due to their ability to overcome. This athlete displays character qualities such as tenacity and self-discipline, and has an indomitable spirit. It is for the athlete who encourages his/her teammates to keep trying, no matter how dire the circumstances. It is for the athlete who suffers in loss, but never gives up.

Criteria:

• Minimum CGPA of 2.50
• Leadership, dedication, and example on and off the playing field
• Makes an outstanding contribution to the team
• Has overcome adversity during the current academic year

Most Improved Player Award

The most improved player award recognizes the player that has showed the most improvement and progress over the season. This player will have made a significant contribution to their team or chosen sport. They will have shown qualities such as consistency, dedication to practice, and at times, leadership.

Criteria:

• Minimum CGPA of 2.50     
• An active member of a varsity team
• Noteworthy contributions to student athletics
• Improved contribution to team success 30%
• Minutes per game 25%
• Injuries/missed games 25%
• Improved productivity 20%

 

Most Outstanding Male Athlete Award

This award is presented to the athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability and talent in their respective sport. This athlete will have shown real dedication to AUS athletics throughout the academic year.

Criteria:

• Minimum CGPA of 2.50  
• Distinguished himself in his respective sport(s) and academic performance
• Great attitude on and off the court/field
• Positive sportsmanship shown among their teammates, opponents and officials

Most Outstanding Female Athlete Award

This award is presented to the athlete who has demonstrated outstanding athletic ability and talent in their respective sport. This athlete will have shown real dedication to AUS athletics throughout the academic year.

Criteria:

• Minimum CGPA of 2.50  
• Distinguished herself in her respective sport(s) and academic performance
• Great attitude on and off the court/field
• Positive sportsmanship shown among their teammates, opponents and officials

 

Residential Life

Male Resident Assistant (RA) of the Year Award

This is an individual award given to Resident Assistants who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to their residential community through program development, addressing student needs, supporting others peer and senior staff, and is committed to community and leadership development. The RA of the Year is the resident assistant who has embodied the true essence of an amazing RA in every sense of the word and is a consistent performer in all RA duties.

Criteria

• Minimum CGPA of 2.80
• Undergraduate student with a minimum of 12 credit hours in the semester that the application is submitted
• Served as a Resident Assistant for the current academic year
• Has promoted a sense of community along her/his peers Excelled in his responsibilities as an RA
• Excelled in her responsibilities as an RA

Female Resident Assistant (RA) of the Year Award

Female Resident Assistant (RA) of the Year Award

This is an individual award given to Resident Assistants who have demonstrated exceptional contributions to their residential community through program development, addressing student needs, supporting others peer and senior staff, and is committed to community and leadership development. The RA of the Year is the resident assistant who has embodied the true essence of an amazing RA in every sense of the word and is a consistent performer in all RA duties.

Criteria

• Minimum CGPA of 2.80
• Undergraduate student with a minimum of 12 credit hours in the semester that the application is submitted
• Served as a Resident Assistant for the current academic year
• Has promoted a sense of community along her/his peers
• Excelled in her responsibilities as an RA

 

Program of the Year Award

This award recognizes a program that demonstrated outstanding leadership in the AUS residential community and was ideated, planned and executed in line with the residential life values of engagement, personal development and academic success. The Program of the Year Award can go to a RA staff program or an individual RA program.

Criteria

• The program should be planned and executed by one or a group of Resident Assistants.
• The programs nominated can be virtual or in-person events.
• The programs nominated should take place within the residential halls.
• The programs nominated should show evidence of being related to the resident’s needs, effectiveness of meeting the program outcome, be creative and unique, be well received by the residents.

Residential Hall of the Year Award

This award is given to the residential hall which has built a strong community that aligns with the mission of the Student Residential Life Department. The hall of the year should embody committed and caring student leaders, and exceptional educational and social engagement from residents and hall staff.

Student Engagement and Leadership

Most Outstanding Student Leadership Award

The Most Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes an individual for his/her exemplary leadership, dedication and commitment through selfless acts of leadership within his/her involvement in Student Leadership Program. The student demonstrates a commitment to individual leadership, serves as a role model for the student body while displaying an overarching dedication to the campus community. This award acknowledges a student with excellence in leadership, service, and community impact.

Criteria

• Minimum CGPA of 2.80
• An active member of the Student Leadership Program for the current academic year
• Noteworthy contributions to leadership programs and initiatives
• Is a Team/Peer Leader for the current academic year

Most Outstanding Student Volunteer Award       

The Most Outstanding Student Volunteer Award recognizes a distinguished undergraduate student for his/her exemplary record of serving the community and in promoting the welfare of the underprivileged throughout the academic year.

Criteria

• Minimum CGPA of 2.50
• An active Community Service volunteer for the current academic year
• Noteworthy contributions to community service

Most Proactive Student Award

The Most Proactive Student Award recognizes an individual who is highly engaged with student organizations throughout the academic year. The award acknowledges the student’s efforts, commitment, hard work and contributions towards the enhancement of student life on campus. The individual exhibits the model of a student who maintains good academic standing while proactively engaged in extracurricular activities.     

Criteria

• Minimum CGPA of 2.50
• An active member of the Student Leadership Program, Student Clubs and Organizations, Community Services and Outreach and Student Council for the current academic year
• Has a leadership role in an organization or club, Student Council, is a Peer Leaders or Team Leader
• Noteworthy contributions Student Engagement and Leadership programs and initiatives

Student Organization President of the Year Award

The Student Organization President of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding individual who has served as the president of a student organization. The award acknowledges the student’s contribution towards the advancement of extracurricular activities at AUS through his/her leadership of the student organization. The student is a role model to peers and has promoted the advancement of the student organization’s mission and proactively engaged its members to meaningful activities and out-of-class learning opportunities.

Criteria

• President of an OSA registered student organization for the current academic year
• Minimum CGPA of 2.5
• Plans and conducts events that promote the advancement of the organization’s mission
• Works in harmony with executive board members and exhibits ethical leadership qualities
• Serves as a role model and promotes the value and importance of extracurricular activities to one’s personal and professional development
• Plans and implements events in accordance with the policies and procedure set forth by OSA and AUS
• Optimizes the use of resources and supports the university’s sustainability efforts
• Contributes towards the development of major student events including the New Student Orientation, Week of Welcome, Club Fair and many others

Most Outstanding Student Innovation Award

The Most Outstanding Innovation Award is an award that celebrates an individual that developed an innovative product/process/solution that contributes to enriching the student experience and promote engagement within the student community. 

Criteria:

• A member of student clubs and organizations, Community Services and Outreach, Student Leadership Program or any other organizations
• Noteworthy contributions to Student Engagement and Leadership Department
• Overcame seatbacks and challenges while working on the idea
• Plans and implements events in accordance with the policies and procedure set forth by OSA and AUS

Most Outstanding Program of the Year Award

This award recognizes an event/program that has demonstrated excellence in planning and implementing carrying out a comprehensive engaging program within the AUS community and beyond. The event/program has enhanced the educational pursuits, wellbeing and cultural life of the students.

Criteria:

The event or program was hosted by a registered student organization, club, or team at AUS. The event or program used innovative resources to keep attendees engaged. The event/program was open to all students. The event or program promoted the advancement of the organization’s mission. The event or program was conducted in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth by OSA and AUS. The event or program promotes the value and importance of extracurricular activities with clearly defined learning outcomes.

Organization and Virtual Program Awards

Best Student Organization of the Year Award

The Best Student Organization of the Year Award recognizes outstanding student organizations from cultural and interest-oriented organizations. The award acknowledges the work, quality of events, outreach efforts and contributions of the student organization towards promoting a vibrant campus life and the advancement of extracurricular activities at AUS. The student organization actively engages its members to activities that promote their mission by conducting events that serve as a rich a platform wherein students can gain from practical learning experiences and hone their skills and abilities.

Criteria

• Active and registered OSA student organization for the current academic year
• Plans and conducts events that promote the advancement of the organization’s mission
• Creates extracurricular opportunities that support student development
• Works in harmony with other student organizations and promotes collaboration
• Promotes the value and importance of extracurricular activities by conducting events with clearly defined learning outcomes
• Plans and implements events in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth by OSA and AUS
• Optimizes the use of resources and supports the university’s sustainability efforts
• Contributes towards the development of major student events including the New Student Orientation, Week of Welcome, Club Fair and many others

Important Information for students receiving the Most Outstanding Active Student Award

Conditions:

• The award is presented to an undergraduate student registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours during the semester of receiving the award.
• No record of conduct probation or a greater sanction resulting from a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
• If a student received the OSA Scholarship in Fall 2021 or Spring 2022, they will be ineligible to receive the monetary portion of this award.
• We may acknowledge more than one student for the individual awards. 

Application:

To nominate deserving students for these awards, please complete the application found at https://info.aus.edu/osaawards2022.

Please submit nominations of students who are deserving of this award by completing the following application. Self-nominations are accepted.

Deadline: Thursday, April 25, at 5:00 p.m. Late Applications will not be accepted.