Undergraduate Student Awards

Thanks to the support of alumni and friends, the College of Education is proud to award a wide variety of awards to deserving students of the College of Education. Awards are awarded on a competitive basis to College of Education students acknowledging excellent academic achievement, commitment to the profession, and outstanding participation in professional and service activities.

Who is eligible for an award?

University students with any number of credit hours who are enrolled in an undergraduate curriculum in the College of Education or College of LAS with a minor in secondary school teaching are eligible to apply. Applicants for awards should be enrolled in Pre-Teacher Education or Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or one of the Secondary School Teaching Minor programs (Science: Biology; Science: Chemistry; Science: Earth and Space Science; Science: Physics; English Language Arts; Mathematics; and Social Science: History).

Applicants must be in good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation) and should have a commitment to maintaining satisfactory and continuous progress toward the degree objective and teacher certification.

Incoming freshmen and transfer students who meet the criteria for an award will be automatically considered based on information from admissions materials; no additional application process is required.

What types of awards are available?

• General Awards
• Elementary or Early Childhood Awards
• Secondary Education Awards
• Financial Need Awards
• Nontraditional Student Awards
• Geographically-based Awards

What are the procedures and deadlines for applying for an award?

Applications for 2011-2012 awards are due April 1, 2011. They are submitted electronically through Awards Manager. Applicants begin by logging in using their netID and Active Directory password. The online application can be saved before submitting so applications can be completed over a period of time. Applications in progress can be accessed at Awards Manager.

The following documents should be prepared for upload into Awards Manager:

• Resume. Please distinguishing between school and volunteer experiences completed to meet admissions or coursework requirements and other volunteer or service work.
• Responses to three essay questions. Approximately 250 words for each question.

  • The 18th century French philosopher Denis Diderot said, "Only passions, great passions can elevate the soul to great things." Describe one of your passions and reflect on how it will enhance your students’ education.

  • Evaluate a recent experience you have faced with people unlike yourself.  What has been the effect of that experience on you?  In what way might this experience influence you as a teacher in addressing diversity in your classroom?

  • Share your vision of yourself as a professional 5 years after graduation. Where and whom will you be teaching?  Include age of student and type of community.  What motivates you to seek this particular type of position?

Applicants may elect to be considered for awards intended for students who meet specific criteria. Text boxes are available in which applicants can provide additional information they wish to be considered during the selection process for these awards.

• Financial Need consideration. Financial need information will be drawn from 2011-2012 FAFSA application if applicants choose to be considered for this category of awards. Applicants should use the text box to provide additional information may not be apparent from FAFSA data.
• Geographic consideration. Awards are available for students from particular areas of the state. Applicants should use the text box to write a short statement describing their connection to the geographic area.
• Non-Traditional Student consideration. Students who are parents or who are completing an undergraduate program several years after high school are encouraged to use the text box to share a statement describing relevant circumstances.
  

How are the recipients chosen?

Application materials are reviewed by the College of Education Undergraduate Honors & Awards Committee. Award criteria vary slightly depending on the donors’ wishes, but in general, the committee considers academic achievement, commitment to the profession, and participation in professional activities and experiences.

When are the awards announced?

Announcement of Student Award Recipients will be made the May prior to the Awarded Academic Year. Recipients will be honored at the College of Education Student Recognition Banquet held annually in November. Attendance at the Student Recognition Banquet is mandatory and is a required condition of all of the College of Education awards. Many of our donors also attend and they want, and expect, to meet the students who will benefit from their generosity.