Nominations are now open to celebrate and recognize the individual and group efforts of students involved across campus at the 31st Annual Student Leadership Awards! Please read the award descriptions below for the requirements of each award and to access the nomination forms. The nomination deadline for all awards is Sunday, March 9th by midnight.
Save the date for the 31st Annual Student Leadership Awards which will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Memorial Union Building Ballroom!
The most recent year's student award recipients are available online, as well as student award archives dating back to 2005.
Award Descriptions
Individual Awards
The President's Award for Leadership recognizes a student who embodies our leadership value statement: "We inspire the leadership needed for all individuals to boldly push everyday boundaries while serving others."
Requirements
- Be an undergraduate student in good academic and conduct standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
More Information
- Nominees will be asked to provide supplemental information including a two-page essay.
- Nominees must also submit a current resume.
- Nominations are judged based on the nominee's essay along with the submitted nomination.
- The recipient of this award will receive $1,000.
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
The Provost's Award for Scholarship recognizes a student who embodies our scholarship value statement: "We inspire world class scholarship through academics, research and continued learning." It is awarded to a rising senior who best represents student scholarship at Michigan Tech. This outstanding student is considered excellent not only by academic standards, but also for participation in research scholarship activity, levels of intellectual curiosity, creativity, and communication skills.
Requirements
- Each academic department nominates one student to represent their department as its Departmental Scholar. From the collective departments, one student is selected to receive this award.
- Each Departmental Scholar is awarded $200.
- The recipient of this award will receive an additional $800 for a $1000 total prize.
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
The Dean of Students Award for Service recognizes a student who has contributed meaningful service to the university community. The selected student should embody the Community values statement, "We inspire an engaged community that actively seeks improvement through acceptance and understanding."
Requirements
- Be an undergraduate student in good academic and conduct standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
More Information
- Nominees will be asked to provide supplemental information including a two-page essay.
- Nominees must also submit a current resume.
- Nominations are judged based on the nominee's essay along with the submitted nomination.
- The recipient of this award will receive $1,000.
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
The William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award will be presented to a student who demonstrates community service with lasting and meaningful impact during their time at Michigan Tech, regardless of background or area of study. Dr. David and Marie Blum have initiated this endowment in memory of Marie’s parents, Josephine and William Balconi. David and Marie remember Marie's parents as "kind, gracious, warm, and always helpful. They were always involved in helping others." Marie’s parents lived in the Houghton area.
Requirements
- Be an undergraduate student in good academic and conduct standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
- Be a rising senior with at least one remaining semester and intend to graduate from Michigan Tech.
More Information
- Nominees will be asked to provide supplemental information including a two-page essay.
- Nominees must also submit a current resume.
- Nominations are judged based on the nominee's essay along with the submitted nomination.
- This is a one-time non-renewable award.
- The recipient of this award will receive $5,000.
William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award Nomination Form
The Gail and Glenn Mroz Emeritus President Leadership Award will be presented to a student who demonstrates exceptional leadership abilities through activities at Michigan Tech or philanthropic activities to benefit Michigan Tech and/or the greater Keweenaw community. The ideal recipient combines humility with integrity and the indomitable will to lead.
Requirements
- Be a first, second, or third-year undergraduate student or continuing graduate student in good academic and conduct standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
More Information
- Nominees will be asked to provide supplemental information including a two-page essay.
- Nominees must also submit a current resume.
- Nominations are judged based on the nominee's essay along with the submitted nomination.
- This is a one-time non-renewable award.
- The recipient of this award will receive $3,000.
Gail and Glenn Mroz Emeritus President Leadership Award Nomination Form
The Percy Julian Award is given out annually to an undergraduate student who displays outstanding leadership accomplishments which promote diversity, social equality, or racial/ethnic and cultural understanding at Michigan Tech.
Requirements
- Be an enrolled, full-time undergraduate student at Michigan Tech.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better at the end of the Fall semester of the current academic year.
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
The Clair M Donovan Award recognizes a Michigan Tech faculty or staff member, student, or an exceptional community member who has contributed the most outstanding service during the preceding year. This award is in honor of Clair M Donovan, who made immeasurable contributions to Michigan Tech through his service as national president of Blue Key, as an alumnus, and as a civil leader.
Requirements
- Be a Michigan Tech faculty or staff member, student, or an exceptional community member.
- Positively contribute to the public image of the University.
- Demonstrate a continuing interest in the development of the University.
The Outstanding Future Alumni Award recognizes the contributions of a student volunteer who supports the Alumni Engagement mission of “Celebrating Traditions. Creating Connections.” Consideration is given to students who are making a difference, and demonstrate a commitment to the success of an existing Michigan Tech tradition, or create a new one!
Requirements
- Be a full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
- Be actively involved in a Tech tradition.
More Information
- The recipient of this award will receive $500.
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
The Exceptional Enthusiasm as a Student Leader award recognizes a student actively involved in and enthusiastic about campus activities, who demonstrates both initiative and flexibility.
Requirements
- Be a full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
The Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance award recognizes a student who has represented the entire constituency fairly and accurately while striving to make significant improvements to the organization and community.
Requirements
- Be a full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
- Have held a past or present leadership position in a student governance body.
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance Nomination Form
The Rising Star of the Year award recognizes a student who has shown great potential for leadership and has attempted to develop themselves personally in everything they do.
Requirements
- Be a full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Be an enrolled, 1st or 2nd year undergraduate student during the current academic year.
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
The Student Employee of the Year award recognizes a student employee who has demonstrated responsibility, dependability, and follow-through on tasks. Additionally, they show initiative and perseverance above and beyond their responsibilities while successfully balancing academic work with employment duties.
Requirements
- Be a full-time Michigan Tech student in good conduct and academic standing.
- Be enrolled at Michigan Tech during the current academic year.
- Be employed on campus for at least one semester.
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
The Student Organization Advisor of the Year award recognizes the advisor of a registered student organization who engages and motivates the organization's membership through their participation. They are also respected by the members of the organization.
Requirements
- Be a registered advisor of a registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for three years after receiving their last award.
Student Group Awards
The Exceptional Civic Engagement Award recognizes a student group that has sponsored an exceptional service project, awareness event, or philanthropic endeavor with the goal of improving the quality of the community.
Requirements
- Be an officially recognized student group, such as:
- A registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- A house community through Residence Education and Housing Services
- An Enterprise group
- Be in good conduct standing
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for two years after receiving their last award.
The Exceptional Program of the Year award recognizes a student group that sponsored an exceptional program, which includes, but is not limited to, an event or initiative in the areas of diversity, education, or social activities, that has made a positive impact on the Michigan Tech community.
Requirements
- Be an officially recognized student group, such as:
- A registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- A house community through Residence Education and Housing Services
- An Enterprise group
- Be in good conduct standing
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for two years after receiving their last award.
Most Improved Student Group is awarded to a student group that has demonstrated growth and adaptability when faced with challenges allowing them to overcome obstacles and achieve success.
Requirements
- Be an officially recognized student group, such as:
- A registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- A house community through Residence Education and Housing Services
- An Enterprise group
- Be in good conduct standing
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for two years after receiving their last award.
Student Group of the Year is awarded to a student group that has made an exceptional and significant impact on Michigan Tech's community through accomplishing goals set for the current academic year.
Requirements
- Be an officially recognized student group, such as:
- A registered student organization through Student Leadership and Involvement.
- A house community through Residence Education and Housing Services
- An Enterprise group
- Be in good conduct standing
More Information
- Past recipients are not eligible to win for two years after receiving their last award.