Academics

Nominations for Student Achievement Awards open Nov. 16 through Dec. 14

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Student Affairs has announced that nominations for the Student Achievement Awards will be accepted from Nov. 16 through Dec. 14 at 11:45 p.m.

The Student Achievement Awards recognize undergraduate and graduate students for their outstanding achievements inside and outside of the classroom and are traditionally presented at the President or Graduate Award Ceremonies in the spring.  

Nominations for the Student Achievement Awards will be considered for the Eric A. Walker Award, John W. Oswald Award, and the Ralph Dorn Hetzel Memorial Award. These awards are open to graduating seniors, with nomination forms for the Graduate Student Service Award and Jackson Lethbridge Tolerance Award requiring separate forms.

The Eric A. Walker Award recognizes a senior student whose activities and achievements have enhanced the public esteem and renown of Penn State. This award is presented to a graduating member of the senior class and is open to University Park students only. 

The John W. Oswald Award recognizes graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of the following areas of activity of Penn State:

  • Scholarship
  • Athletics
  • Social Services, Religious Activities, and Student Government
  • Journalism, Speech, and the Mass Media
  • Creative and Performing Arts

This award is presented only to graduating members of the senior class and is open to University Park students only. 

The Ralph Dorn Hetzel Memorial Award recognizes the achievements and potential of outstanding undergraduates who have demonstrated the qualities of responsible leadership during their college careers and give promise of public-spirited achievement in the future. This award is presented only to graduating members of the senior class who have shown outstanding academic achievement and have demonstrated leadership in University or other public activities.

The Graduate Student Service Award recognizes a graduate student who has best combined high academic achievement with leadership in University or other public activities. This award is open to any current graduate student who has completed a minimum of one full year of graduate studies at Penn State. Law and Medical students are not eligible for this award. 

The Jackson Lethbridge Tolerance Award’s purpose is to bring recognition to broad-minded students who openly promote responsible citizenship and civil respect for diversity within the Penn State community while emphasizing a nature of respectful tolerance for the differences among our constituents. This award is presented annually to one student of outstanding character and leadership. Juniors, seniors, or graduate students are eligible.

Click here for additional information on the Student Achievement Awards or to submit a nomination.

Last Updated November 23, 2020