Student Leadership Awards

About

The Center for Student Involvement coordinates the annual Student Leadership Awards process each year. This is an excellent way to recognize our outstanding students, staff, and student organizations who make positive and impactful contributions to our campus and surrounding community. The nomination forms for these awards are below.

The annual banquet is to be held on April 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Curris Center Ballroom. Each nominee per individual award will be invited, and for each organizational nominee, one student representative & one advisor will be invited to attend as well. 

All awards will also be announced on SGA's social media channels after the banquet has concluded. 

The deadline for nominee submissions is April 1, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. No late nominations or additional materials will be accepted past this deadline. 

***Must be a Registered Student Organization by March 1, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. to nominate.

Instructions

How to Submit

• Click on the award(s) below you want to submit

• Click on the corresponding link

• Complete the Nomination Form

• Press "Submit" at the bottom of the nomination form

Required Documents

Organizational Portfolio

An Organizational Portfolio must be submitted for these awards:

• Outstanding New Student Organization of the Year

• Student Organization of the Year

If you have issues submitting via the Google Form, please email us at msu.studentorganizations@murraystate.edu and put the award title in the subject line.

Guide to Creating an Organizational Portfolio (Downloadable PDF)

Nomination Forms

Individual Awards

Vice President for Student Affairs Top 10 Student Leaders

This award is presented by the Vice President for Student Affairs to ten student leaders who have been active in campus life at the university through their leadership within student organizations. Each RSO can nominate up to 4 student leaders. They MUST be a December 2024 or May 2025 graduate.

NOMINATE A STUDENT LEADER

A Rising Racer

This award is presented annually to a rising Murray State University student leader who has been actively involved in campus life and has shown a commitment to enhancing campus life at Murray State University. Must not have completed more than five semesters at any institution (Freshman/Sophomore). Each RSO can nominate up to 1 student leader. This is a one-time award.

Nominate a Rising Racer

Graduate Student Leadership & Service

This award is presented to a graduate student who is in their second year of graduate school and has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of leadership and involvement in student life during the past year. Each RSO can nominate up to 1 student leader. Nominee must have completed at least 18 credit hours of their graduate program by the end of the Spring 2025 semester. This is a one-time award.

Nominate a Graduate Student

Student Organization President of the Year

This award is to honor a student organization president who has excelled in their role of president. Each RSO can nominate up to 1 student leader. If you have had two Presidents during this academic year, it is up to you which one you nominate; however, you can only choose one to represent your RSO.

Nominate a student organization president

Racer Hero

This award is presented to a Murray State University staff member. This is a behind the scenes award for staff not directly linked to any student organization, but who has assisted an organization or various organizations. Each RSO can nominate up to 1 staff leader.

Nominate a Racer Hero

Organization Awards

Outstanding Community Service Project

This award is presented to the organization that has reflected good citizenship through actions of service to the community. This is not a fundraiser, but a creative, innovative and effective community service project.

Nominate an organization for Outstanding Community Service

New Student Organization of the Year

This award is presented to a student organization that has been registered at Murray State University for less than three (3) years. The outstanding New Student Organization must be able to meet the following qualifications: fundraising, service to the University and community, university involvement, fulfillment of the organizations’ mission/purpose. This is a one-time award.

Nominate a new student organization

Student Organization of the Year

This award is presented annually to recognize a student organization that has made a significant contribution to the university community through activities, programs, and service projects. The award is based on the number and quality of campus events held, amount of community service performed, involvement with university events, and the commitment to further advance leadership at Murray State University beyond the classroom.

Nominate a student organization