Awards and Honors


Each year the Division of Student Affairs honors outstanding members of the Marshall University student community. These awards recognize student contributions through leadership roles and service to the university and community. There are also two awards that recognize the outstanding contributions of faculty or staff members in their role as advisors to a student organization. A complete description of all awards can be found below.  ATTN:  Applications are available via HerdLink FORMS during the month of March.

Individual Leadership Awards 

  • Freshman Leadership Award   
  • Sophomore Leadership Award   
  • Junior Leadership Award  
  • Senior Leadership Award  
  • Graduate Student Leadership Award   
  • Leadership in Campus Programming  
  • Leadership in Diversity Contributions   
  • Outstanding Service to Marshall University    
  • Leader of the Year  

 Student Club/Organization Awards 

  • Most Outstanding New Student Organization   
  • Outstanding Community Service Award  
  • Club/Organization Advisor of the Year Award  
  • Outstanding New Member  
  • President of the Year Award  
  • Community Service Club/Organization of the Year Award   
  • Most Improved Club/Organization Award  
  • Community Service Event of the Year  

Individual Leadership Awards 

Freshman Leadership Award: This award recognizes a first-year student who has taken the initiative to get involved in student organizations at Marshall University, even while he or she is adjusting to new surroundings.  This student has shown potential as a leader and potential for future contributions to campus life.  

Sophomore Leadership Award: This award recognizes a second-year student who has taken the initiative to get involved in student organizations at Marshall University, even while he or she is adjusting to new surroundings.  This student has shown continued potential as a leader and potential for future contributions to campus life. 

Junior Leadership Award: This award recognizes a third-year student that has exemplified the idea of leadership on Marshall’s campus. This student demonstrates involvement and dedication to their organization in their time on campus and continues to strive to grow as a leader.  

Senior Leadership Award: This recognizes the involvement and accomplishments of our outstanding senior leaders. As seniors, they have not only demonstrated their commitment to enhancing the quality of life on Marshall’s campus but have also shown outstanding potential for future achievement as they prepare to enter a new phase in their lives.  

Graduate Student Leadership Award: This award recognizes graduate students who are involved on campus despite their graduate level courses, professional commitments, and/or family responsibilities. The award recipients have exceeded in demonstrating their involvement and balance between work, school, and life. 

Leadership in Campus Programming: This award recognizes an individual who strived to create events on campus to help create community and get students involved. They have shown leadership in campus programming and went above and beyond to create events aimed to the betterment of Marshall and the community. 

Leadership in Diversity Contributions: This award recognizes the student who exemplifies the idea of campus diversity through their actions, affiliation with organizations that promote diversity education, and/or contributions to implementing events promoting diversity. 

Outstanding Service to Marshall University: This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership during their Marshall University experience. Through innovation, motivation, initiative, and perseverance this person created a positive change in our campus and community.  This student will also have an outstanding academic record. 

Leader of the Year: This award recognizes the student who has brought honor and prestige to Marshall University through selfless acts of leadership.  This individual will have demonstrated a commitment to individual leadership while displaying an overarching dedication to the campus community. 

Student Club/Organization Awards 

Most Outstanding New Student Organization: This award recognizes a new student organization for outstanding contributions to Marshall University and the student body. This organization will have addressed a need or community issue that had not previously been supported. Creativity, innovation, and sustainability in programming exemplify this organization. 

Outstanding Community Service Award: This award honors the club or organization that has made sustained contributions to Marshall University and the city of Huntington in the area of community service.  By providing programs and/or other opportunities for students to get involved, this club or organization will have shown dedication to selfless service and civic responsibility. 

Club/Organization Advisor of the Year Award: This award honors the advisor who has demonstrated extraordinary service to the student organization. The selected individual demonstrates a high level of commitment to the organization and they play a central role in assisting our student leaders to reach their highest potential. 

Outstanding New Member: The student receiving this award is a new member of a student organization who has contributed outstanding ideas and service to that organization and had a positive influence on the group. 

Student Club/Organization of the Year: This award recognizes a club or organization who has continually made significant contributions to its own membership, the student body, and the Marshall University community through programming, educational opportunities, and/or service projects. 

President of the Year Award: This award honors a president of a student organization who demonstrates exemplary leadership and has a positive influence on, not only the membership of the club or organization but the campus as a whole. 

Community Service Club/Organization of the Year Award: This award is given to a student organization whose mission is based on the tenant of community service.  Continually, this club selflessly gives time and energy to service projects throughout the academic year. 

Most Improved Club/Organization Award: This award honors the student club or organization that has shown significant improvement and increased contributions to the Marshall community.  This may be demonstrated by increase in membership, offered programs, or quality of contribution. 

Community Service Event of the Year: This award is given to the club or organization who has shown a tremendous impact within the community with their event. 

Hazing Prevention

Contacting Us

the LEAD Center
One John Marshall Drive
Huntington, WV 25755
Phone: 304-696-8832
Fax: 304-696-4347
Email Us: hermansd@marshall.edu