Awards

Towson University benefits from the vibrancy created by student organizations and leaders. Each year we have the opportunity to recognize the contributions of outstanding members to the TU community through their involvement on campus. The Student Affairs Leadership Awards are sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Government Association and managed by the Office of Student Activities.  

Nominations typically open for three weeks each March, and are awarded in early May at the Student Affairs Leadership Awards Ceremony. Below is a list of award categories that individuals may nominate for, as well as additional awards that are selected directly by sponsoring campus partners. Additionally, there are scholarships students may apply for that will also be celebrated at the ceremony.

 Nominate for this year's awards through Involved@TU. 

Scholarships

This scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership. The applicant must be actively engaged with at least one formal leadership development program hosted by a department of Towson University. Eligibility is limited to full-time students entering their junior year of study who possess a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Multiple non-renewable scholarships may be awarded. 

In her memory, family, friends, alumni, and the Division of Student Affairs established the Marion B. Hoffman Ethical Leadership Award scholarship to students who qualify for the Vice President of Student Affairs Award and who demonstrate integrity in their decision making as leaders. A $1,000 non-renewable scholarship is awarded to the winner. Nominees must be a rising junior or senior, and returning to TU for the upcoming fall semester. Nominees will be contacted for their resume after the nomination has been submitted. 

This scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and good citizenship. Applicants must have participated in athletics (either varsity or intramural), must have been engaged fully in university life, and contributed significantly to the University community. Applicants must be in good academic standing, with a minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA. Multiple non-renewable scholarships may be awarded. 

Individual Student Awards

This award recognizes an individual student who works a minimum of ten hours per week. Nominees must show proof of working on campus or with a campus affiliated program for at least six months of the current academic year.  Nominees are selected based on reliability, quality of work, initiative, disposition, and contribution to employer. Nominees must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

This award recognizes a student who displays eco-friendly behavior, educates their peers about sustainability, and significantly contributes to environmental activism on TU’s campus. This student is an exemplary model for others, demonstrating and engaging the Towson community in sustainable initiatives.

This award recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated continual leadership and service to the University through student organization, department or university committee participation, academic achievement, and outstanding contributions to campus life within their area of student life. Nominees must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA.

This award is named in honor of Mary Leeper, Towson University's former SGA Administrative Assistant, who passed away in 2021 after almost 30 years at TU., this award recognizes a freshman or sophomore student who is actively involved in campus life and demonstrates a potential for leadership. This student has made a significant contribution to their organization and/or impact on campus. A $1,000 award will be given to the recipient. Nominees must be returning students for the upcoming fall semester and must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

This award recognizes a student who has made significant contributions to their organization, without holding an executive position. This student is a role model behind the scenes and a positive influence on the entire group.

Named in honor of Raft Woodus, former director of Student Success Programs, who shaped the lives of TU students for over 40-years, tirelessly advocating on behalf of first generation and other underrepresented students. This award is given to a student that has demonstrated the ability or organize, lead, engage and advocate for social justice issues that impact the lives of students and the TU community as a whole.

This award recognizes a student who has shown a dedication and commitment to making sure TU Dreamers have access to resources and support that can benefit them during their time here at Towson. Nominees must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

This award recognizes an international student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service to the university and is committed to enhancing the experiences of international students on campus. Nominees must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

This award recognizes a student who supports the identities under the LGBTQ+ umbrella and have demonstrated a commitment to advance the rights and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community on campus. 

This award recognizes a student on an executive board of an organization who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the TU community, academic achievement, and outstanding contributions to campus life. This student shows a dedication and commitment to advancing the mission of their organization and contributes to the greater good of the TU community. A $1,000 award will be given to the recipient. Nominees must be returning for the upcoming fall semester and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

The Tiger Pride Award recognizes two graduating seniors who have made significant contributions to enhance the lives of those within and beyond the Towson community. In particular, the recipients demonstrate qualities stated in the Tiger Pledge: responsibility for their behavior, an excellent work ethic, respect for themselves and others, involvement with campus and community, and a spirit of optimism. Nominees must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Nominees will be contacted for their resume after nomination has been submitted.

This award recognizes a student on an executive board of an organization who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the TU community, academic achievement, and outstanding contributions to campus life. This student shows a dedication and commitment to advancing the mission of their organization and contributes to the greater good of the TU community. A $1,000 award will be given to the recipient. Nominees must be returning for the upcoming fall semester and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

The VPSA Award recognizes a broad base of Towson students who have demonstrated continual leadership and service to the University through student organizations, university committee participation, academic achievement and outstanding contributions to campus lifeNominees must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Nominees will be contacted for their resume after nomination has been submitted.

Faculty/Staff Awards

Named in honor Margie Tversky, former Director of Student Services at Towson University in Northeastern Maryland, for her many years of selfless dedication to mentoring student leaders and enhancing the student experience at Towson, this award recognizes a faculty or staff member who has provided a student organization with outstanding support and services in the role of an advisor during the academic year.

This award recognizes an office, faculty, or staff member who has fostered professionalism, provided proper training, organization, and planning to help students succeed in their job. Nominees must have supervised student employees for a minimum of six months within the past academic year.

This award recognizes a faculty member who develops and teaches a course with a service-learning component with evidence of innovative ways of employing a reflective teaching methodology to connect service-learning with academic studyThe nominee will also have demonstrated leadership that promotes service-learning within one’s discipline, and participates in engaged scholarship (i.e. research, published materials, and presentations) on service-learning or community-based research.

Student Organization Awards Category

The New Organization of the Year Award is given in recognition of a student organization new to Towson’s campus for the corresponding academic year. This award celebrates their accomplishments and growth throughout their first semesters on campus. A $1,000 award will be given to the organization for the next academic year.

This award recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated innovation and perseverance as they have worked to build community in-person and / or virtually. The organization has utilized multiple forms of engagement to help members build connections with one another and the campus community. A $1,000 award will be given to an organization for the next academic year.

Named in honor of former Towson University President, the Hoke L. Smith Organization of the Year Award recognizes a student organization that has impacted the TU community through membership development, leadership, programming, and service. In addition, the organization has made a consistent contribution to campus life. A $1,000 award will be given to the organization for the next academic year.

Program Awards Category

The Outstanding Multicultural Program Award recognizes a specific program sponsored by a student organization or multiple organizations that has increased cultural awareness and appreciation of differences beyond the mission of the organization. Virtual and in-person programs are eligible for this award. A $1,000 award will be given to the organization for the next academic year

The Outstanding Program Award recognizes a program, virtual or in-person, sponsored by a student organization that has significantly impacted campus life and generated substantial interest in the campus community. A $1,000 award will be given to the organization for the next academic year.

Additional Awards

The sport club for the year is recognized for being the standard of Towson University’s Sports Club program. The award is presented to the club that shows commitment to developing its members, building a connected community, and supporting TU’s mission of creating a vibrant and healthy campus. They have demonstrated the highest degree of organization and commitment to its members by exceeding tier requirements and continuously improving their club. This award is sponsored by Campus Recreation.

This award is presented to the individual that best represents the spirit of sports clubs – the person that encourages involvement, increases morale and is a true leader. Navigating around the obstacles of academics, personal agendas, and sport club guidelines and procedures, these leaders accept and welcome the challenges to lead their club to success and leave a positive legacy. This award is sponsored by Campus Recreation.

The Dr. Teresa Hall Chapter of the Year award is the highest award bestowed by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to an individual chapter. It is presented to the chapter whom, through the work of its members, has made significant contributions to both the Greek Community and to Towson University as a whole. The winner of this award must contribute positively to all facets of the Greek community.

This award recognizes a class of leaders in the community with an exceptional commitment to their chapter, council and Towson community at large. This recognition is the highest recognition award anyone can receive as a Towson Greek Life member and reflects on a person who exceeds all expectations and sets the precedent for future members of Fraternity and Sorority Life. 

Sponsored by the Office of Inclusion & Institutional Equity, this award is given to a graduate or doctoral student who is recognized for fostering greater awareness, understanding and advancement of diversity and inclusiveness that have made an impact at TU.

Mary Lee Farlow served over 30 years as Director of Residence Life and oversaw all on-campus housing. In Mary Lee’s honor, this scholarship is awarded by Residence Life to an outstanding resident student leader(s) at the end of the spring semester. The recipient(s) must be a current resident student leader who has served for a minimum of two semesters (including the current semester). Evidence of this leadership would be demonstrated by assisting other resident student leaders, contributing to a positive community, promoting student success, and going above and beyond the expectations of any organizational or employment role they hold.