Â鶹Éç Student Awards

Student Awards Gala, Â鶹Éç, hosted by the Divisipon of Student Affairs

Nominations

Â鶹Éç's Student Awards celebrate and honor the outstanding achievements of those who shine in and out of the classroom, who lead by example and who have made significant contributions to the University community. All nominees will be invited* to attend the Â鶹Éç Student Awards Gala and award ceremony on May 5, 2026. 

All nominations and supporting materials are due by:
5 p.m. on March 27, 2026. 

All nomination criteria, requirements and forms for individuals, organizations or faculty, staff and administrators can be found below under 'Awards'.

If you have any questions regarding the nomination process, please contact us at campusactivities@binghamton.edu

*Invitations to the Gala are limited to nominees, their nominator, award presenters and the Gala committee. One nominator per nominee. We are unable to accommodate selection committee members or additional letter writers (when required beyond the initial nomination) at this time.

Awards

Individual students

  • Student of Distinction Award

    Â鶹Éç:

    The Student of Distinction Award is presented annually to one undergraduate Junior or Senior who demonstrates exceptional leadership and student engagement beyond the classroom through active involvement in campus organizations, student initiatives, and co-curricular programs.

    This prestigious award recognizes a student who takes initiative, motivates peers, and has made a significant and lasting impact on the campus community. The recipient has held leadership positions, organized and led programs or events, strengthened student organizations, and/or fostered a positive and inclusive campus environment.

    The selected student exemplifies integrity, collaboration, and dedication to enhancing student life and serves as a role model for undergraduate leadership.

    Eligibility:

    • Must be a Junior or Senior undergraduate student
    • Demonstrated leadership and sustained involvement in student organizations and campus activities (which can also include but not limited to Residential Life experience, community service and/or philanthropic work).
    • Evidence of initiative, impact, and character

    Application Process:

    • A nomination form must be submitted via B-Engaged.
    • In addition - the nominator should submit a letter of support outlining the student’s qualifications for this award. 
    • This award requires two additional recommendation letters which should be a mix from faculty, staff, other student leaders or a community partner who has worked with the student.
    • A current resume with a list of extracurricular activities listed. 
    • If self-nominating, applicants must include four letters of support from a faculty, staff, student or community partner familiar with their contributions and work. 
    • All letters of support and recommendation should be emailed to campusact@binghamton.edu.

  • Residential Life Community Builder of the Year award

    Â鶹Éç:

    The Residential Life Community Builder of the Year award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated excellence in developing their community including helping to create a welcoming environment, promoting student engagement and connecting residents to resources and opportunities.

    Qualifications:

    • Demonstrates a commitment to engagement 
    • Exemplifies a commitment to serving others and developing community
    • Serves as a positive role model for their peers

    Application process:

    Nominations from faculty, staff, students and community partners are accepted. Self-nominations are also accepted and encouraged. Nominators must submit the following materials:

    • A personal statement from the student or nominating party outlining their qualifications for the award that includes: an outline of contributions to the community through essay or portfolio
    • A letter of support from a direct supervisor, advisor or staff member

  • Excellence in Residential Student Experience

    Â鶹Éç:

    The Excellence in the Residential Student Experience award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated superior support for the student experience through their role in Residential Life. Engaging in their responsibilities to support residents in their lives outside of the classroom. Providing resources, reliably performing their job responsibilities and improving the overall quality of the campus living experience.

    Qualifications:

    • Demonstrates a commitment to the student experience 
    • Exemplifies a commitment to serving others and developing community
    • Serves as a positive role model for their peers

    Application process:

    Nominations from faculty, staff, students and community partners are accepted. Self-nominations are also accepted and encouraged. Nominators must submit the following materials:

    • A personal statement from the student or nominating party outlining their qualifications for the award that includes: an outline of contributions to the student experience through an essay or portfolio
    • A letter of support from a direct supervisor, advisor, or staff member

  • Resilience Award (BFirst Network)

    Â鶹Éç:

    The BFirst Network, a campus-wide mentoring program that connects first-generation college students with first-generation faculty, staff and alumni mentors, is happy to offer the BFirst Resilience Award to a student who identifies as a first-generation college student.  The successful applicant will have demonstrated perseverance in the face of hardship(s) and obstacles often experienced by first-generation college students. Ideally, the applicant will have a strong commitment to service, through demonstrated experience mentoring others. 

    Process of award selection:

    Please submit the following supporting documents:

    • Nominations must be from faculty, staff, alumni and graduate students, who have an understanding of the first-gen college student experience
    • Nominators must complete the form below, submit a Nomination letter outlining the student's qualifications (first-gen with demonstrated perseverance and a commitment to service and/or mentorship) and provide a copy of the student's most recent resume

  • Best All Around New Bearcat Award

    Â鶹Éç:

    The Best All Around New Bearcat Award will be given to the two new full-time Binghamton University undergraduate students — one first-year student and one transfer student — who not only show a dedication to their academics, but have also taken the initiative to get involved in a range of extracurricular activities on campus their first semester. B-Engaged User Leaderboard points will also be considered. Award recipients to be determined by the Student Affairs Assessment and Solutions for Engagement (SAASE) staff.

    Qualifications:

    • New full-time undergraduate student (first year or transfer)
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA
    • Minimum membership in at least two B-Engaged groups

    Application process:

    Please submit the following supporting documents:

    • 1 - 3 paragraphs highlighting why you feel the nominee is qualified.
    • One letter of support from faculty, professional staff person or organization officer with the application.
      B-Engaged Transcript highlighting activities and involvement at Â鶹Éç.

  • Al Vos Excellence in Community Engagement Award

    Â鶹Éç:

    This Award recognizes undergraduate students who have demonstrated excellence in community engagement. The selected student will have engaged in community work that emphasizes community voice, is mutually beneficial to campus and community, and demonstrates an emphasis on partnership and collaboration with community. The successful applicant will also show evidence of reflection and learning through community work. This may be demonstrated by connecting engagement with academic knowledge or professional development, a willingness to challenge assumptions and gain a deeper understanding of our community, or the pursuit of long-term social change. This award will consider a range of engagement activities, including course-based community engagement, community-engaged research, individual service, community-based internship experience, and more. The selected student will receive a $500 award.

    Qualifications:

    • Demonstrate a commitment to engagement with community through collaboration
      and partnership 
    • Provide evidence of how community voice is incorporated into their work
    • Articulate the impact of their work on the community
    • Practice reflection and demonstrate how their community experiences have
      enhanced their academic knowledge, professional development, understanding of
      community, and/or pursuit of long-term positive change.

    Application process:

    Nominations from faculty, staff, students and community partners are accepted.  Self-nominations are also accepted and encouraged.

    • A letter of support from the nominator outlining the student’s qualifications
    • If self-nominating, a personal statement outlining the student’s qualifications for the award
    • A resume
    • A letter of support from a community partner who has worked with the student in the development and/or implementation of their community engagement work

  • Excellence in Civic Engagement Award (Individual)

    Â鶹Éç:

    The Excellence in Civic Engagement Award recognizes an individual undergraduate student who has demonstrated excellence in civic engagement. The selected student will have engaged in civic action that addresses issues of local or national concern, including but not limited to racial justice, public policy, social inequity, or voter engagement. The successful applicant will provide evidence of the depth of civic engagement, for example through a focus on long-term social change, collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and/or reflection on how their civic action connects to their academic, personal, and/or professional growth. This award will consider a range of civic actions, including nonpartisan voter engagement, activism, advocacy, awareness-raising campaigns, and more. Activities may take place on campus or in the community. The selected student will receive a $500 award.

    Qualifications:

    • Demonstrate a commitment to civic involvement.  
    • Provide evidence of how civic actions emphasize a focus on long-term social change, collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and/or a connection to academic, personal or professional growth.

    Application process:

    • If nominating a student, a letter of support from the nominator outlining the student’s qualifications.
    • If self-nominating, a personal statement outlining the student’s qualifications for the award.
    • A resume.
    • Optional: A letter of support from a campus or community-based group that has worked with the student in developing or implementing their civic activities.

  • Student Organization President of the Year Award

    Â鶹Éç:

    The Student Organization President of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding undergraduate student who publicly advanced the mission of their organization while internally challenged and encouraged the membership to advance new initiatives, acquire new skills, and prepare the group for leadership transition and ongoing success. The nominee must be serving in at least their second consecutive semester as president.

    Qualifications:

    • Must have been president of a recognized student organization for the 2025-2026 academic year
    • Has assisted in advancing the mission of their organization
    • Has challenged and encouraged the membership to 1) create and/or support new initiatives, 2) acquire new skills, 3) prepare for leadership transition and 4) plan for ongoing success.

    Application process:

    Please submit the following supporting documents:

    • B-Engaged Nomination Form must be filled out by each nominator along with a letter of support.
    • Two letters of recommendation speaking to the individual's qualifications (separate from the nomination letter(s) of support). 
    • A B-Engaged Involvement Transcript should be submitted.

  • Mary V. Faughnan Memorial Award

    Â鶹Éç/Qualifications:
    Presented to a graduating senior who, through their own high standards for individual conduct and participation in campus activities, contributes to the quality of campus Life. 

    Application process:
    Email a letter of recommendation to Christopher Downey at cdowney@binghamton.edu with the title of the award as the subject.

  • Kristen Faust Memorial Award

    Â鶹Éç/Qualifications:
    Presented annually to a graduating senior with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.  The award will be given to academically gifted individuals demonstrating a strong commitment to social work and/or counseling.  The recipient will be selected by a committee comprised of staff from the University Counseling Center and the Department of Social Work.

    Application process:
    Email a letter of recommendation to Christopher Downey at cdowney@binghamton.edu with the title of the award as the subject.

  • Bruce Weinberg Memorial Award

    Â鶹Éç/Qualifications: 
    Established in memory of a psychology student who died in 1981. Presented to a student involved in psychological counseling services for students in need, preferably to a student studying psychology; recipient selected by a committee comprised of members of the Psychological Counseling Services center and faculty from the Psychology Department.

    Application process:
    Email a letter of recommendation to Christopher Downey at cdowney@binghamton.edu with the title of the award as the subject.

  • David L. Anderson Award for Student Excellence

    Â鶹Éç/Qualifications:
    Presented to a graduating senior who demonstrates excellence in character by improving the quality of life for Binghamton students through student development activities, being active in community service, and participating in and contributing to campus organizations. The selected student will receive a $500 award.

    Application process:
    The recipient will be selected from nominations by staff within the Division of Student Affairs.

Student Organizations

  • Excellence in Community Engagement Award (Organization)

    Â鶹Éç:

    This award recognizes the most outstanding contributions made by a student organization(s) for developing and implementing a community service activity, civic engagement project, or philanthropic endeavor that met or advances the needs of the University or local community. The award celebrates community work that is based on collaboration and positively impacts both students and the community. The recipient of this award will have demonstrated an exceptional record of service to the local community. This award will particularly highlight projects that are based on ongoing partnership with community organization(s), but community projects of all types will be considered. The selected student organization will receive a $500 award.

    Qualifications:

    • Demonstrate a commitment to engagement with community through collaboration and partnership
    • Provide evidence of how community voice is incorporated into their work
    • Articulate the impact of their community work, both to students and the community

    Application process:

    Nominations from faculty, staff, students and community partners are accepted. Self-nominations are also accepted and encouraged.

    • Nominators should submit a letter of support outlining the student organization’s qualifications
    • If self-nominating, a statement from student organization leader(s) outlining their qualifications for the award
    • A letter of support from a community partner who has worked with the student organization in the development and/or implementation of their community engagement work

  • Outstanding Organization of the Year Award

    Â鶹Éç:

    The Outstanding Organization of the Year Award seeks to recognize one University recognized student organization that has demonstrated true excellence among its peers and within the University community.  Application materials must demonstrate the organization's contribution to the overall University community, contribution to the development of its members, and demonstrated commitment to the organization's purpose and those served by it. The organization must also be able to demonstrate significant development in areas that may include innovation, inclusiveness and creative programming, as well as outreach within the University community and the local community.

    Qualifications:

    • A contribution to the overall Â鶹Éç community
    • A contribution to the development of its members, and commitment to the organization's purpose and those served by it
    • Significant development in innovative and creative programming
    • Outreach within the University community and the local community

    Application process:

    Please submit the following supporting documents:

    • B-Engaged nomination form must be filled out by each nominator
    • Three letters of recommendation speaking to the organization's qualifications and impact on the Â鶹Éç community

Faculty, staff and administrators

  • Bearcat Award for Outstanding Service and Support

    Â鶹Éç:

    The Bearcat Award for Outstanding Service and Support Award recognizes a faculty, staff member or administrator who goes above and beyond to help students. This award is intended to encourage and reward faculty and/or staff members for their excellence and show the value they hold for our University.

    Qualifications:

    • Must have been employed full-time at Â鶹Éç during the past academic year
    • Demonstrates a strong dedication to student needs
      Has a passion for inspiring students to discover and achieve their full potential during their time at the University

    Application process:

    Members of the University community are invited to submit the name of an outstanding faculty or staff member

    • The nominator needs to write a letter of recommendation detailing the contributions of the nominee, stating clearly how the nominee(s) directly or indirectly support(s) students.
    • The nominator or nominee has the option of including up to four supporting items, such as other letters of recommendation.