undergraduate student leader awards
The Undergraduate Student Leadership Awards celebrate the dedication, passion, and impact of UMaine students who go above and beyond to strengthen our campus community. These awards recognize individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, service, and commitment to fostering a unique, connected, and engaged student experience. Through their hard work and dedication, these students play a vital role in building a supportive and dynamic UMaine environment, leaving a lasting legacy for their peers and future generations.
Awards Hosted by the Center for Student Involvement
The Change Maker Award is given to an undergraduate student who embodies being a change maker within our campus community (making great strides to creatively improve campus). Named in honor of Robert Q. Dana, UMaine’s Dean of Students, who champions change that is courageous, committed, and community focused.
The Chandrasekar ‘07 & Do ‘08 Outstanding Student Leader of the Year award is awarded to an undergraduate student who has shown great accomplishments in their efforts out of the classroom. The individual is typically a junior or senior.
The Chandrasekar ‘07 & Do ‘08 Emerging Student Leader of the Year award is awarded to an undergraduate student who has shown potential growth in their efforts out of the classroom. The individual is typically a first-year, sophomore or transfer student; however, that is not required. This award is open to all undergraduate students.
The Event of the Year award is given to a recognized student organization that has shown extraordinary achievements in a program/event during the last academic year. The program must have been open to the entire campus community and have been held on campus.
The Outstanding Collaboration Award is awarded to any student, faculty, staff member, recognized student organization, university department, or community business/organization for significant contributions to the University of Maine and Division of Student Life. This nominee must have specific experience with collaboration and working with others in their endeavors.
Awarded to a student organization, officially affiliated with the Division of Student Life, for its success and support of student development, leadership, involvement and showing the strength of the University of Maine community. This organization has distinguished itself from other organizations by the way they demonstrate exceptional leadership from officers and members, executing programs and activities that positively impact student success.
Awards Hosted by Fraternity and Sorority Life
The fraternity man of the year award is named after Dean William T. Lucy (Phi Kappa Tau), Dean Emeritus of Student Activities who was the Greek Life advisor for over 20 years. The criterion for this award is excellence in chapter involvement, campus involvement, and scholastics.
The sorority woman of the year is awarded to a sorority sister who excels in her efforts to improve Greek life on campus, improve life here at the University of Maine and in the surrounding community, and strives to achieve academically. The sorority woman of the year award is based on excellence in the areas of chapter involvement, campus involvement, and scholastics.
The fraternity of the year award is named after Michael G. Dionne, a Phi Eta Kappa Fraternity brother. The award recognizes an undergraduate fraternity at the University of Maine, judged to have the highest all around qualities of sportsmanship, fraternity spirit and character, member and chapter involvement with the campus and the community, scholastic and athletic achievement, and internal chapter development.
In the year 2000, this award was named to honor Natalie Bayliss, a Delta Delta Delta sister. This award recognizes an undergraduate sorority at the University of Maine, judged to excel in their efforts to improve the campus and the surrounding community, sets an example on campus for scholastic and athletic achievement, and internal chapter development.
The Ryan Quinn Fraternity Traditionalism and Engagement Award recognizes a chapter’s commitment to preserving and promoting the time-honored traditions of fraternity life, while fostering meaningful connections within both the alumni and the broader Greek and campus communities.
This award honors chapters that demonstrate outstanding dedication to organizing programs, events, and initiatives that strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and contribute to a vibrant, inclusive campus environment. This includes cultivating lasting relationships with alumni, promoting collaboration across the Greek system, and engaging in campus-wide activities that reflect the values of tradition, leadership, and community service.
The recipient chapter exemplifies the highest standards of fraternity life, balancing respect for tradition with active engagement in fostering unity and involvement throughout the campus and beyond.
This award is designed to recognize the continued excellence of a chapter by following the traditions started by their founders and alumnae whose traditions have contributed to a positive college experience. The criterion for this award is outstanding achievement in upholding the chapter’s traditions and rituals, and alumni programming.
The Russell Crouse Award is named after a Phi Kappa Sigma brother who tirelessly worked for the community in and outside of his chapter. His life was cut short in June of 1995 in a tragic car accident and the chapter continues to sadly miss their dearly departed brother. In recognition and in honor of his life, the Interfraternity Council names the best display of community service in his memory. The winner of this award will exemplify commitment to the university, the community, and the entire surrounding area by volunteering countless hours of time and money to a variety of causes.
Aimee was an active and outgoing member of her community, having graduated alongside her Houlton High School classmates in 2000. As a 1997 Wish Child of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she participated in fundraising events with her Chi Omega sisters to support the foundation’s mission. She was delighted to learn of Chi Omega’s national alliance with Make-A-Wish and shared her personal experiences, inspiring the chapter through her story.
The fraternity president of the year award is named for Andrew McMillan, president of Beta Theta Pi, who passed away July 1, 2003. Andrew was a role model for others looking to live up to their chapter’s Greek ideals. Andrew was always there to provide leadership and support for the members of the Beta Eta chapter both as individuals and as part of the Beta Theta Pi brotherhood.
This award honors sorority presidents who excel in providing leadership and guidance to their chapters. The basis for this award is excellence in leadership, community service, scholastics, and exemplary character.
This award is named in honor of Todd “Muddy” Sherman, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother. The award is named in his honor because of his diligent efforts to improve his own chapter. Each year this award is given to the fraternity here at the University of Maine that has shown the most improvement from the previous academic year.
This award recognizes the sorority that has had to confront challenges and has risen to overcome obstacles in the areas of recruitment, academics, programming, and campus involvement.
The Andrew David Gerke Award is presented in memory of Andrew David Gerke, a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, who passed away on April 14, 2009. Andrew was a true role model and mentor to many, and truly exemplified what it means to be a “brother.” Andrew’s presence had a way of unifying his brothers and his involvement on campus was an example to many. During his time at the University of Maine Andrew worked hard to make sure the Greek System grew strong, but his true mission was making sure the Greek Community was a unified force.
Awards Hosted by the Office of Community and Connections
The Community and Connections Student Engagement Award honors a student or group who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to enhancing diversity and promoting inclusivity through active engagement and leadership within the campus community.
The Community and Connections Award celebrates an individual or group who has made significant contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the UMaine community through impactful initiatives, advocacy, and leadership.
The Sharon Barker Student Activism Award honors UMaine students seeking to implement positive change in their communities by fostering equity and social justice.
Awards Hosted by The VETS Center
Awards Hosted by The Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism
Awards Hosted by Title IX Student Services
The Peer Advocacy Award is presented to a student who selflessly volunteers their time to serve as a resource to their peers on the University of Maine campus. This individual will be recognized for their advocacy, their commitment to supporting students and their passion for assisting Title IX Student Services in their mission of encouraging healthy relationships and promoting a safe community for everyone.
Awards Hosted by Student Wellness
This award highlights student who has focused a great amount of time and energy into focusing on the well-being of their peers. Their accomplishments, as well as their drive, is indicative of their character and respect for others.
Awards Hosted by Residence Life
An RA that has excelled in their position and contributes to the mission and vision of Residence Life.
A first year RA who has excelled in their position.
Someone who shows an outstanding commitment to community service. This could be through the department or their own personal lives.
This award recognizes someone who does things that contribute to the overall mission and vision of Residence Life that does not normally get recognized.