Student Leadership Awards

Student Leadership Awards Nomination Process

Please take some time to read the descriptions of the awards below and nominate students or student groups for the Student Leadership Awards. You are welcome to nominate individuals or groups for more than one award. Individuals and groups are not able to nominate themselves.

**Nomination Deadline for the Student Leadership Awards is April 16, 2024**

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to nominate students or student organizations for any of the awards listed below.

Thank you for your help to honor and celebrate our students in this way.

List of Awards:

Peter Kohn Service Award

Presented annually to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the spirit of community and service demonstrated by Peter Kohn.

Angels Award

Awarded annually to a sophomore woman of color who throughout her first year demonstrated leadership, scholarship, and activism in the college community. The purpose of the award is to encourage academic excellence and affirm the important role of diversity on campus.

Alexander Twilight 1823 Diversity and Community Leadership Award

Given to the student who best exemplifies Twilight’s leadership and determination to effect change within the Middlebury community by transcending boundaries of race, class, and gender through active collaboration.

Scott Center Interfaith Cooperation Award

Given to a student, students or student groups that actively promote and facilitate interfaith understanding, communication, or programming.

Scott Center Spiritual Life Innovation Award

Given to a student or student group that shows unusual originality in the development of religious activities on campus, or that provides a unique expression of serious engagement with religious and moral issues.

Scott Center Spiritual Life Leadership Award

Given to a student who advances spiritual life on campus or supports the spiritual journey of peers through prayer, study, or other activities.

Community and Service Awards

First-Year Community and Service Award

Awarded annually to a well-rounded first-year student who demonstrates academic excellence and relates well to others. 

Franklin G. Williams 1913 and Sara H. Williams 1912 Memorial Award

Awarded to a sophomore student on the basis of deep human qualities of natural kindness, perceptivity of the needs and feelings of others, and an abiding sense of personal responsibility.

Junior Community and Service Award

Awarded annually to a well-rounded junior student who demonstrates academic excellence and relates well to others. 

Barbara J. Buchanan ‘62 Memorial Prize

Established in 1962 in memory of Barbara Buchanan ‘62. Awarded to a graduating senior woman who represents Barbara’s academic excellence and her ideal of service.

Leadership Awards

Extraordinary Emerging Leader

This award recognizes a first-year student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership or involvement at Middlebury College. This individual will have an established dedication to organizing events/activities and will have actively worked to improve Middlebury College and/or the greater community.

Baumgarten ‘98 and Udzenija ‘99 Student Government Association Memorial Award

Presented annually to a student in the sophomore class who personifies excellent academic achievement and a unique passion for learning, significant involvement in the Middlebury College community, and a genuine commitment to and compassion for others.

Miguel Sanchez-Tortoledo Outstanding Campus Leader

This award recognizes a junior who has shown outstanding leadership during their Middlebury experience, much in spirit of Miguel Sanchez-Tortoledo ‘23. Miguel, a prominent friend and member of the Student Government Association [SGA] carried himself with charm and grace as he advocated for the needs of his peers. This award will be given to a student that through innovation, motivation, initiative, and perseverance will have demonstrated a commitment to creating positive change in our campus community.

Outstanding Leadership in Community Award

This award recognizes a senior student who’s outstanding leadership and service has greatly benefitted the Middlebury College community. This individual will have an established dedication to motivating the actions and ideas of others, organizing events/activities/initiatives, and will have actively worked to improve Middlebury College and/or the greater community.

Group Awards

Extraordinary Initiative

An exceptional program, presentation, production or cultural event that is created and executed by a student, group of students or student organization. The program must be original in theme, timely and appropriate, and have a significant positive impact on Middlebury College and/or the greater community.

Outstanding New Organization Award

Given to a newly formed organization in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Middlebury College community. This organization will have addressed a present need or community issue. Creativity, innovation and sustainable programming exemplify this organization. The following new student orgs are currently eligible:

• Association for Women in Mathematics
• Hindu Student Association
• Middlebury Jewelry Club
• Middlebury Jiu Jitsu Club
• Voices of Indigenous Peoples
• West Asian North African Students’ Association

Outstanding Overall Achievement Award

Given to an organization in recognition of outstanding sustained contributions to the Middlebury College and/or the greater community. Creativity, innovation, and sustainability in programming exemplify this organization. Current members of an organization may nominate their own group if it meets the above criteria.