Binghamton University is proud to honor and recognize the outstanding achievements
of our students who shine in and out of the classroom, who lead by example and who
have made significant contributions to the University community.
This year's award gala will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023 at the DoubleTree in downtown Binghamton. All nominees and nominators are invited to attend.
Selection committee application (for staff)
If you are interested in reviewing student award applications as part of our awards
selection committee, please fill out the application here through B-Engaged.
Nominations for student awards
Nominations will open Feb. 20, 2023 — see information below to submit nominations which, along with all supporting application
materials, are due March 24, 2023 by 5 p.m. Nominations are through B-Engaged.
Baxter dressed to the nines in a custom tuxedo designed by the Theatre Department
costume shop.
The Student of Distinction Award is awarded to an undergraduate student who has created
a road map toward success. Eligibility requires engagement in at least one high-impact
learning endeavor resulting in a significant achievement and/or contribution to the
Binghamton University community. Awardees exemplify academic performance, extra-curricular
achievement, and service to the University and beyond. The award will be presented
by the University president on the basis of how the applicants' achievements have
contributed to the betterment of the University community.
Qualifications:
Full-time undergraduate student
Involvement in an organization(s)
Involvement in community service and/or philanthropic work
Achieves academic success
Participates in at least one high-impact learning experience (e.g. internship, education
abroad, undergraduate research, etc.)
Promotes the University (examples include but are not limited to: attending conference(s),
published work, projects in major)
Application process:
Nominations from faculty, staff, students and community partners are accepted; self-nominations
are also accepted and encouraged
Nominator should submit a letter of support outlining the student's qualifications
for this award
Completed application form on B-Engaged
Minimum GPA of 3.5
Current résumé or curriculum vitae that includes a list of extracurricular activities
Three letters of recommendation from either faculty, staff, other student leader or
a community partner who has worked with the student
If self-nominating, applicants should include one additional letter of support from
a faculty, staff, student or community partner familiar with their contributions and
work
The Residential Life Community Builder of the Year award recognizes an individual
who has demonstrated excellence in building 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
Showcases the learning that took place in their community as a result of their work
Exemplifies a commitment to serving others and building 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
The Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year Award recognizes the contributions
of an exceptional undergraduate student employee in the University community. The
selected student will have shown excellence in the areas of professionalism, initiative,
customer service, communication, teamwork/collaboration, and critical thinking, and
will have displayed a positive work ethic, demonstrated strong leadership qualities
within their role, and maintained a high quality level of work throughout their employment.
Qualifications:
Demonstrates contribution to the University as an undergraduate student employee
Has worked at least six months within the same undergraduate student employment position
Shows a positive work ethic and leadership ability within their undergraduate student
employment role
Consistently demonstrates high quality work
Application process:
Nominations from faculty, staff, students and community partners are accepted. Nominators
must submit the following materials to Student Employment via email to stemploy@binghamton.edu:
A nomination form
Student's job title, office of employment, time frame student has been employed in
position (month/year–month/year), and class year
A letter of support from the nominator outlining the student’s qualifications.
The letter of support should describe how the nominee has made a positive contribution
to the University through their student employment role as well as their duties and
accomplishments within their position. The committee will look for evidence of professionalism,
initiative, customer service, communication, and critical thinking, and whether the
nominee has demonstrated strong leadership qualities while contributing high quality
work throughout their employment.
The Graduate Student Employee of the Year Award recognizes the contributions of an
exceptional graduate student employee in the University community. The selected student
will have shown excellence in the areas of professionalism, initiative, customer service,
communication, teamwork/collaboration, and critical thinking, and will have displayed
a positive work ethic, demonstrated strong leadership qualities within their role,
and maintained a high quality level of work throughout their employment.
Qualifications:
Demonstrates contribution to the University as a graduate student employee
Has worked at least six months within the same graduate student employment position
Shows a positive work ethic and leadership ability within their graduate student employment
role
Consistently demonstrates high quality work
Application process:
Nominations from faculty, staff, students and community partners are accepted. Nominators
must submit the following materials to Student Employment via email to stemploy@binghamton.edu:
A nomination form
Student's job title, office of employment, time frame student has been employed in
position (month/year–month/year), and class year
A letter of support from the nominator outlining the student's qualifications
The letter of support should describe how the nominee has made a positive contribution
to the University through their student employment role as well as their duties and
accomplishments within their position. The committee will look for evidence of professionalism,
initiative, customer service, communication, and critical thinking, and whether the
nominee has demonstrated strong leadership qualities while contributing high quality
work throughout their employment.
This award recognizes an individual student who has demonstrated perseverance in the
face of hardships and obstacles often experienced by first-generation college students.
The selected student must identify as a first-generation college student. The successful
applicant will have a strong commitment to service, ideally through demonstrated experience
mentoring others. Preference will be given to participants of the BFirst Network,
a campus-wide mentoring program that connects first-generation college students with
first-generation faculty, staff, and alumni mentors through its programming.
Process of award selection:
Nominations must be from faculty, staff, alumni, and graduate students, with preference
given to those who serve as BFirst Mentors themselves, and/or who have an understanding
of the first-gen college student experience
Nomination letter outlining the student's qualifications (first-generation with demonstrated
perseverance and a commitment to service and/or mentorship)
As we hope this will be a pleasant surprise for the BFirst student who is selected,
we aim not to request any materials from the students themselves; nominations should
therefore be placed discreetly
All supporting documents and materials should be sent to bingawardsgala@gmail.com with "Resilience Award" in the title.
This award will be given to an undergraduate student who works to spread #BingPride
across campus (and/or in the community) as a proud Bearcat, participates in Green
Day Friday and works to engage other students to get involved in Binghamton campus
life.
Qualifications:
Spreads Bearcat pride in and outside the campus community
Participates in special programs that enhance Binghamton pride like Green Day Friday
Involved with campus life at Binghamton University
Attends events across campus
Application process:
A letter from staff/faculty/other students describing how the nominee displays Binghamton
Pride.
Submit a statement explaining why you are proud to be a Bearcat.
Submit photos (either from your phone, screenshots from social media posts, etc.)
that display your Bing Pride.
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
The Al Vos Excellence in Community Engagement Award recognizes an individual undergraduate
student who has 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 experiences, and more. This award honors Al Vos and his contributions to
creating a culture of community engagement at Binghamton and includes a $500 award.
Qualifications:
Demonstrates a commitment to engagement with community through collaboration and partnership
Provides evidence of how community voice is incorporated into their work and the impact
of their work in the community
Practices reflection and demonstrates 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.
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
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
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:
Demonstrates a commitment to civic involvement
Provides 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:
Nominations from faculty, staff, students and community partners are accepted. Self-nominations
are also accepted and encouraged.
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
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 2022–23 academic
year
Assisted in advancing the mission of their organization
Challenged and encouraged membership to create and/or support new initiatives, acquire
new skills, prepare for leadership transition and plan for ongoing success
Application process:
B-Engaged nomination form must be filled out by each nominator
Two letters of recommendation speaking to the individual's qualifications
A B-Engaged Involvement Transcript should be submitted
The Accomplished Graduate Student of the Year Award recognizes a graduate student
enrolled in a master’s or doctoral level program at Binghamton University who has
made distinguished contributions to their academic program, the student body, student
organizations, the Binghamton University community, and/or the Greater Binghamton
community.
Qualifications:
Must be a currently enrolled master's or doctoral level student at Binghamton University
Must provide evidence of distinguished contributions to their academic program, the
student body, student organizations, the Binghamton University community, and/or the
Greater Binghamton community
Application process:
If you are a student submitting this nomination for another student, please make sure
to ask a faculty or staff member to submit a letter of recommendation
If you are nominating yourself for this award, TWO letters of recommendation from
a current faculty or staff member are required
All faculty and staff nominating students should submit a letter of recommendation
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 Binghamton University 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:
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 Binghamton University community
All supporting materials should be emailed to bingawardsgala@gmail.com with "Outstanding Organization of the Year Award" in the title.
The Excellence in Community Engagement Award recognizes a student organization that
has demonstrated excellence in community engagement. The selected organization 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. 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.
Qualifications:
Demonstrates a commitment to engagement with community through collaboration and partnership
Provides evidence of how community voice is incorporated into their work
Articulates 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.
If nominating an organization, 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
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 Binghamton University 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
