Office for Student Affairs > Student Recognition

Recognition Programs

The Office for Student Affairs takes pride in assisting the University to recognize the academic and co-curricular achievement of students. The following programs are University recognition opportunities available to all students.

President's Student Leadership and Service Award
Recognizes the exceptional leadership and service to the campus and the surrounding community made by outstanding student leaders at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. These awards are presented to approximately 0.5 percent of the student body.

Donald R. Zander Award for Outstanding Student Leadership
Donald Zander served as Associate Vice President in the Office for Student Affairs. He believed in the importance of standing up for what one believes in and working collaboratively to accomplish collective goals. When he retired, the Office for Student Affairs chose to recognize his dedication to student leadership by naming this award in his honor. Awarded as a $1,000 scholarship from the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, the Zander Award has traditionally been awarded to one male and one female undergraduate student in recognition of their exceptional academic achievement, personal character, and outstanding leadership and service of institutionwide significance. Candidates for the Zander Award must demonstrate both compassion for others and a high degree of personal integrity.

Mary A. McEvoy Award for Public Engagement and Leadership
This award shall be given annually to students who display leadership and public engagement that is clearly "above and beyond" one's normal duties and responsibilities. It shall be given to one graduate and one professional student who demonstrates dedication and assistance that benefits an individual, group or community or that strengthens the democratic way of life.

University of Minnesota Alumni Association Student Leadership Award
Eight $500 scholarships funded by the University of Minnesota Alumni Association will be awarded to undergraduate student leaders for their academic achievement, personal character, contributions to the University of Minnesota, and demonstrated leadership. Candidates for this award are selected from the finalists for the President's Student Leadership and Service Award.

Sharon L. Doherty Award
The Sharon L. Doherty Award was established in 1993 to recognize outstanding University of Minnesota student efforts that positively affect the campus climate for women students. This award consists of a $400 gift certificate and honors the work of former doctoral student and University of Minnesota alumna, Sharon Doherty, whose exhaustive efforts led to the successful Commission on Women's Students Initiative and continued University commitment to programming for women students. This award is sponsored by the Office of University Women and the Office for Multicultural and Academic Affairs, and is given to a University of Minnesota Twin Cities undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service concerning women's issues on campus or in the broader community.

Outstanding Student Employee Award
The Outstanding Student Employee Award seeks to recognize the top 10% of undergraduate student employees on the Twin Cities campus. There are students you employ who demonstrate skills and commitment that go above and beyond expectations. This award is also intended to recognize those students who demonstrate growth or a strong foundation of the Student Development Outcomes. All units/departments have the opportunity to select the recipients of this award from their own areas and based on their own selection process. As detailed below, each unit can award 10% of their student employees with this honor.

Please consult academic colleges, departments, and offices for other honors and recognition opportunities.