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Eagle Excellence Awards

The Eagle Excellence Awards is the awards ceremony hosted by the offices of Leadership & Community Engagement and Student Activities, departments within the Division of Student Affairs. For 26 years, the division has celebrated the many contributions Georgia Southern students, student organizations and organization advisors have made to our university as well as the community at large. This awards show will continue the celebration of student leaders and student organizations with a ceremony held on both the Statesboro and Savannah campuses.

Please see the award descriptions and links for the nominations forms below.  You may nominate yourself, a friend, student, colleague, or organization for an award by clicking the name of the appropriate award below.  There is a short nomination form for each award that provides necessary information to the Awards Selection Committee for awards consideration.  The Awards Selection Committee is comprised of representatives from across the Division of Student Affairs.  

Students in organizations, faculty, staff, and nominated individuals/organizations are welcome are invited to attend the Eagle Excellence Awards Show, where these awards will be presented to the selected nominees.

The Eagle Excellence Awards nominations process will open February 13th and close March 10th.

Individual Awards

HALL OF LEADERS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE & LEADERSHIP

This award is given to a select group of seniors who have demonstrated outstanding involvement with campus life and extracurricular activities and who, through this service, have exemplified a 4-year commitment to the positive enhancement of the Georgia Southern University campus.  On the Statesboro campus, this award is named in honor of Dr. John F. Nolen, Jr., a retired Georgia Southern University Vice President for Student Affairs.  On the Armstrong campus, this award is named in honor of Nick Mamalakis, a successful Savannah businessman and long time supporter of leadership initiatives in Savannah.  This is a one-time award.

SOUTHERN TALON AWARD 

Presented annually to students with above 60 credit hours who have exemplified a commitment to enhancing campus life at Georgia Southern. Students must demonstrate outstanding involvement at Georgia Southern. This is a one-time award.

RISING STAR AWARD 

Presented annually to rising student leaders with less than two years of dedicated involvement in student life, and who have exemplified a commitment to enhancing Georgia Southern campus life (sophomores and freshmen).  On the Statesboro campus, this award is named in honor of Dr. Todd Deal, Executive Director Emeritus of the Office of Leadership & Community Engagement for his long-time support of student and community leadership development.  On the Armstrong campus, this award is named in honor of Cliff McCurry, a successful Savannah businessman who has invested heavily in the leadership development of students throughout Savannah.  This is a one-time award.

GRADUATE STUDENT LEADERSHIP & SERVICE AWARD 

Presented to a graduate student who has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of leadership and involvement in student life during the past year. This is a one-time award.

EAGLES LEAD SCHOLARSHIP AWARD 

This $500 award is presented by the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs to two student leaders with at least one semester remaining, one on the Statesboro campus and one on the Armstrong campus, who were the Presidents of a registered student organization for the 2022-2023 academic year. This is a one-time award.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION LEADER OF THE YEAR

Presented to a Primary Student Leader/President who has demonstrated exemplary leadership skills within their organization, worked to enhance the mission of their organization, helped transform student life, and is excelling academically.

STUDENT ORGANIZATION ADVISOR OF THE YEAR 
This award recognizes the Primary Advisor that has shown a strong educational role within the organization and has contributed to overall student success. The nominee should demonstrate dedication, availability, and support in their involvement with their students and the organization. They should be valued and respected by those students with whom they work and have a strong understanding of the organization’s mission, values, needs and goals. Note: Only Primary Advisors listed on the organization roster through Student Activites are eligible for this award.
KATHRYN GRUBE UNSUNG HERO AWARDS

Named in honor of Georgia Southern University’s former first lady, Kathryn Grube, for her tireless efforts working to promote Georgia Southern and the community. One award recognizes a student and one honors a faculty or staff member for their behind-the-scenes contributions.

STUDENT 

This award recognizes a student, who does not hold an executive leadership position, for the work they do behind-the-scenes. Through work with their organization, he/she makes a positive impact by improving the organization.

FACULTY/STAFF

Presented to a member of the Georgia Southern faculty/staff not directly affiliated with any organization, but who has assisted an organization or organizations above and beyond the call of duty. This is a behind-the-scenes award for faculty or staff not directly linked to any one group or club.

HIGGS-MCCARTER ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP AWARD 

Presented to a student who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to their community through service with non-profit organizations.

TRACK YOUR IMPACT AWARDS

Students who tracked their volunteer efforts will be recognized for their efforts if they acquired 50 or 100 hours of eligible service during a 12 month time period. Students with 50 hours of service may receive a 50 hour award and those with 100 hours of service may receive The President’s Volunteer Service Award or the 100 hour award.

Group Awards

ORGANIZATION LEGACY AWARD 

Presented to an active, registered student organization, which has demonstrated a strong level of leadership, campus involvement, TRUE BLUE spirit, and community engagement throughout the year.

BEST OVERALL GPA FOR AN ORGANIZATION

Presented to the student organization with the highest overall GPA for the year.

PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
This award acknowledges a program hosted by an active registered student organization which showcases the values of their organization, highlights a campus/community concern, or builds university pride.
BEST COLLABORATIVE ORGANIZATION PROGRAM

Awarded to (two or more) registered student organizations that have successfully worked together to host an event or program that has had a positive impact in the Georgia Southern campus community.

BEST NEW STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes a newly active organization chartered in the 2021-2022 academic year that has demonstrated a strong level of leadership, campus involvement, and/or community engagement.

BEST DIVERSITY & INCLUSION EVENT

This award recognizes a student group for efforts that have enhanced the campus climate as it relates to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability and wellness. The organization thoroughly understands the value of having diverse perspectives within the campus community and works to create opportunities for inclusion throughout the year. They also understand the importance of challenging the status quo and applying it for positive change.

WINGS INCENTIVE PROGRAM AWARDS

The Wings Incentive Program was established to recognize those organizations who make it a priority to improve themselves as a whole, and the experience of each of their members. The Wings Incentive Program aims to provide opportunities for organizations to earn points from meaningful and productive experiences. Organizations will earn points that eventually will lead them to achieve either a bronze, silver, gold or platinum status.

Last updated: 4/27/2022