The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards recognize student accomplishment in the areas of Research, Leadership and Engagement. Students will be recognized at the fall College of Agriculture Scholarship and Awards Banquet.

Nominations are currently closed.

Eligibility:

  • Any level of student, must be enrolled in MSU COA for the Fall term in which the award is given.
  • Each department (Agricultural Economics and Economics, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Animal and Range Sciences, Agricultural and Technology Education, Microbiology and Cell Biology, and Land Resources and Environmental Sciences) may submit one nomination for each of the three award areas - Leadership, Engagement and Research.

Application:

Submit nominee's resume and one letter of nomination for each award area from the department head, departmental award committee or designated faculty. Email nominations to Jennifer Thomson (jennifer.thomson@montana.edu). Nomination processes for each of the three awards are outlined below.

 

Explain the problem(s) that the nominee worked on, its significance to the field, what was challenging about the work and – most importantly – the nominee’s contributions.  Be specific, as it is critical for the committee to understand and evaluate the contributions of the nominee; if the project involved other people, the nominee’s contributions be described explicitly. The letter may also address the nominee’s service (e.g., club leadership, teaching, tutoring) or other relevant factors.

  • record of sustained commitment to developing research skills and knowledge under the supervision of a faculty mentor
  • evidence of independent and critical thinking
  • active participation in research activities on campus and/or professional societies
  • positive contributions to the research culture of the department, college and university

Explain the depth of leadership roles and the impact the nominee had in these roles, significance to their field, what was challenging about the work and – most importantly – the nominee’s contributions.  Be specific, as it is critical for the committee to understand and evaluate the contributions of the nominee; if the project(s) involved other people, it’s important that the nominee’s contributions be described explicitly. The letter may also address the nominee’s service (e.g., club leadership, teaching, tutoring) or other relevant factors.

  • record of formal and/or informal leadership through curricular activities, clubs, and organizations
  • evidence of impact in the leadership role(s)
  • active participation in leadership activities on campus and/or professional societies
  • positive contributions to the leadership culture of the department, college, and university

Explain the engagement activities of the nominee and their impact, what was challenging about the work and – most importantly – the nominee’s contributions.  Be specific, as it is critical for the committee to understand and evaluate the contributions of the nominee; if the project(s) involved other people, it’s important that the nominee’s contributions be described explicitly. The letter may also address the nominee’s service (e.g., club leadership, teaching, tutoring) or other relevant factors.

  • record of formal and/or informal engagement through curricular activities, clubs and organizations with community, university, and stakeholders.
  • evidence of impact in their engagement activities
  • active participation in engagement activities on and off campus
  • positive contributions to the engagement culture of the department, college, and university