2008-2009 ALL UNIVERSITY AWARDS
Each Spring, members of the SMU community are invited to nominate students (as well as faculty and staff for the “M” Award – see below) deserving of recognition for the awards noted below. The award recipients will be announced at the Awards Extravaganza in Spring 2009. More information about nominations, as well as the time & location of the 2008-2009 Awards will be listed here next Spring.
THE NOMINATION PERIOD FOR 2008-2009 WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY 2009 - WATCH THIS PAGE FOR LINKS TO THE NOMINATION FORM - THANK YOU!
Click on a link below or scroll down the page for more information about:
- "M" Award
- Umphrey Lee Award
- Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Leader
- Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Volunteer
- Avella Winn Hay Award
- John L. Freehafer Award
"M" Award
The "M" Award is the most highly coveted recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the SMU Campus. The recipients' efforts have been continuous during their years at the University and are not limited to a narrow vested interest. The “M” Award honorees are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents in order to make the University, and indeed the world, a better place for all of us to live.
Criteria:
Nominee must be a student who will graduate during Spring 2009 commencement (undergraduate or graduate) or a faculty/staff member with at least 6 years of continuous employment at SMU. The "M" Award may only be received once. Previous recipients are not eligible.
Umphrey Lee Award
The Umphrey Lee Award is named for the first president of the student body at SMU, who then went on to become the University's 4th President in 1939. In the spirit of the servant-leader role that defined his life, the Umphrey Lee Award is presented annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding involvement in and contribution to the University community while a student at SMU.
Criteria:
Nominee must be an undergraduate student who will graduate in Spring 2009. The nominee, or his/her nominator, should indicate ways in which she/he has been involved and what contributions have been made to the University community while a student at SMU.
Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Leader Award
The Presidential Award of Excellence – Scholar/Leader is given to an outstanding student leader who has shown qualities of leadership which have benefited the SMU community.
Criteria:
A graduating senior with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and an outstanding record of leadership at SMU is eligible for the Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Leader.
Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Volunteer Award
The Presidential Award of Excellence – Scholar/Volunteer is given to an outstanding student volunteer who has volunteered his or her services to the greater Dallas community and beyond.
Criteria:
A graduating senior with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and an outstanding record of volunteerism at SMU is eligible for the Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Volunteer.
Avella Winn Hay Award
This award is given to a graduating senior based on scholarly excellence, exemplary character, and significant contribution to the SMU community.
Criteria:
An SMU faculty or staff member must submit nomination by written letter.
John L. Freehafer Memorial Award
Dr. and Mrs. Lytle J. Freehafer established a memorial award in 1967 in honor of their son, John L. Freehafer, a 1965 graduate of SMU, who died October 6, 1965 in the Phillipines on an around-the-world tour following graduation. In establishing the award, Dr. Freehafer, former Vice President at Purdue University, asked that a committee of student leaders and university administrators who are concerned with student personnel and student life, select the students who are to receive the awards.
Criteria:
The John L. Freehafer Memorial award is given to one or more sophomore, junior or senior students who have demonstrated an interest in people, in student life, in student activities and in student government and/or who have a special interest in how people govern themselves.


