Awards | Oklahoma State University

Graduate College Awards

These awards are presented annually at the Graduate College awards ceremony, held in the Spring semester. Notice of requests for nominations will be posted throughout the year in the Graduate College weekly, Monday Memo.

Honorary Graduate Commencement Marshals

The Honorary Graduate Commencement Marshal recognition is the highest honor bestowed on doctoral and master’s degree graduates at each commencement. Marshals have demonstrated scholarly achievement, as evidenced by academic performance and discipline-appropriate scholarly contributions that capture the essence of our land-grant mission. Marshals receive a monetary award, are recognized at either the fall or spring commencement, and lead the graduates in the processional, recessional, and awarding of the diploma covers.

Graduate Research Excellence Awards

In partnership with the OSU Research Office, Graduate Research Excellence Awards recognize outstanding research accomplishments as reflected in the thesis or dissertation. This is OSU's highest public recognition of the research conducted by the institution’s most talented graduate students. Awardees receive a certificate, a Presidential Letter of Commendation, and a commemorative plaque.

Outstanding Graduate Coordinator Award

The Outstanding Graduate Coordinator award is given annually to a program coordinator in recognition of their work to advance the career aspirations of our graduate students and contributions to the success of our graduate programs. Nominations are submitted by graduate faculty and graduate students. The winner is formally recognized during the annual Graduate College and GPSGA awards ceremony.

Outstanding Graduate Program Support Staff Award

The Outstanding Graduate Program Support Staff award is given annually to a program support staff in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the overall success of their graduate program. Nominations may be submitted by graduate faculty and graduate students. The winner is recognized during the annual Graduate College and GPSGA awards ceremony.

GPSGA Awards

The Graduate and Professional Student Government Association also sponsors annual awards that are presented at the Graduate College and GPSGA Award Ceremony.

Doctoral Student Phoenix Award

The Doctoral Student Phoenix Award is the highest recognition bestowed by GPSGA on an OSU doctoral student and recognizes exemplary achievement in leadership and scholarship, community and university service, and professional involvement, especially as it relates to the OSU graduate student body. Applicants are nominated by any faculty member, administrator, or graduate student (including self-nominations), must be enrolled as a graduate student in the current academic year, require no more than 6 credit hours for degree completion after the spring semester, and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5. The student award winners each receive a monetary award from the GPSGA.

Master’s Student Phoenix Award

The Master's Student Phoenix Award is the highest recognition bestowed by GPSGA on an OSU master's student and recognizes exemplary achievement in leadership and scholarship, community and university service, and professional involvement, especially as it relates to the OSU graduate student body. A call for nominations is made through the Graduate College Monday Memo each year. Applicants are nominated by any faculty member, administrator, or graduate student (including self-nominations), must be enrolled as a graduate student in the current academic year, require no more than 6 credit hours for degree completion after the spring semester, and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5. The student award winners each receive a monetary award from the GPSGA.

Graduate Teaching Assistant Award

Each year the GPSGA recognizes an outstanding graduate teaching assistant. Nominations may be initiated by any faculty member, administrator, or graduate student (including self nominations). Master's and doctoral student applicants are eligible and must be enrolled as a graduate student in the current academic year and have a minimum grade point average of 3.5. The award winner will be recognized at the annual awards ceremony and receive a monetary award and a certificate.

Graduate Faculty Phoenix Award

The Phoenix Graduate Faculty Mentor award is given annually to a faculty member in recognition of excellence in mentorship of graduate students. The winner, selected by graduate students, will receive formal recognition during the annual Graduate College and GPSGA awards ceremony and have their names engraved on the Phoenix Awards plaque located outside the Graduate College.