Honors & Awards Applications

University Honors & Awards

UNC Charlotte presents several awards to students during the annual University Honors and Awards Ceremony at the end of each spring semester. These awards provide recognition to students who have made significant contributions to UNC Charlotte during their undergraduate or graduate career. 

Recipients of these prestigious honors demonstrate an attitude of unselfish interest in the welfare of their fellow students and the University as a whole. The recipients must have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, and be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the university. Graduate student applications will be reviewed solely on contributions during graduate school and not on their accomplishments as undergraduates.

• The Bonnie E. Cone Leadership Award, Chancellor's Awards, Chuck Lynch Award, and the University Commendations for Leadership and Service provide recognition to students graduating in May - December 2025 who have made significant contributions to UNC Charlotte and shown outstanding qualities of scholarship and leadership during their undergraduate career.
   
• The Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award provides recognition to a first generation college junior or senior student who has demonstrated leadership through on or off-campus service to others, involvement in student organizations/activities, and a commitment to mentorship.
   
  • First-Generation Niners are students whose parents and/or guardians did not complete a four-year college degree. 
    • Am I still first-gen if my sibling has a degree? YES
    • Am I still first-gen if my parents/guardians have an associate’s degree? YES
    • What if my parents/guardians have a four-year degree from another country? You may self-identify as First-Generation at Charlotte if you don’t have prior exposure to or knowledge of navigating higher education in the United States
       
• Please Note: Only Undergraduate students are eligible to receive the Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award 

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Selection Committee Review

One application is submitted for these honors and awards, and the University Honors & Awards selection committee will determine which award will be given to each award recipient. Information about award recipients will be kept confidential until the awards are presented at the annual University Honors and Awards Program. You will be notified of your selection status via email. A resume and personal statement are both required.

• Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award, Application Process: On the application, students will indicate if they would like to be considered for the Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award, and the Derrick Griffith selection committee will determine the award recipient.

Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Requirements:

To complete your application, you must submit one Letter of Recommendation (LOR). Please review the guidelines below carefully to ensure your application is processed correctly:

1. Only One LOR Per Applicant
   You are allowed to submit only one Letter of Recommendation. Any application that includes more than one letter will be considered incomplete.
2. Where to send Letters of Recommendations
   The faculty or staff member that is listed on your application needs to email the LOR to the following email address univ-honors-awards@charlotte.edu no later than the February 28, 2025 deadline in order for your application to be considered complete. 
3. Application is Incomplete Without a LOR
   Your application will not be considered complete until we have received your LOR. Make sure your recommender submits the letter on time, or your application will not be reviewed.
4. Updating Your Recommender
   If the recommender you listed in your application has changed, you must email univ-honors-awards@charlotte.edu to notify us of the new recommender. This ensures we know who to expect the LOR from.
5. Who Can and Cannot Be Your Recommender
   • Eligible Recommenders:
     Only a Charlotte Faculty or Staff member who can speak to your campus and/or community impact is qualified to write your LOR.
   • Ineligible Recommenders:
     The following individuals CANNOT serve as your recommender:
     • UHA Committee Members (Adam Burden, Bryan Cotton, Shayauna Newsom, Chris Washington, Michael Maksymowski, Jill Huerta, and Ysatiz Piñero)
     • Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Kevin Bailey
     • Chancellor Sharon Gaber
     • Parents or relatives (even if they work on campus)
6. Faculty and Staff Recommenders
   Faculty and staff members are welcome to submit as many LORs as they wish for other applicants, but each applican may only have one LOR.

Please make sure your recommender submits their letter to univ-honors-awards@charlotte.edu by the application deadline, February 25, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Deadlines

Online applications will be open from 8:00 AM on Monday, February 3, 2025 through 11:45 PM Friday, February 28, 2025. No late submissions will be accepted. Applicants do not need to be nominated in order to apply. A letter of recommendation is required to complete your application. During the application process, you will be asked to provide the name of your recommender. This allows the selection committee to follow up with them directly if the letter is not received prior to the deadline, helping ensure your application is submitted on time. Only ONE letter of recommendation will be accepted.

• Apply for Honors & Awards on NinerEngage

• Reference letters may be submitted on Niner Engage

For questions or additional information, contact Leadership & Community Engagement Office in Popp Martin Student Union room 252, at 704.687.5323 or via email at univ-honors-awards@charlotte.edu.