University Awards

Could You Be Eligible for a University Award?

You may think University awards are only for graduating students with exceptional GPAs. Academic achievement is part of what we recognize, but it is far from the whole story.

American Military University recognizes students, alumni and student organizations for leadership, service, resilience, innovation, community impact and professional accomplishment. Some awards are designed for the current graduating class, while others are open to students and alumni at different stages of their University journey.

That means it is worth exploring award opportunities before you are ready to apply.

Recognition Can Start Before Graduation

Current students and alumni may be eligible for several University-wide awards.

• The Outstanding Campus Leader Award recognizes meaningful and sustained leadership within the University community.
• The Dr. Wallace E. Boston Leadership Award honors leadership that creates lasting impact through service, collaboration and positive change.
• The James P. Etter Creativity and Innovation Award recognizes individuals whose ideas, creativity or problem-solving have made a meaningful impact.
• The Voices of Impact Award celebrates those who strengthen communities by encouraging dialogue, building understanding and creating welcoming environments.

These awards reflect an important idea: leadership is not defined only by a title. The way you contribute, serve others, solve problems and strengthen your community can matter just as much.

Additional Opportunities Open as Graduation Approaches

Students in the current graduating class may also be eligible for awards that recognize the accomplishments and experiences that shaped their University journey.

• The Academic Scholar Award recognizes outstanding academic achievement and scholarly engagement.
• The Mary Kim Ward Resilience and Service Award honors a graduating student who demonstrated extraordinary perseverance while remaining committed to serving others.
• The President's Award, the University's highest honor for a graduating student, recognizes exceptional scholarship, leadership, integrity and service.
• The Student Speaker Award provides selected graduates the opportunity to represent their class and deliver a message during Commencement.
• The Valor Award recognizes a graduating military-connected student whose academic commitment, leadership and perseverance reflect the experiences associated with military-connected life.

These awards recognize different kinds of achievement. For one student, academic excellence may define the journey. For another, leadership, service or perseverance may be the strongest part of the story.

Student Organizations Can be Recognized, Too

Registered student organizations may also be eligible for University recognition.

• The Chapter of the Year Award recognizes exceptional leadership, engagement, service and organizational excellence
• The Outstanding New Organization Award honors a newly established organization that has quickly developed a strong and positive presence.
• The Outstanding Legacy Project Award recognizes an organization whose Legacy Project created meaningful and lasting impact.

Students involved in these organizations may also find that their individual contributions align with leadership and service awards.

Recognition Continues After Graduation

Alumni remain eligible for several University-wide awards and may also be considered for awards created specifically to recognize graduates.

• The Alumni Service Award honors alumni whose leadership, volunteerism or service creates meaningful impact in their communities, professions or the University.
• The Pinnacle Award recognizes alumni whose sustained professional excellence, service and commitment to lifelong learning have created lasting impact.

Depending on current eligibility requirements, alumni may also qualify for the Outstanding Campus Leader Award, Dr. Wallace E. Boston Leadership Award, James P. Etter Creativity and Innovation Award and Voices of Impact Award.

Your Story May Fit More Than One Award

You do not have to assume there is only one award that applies to you.

A graduating student with strong academics and significant leadership experience may find several relevant opportunities. An alum who remains engaged with the University while making an impact professionally or in the community may also qualify for more than one form of recognition.

Review the eligibility requirements, selection criteria and application materials for each award before applying.

Most importantly, do not rule yourself out because your path does not look like someone else's. University awards recognize many forms of excellence, including scholarship, leadership, service, creativity, resilience and impact.

Explore the Current Award Opportunities

Award requirements and deadlines may change from year to year, so the Awards & Recognition website should always be your source for current information.

For the 2027 award cycle, applications are due February 1, 2027.

Take a few minutes to explore the full award portfolio, even if you are not ready to apply yet. You may find an opportunity that reflects what you have already accomplished or one worth keeping in mind as you continue your journey.

The work you are doing now may be part of a story worth recognizing.