Awards

Guidelines 

1)  Outstanding Researcher Award:  for a student who is strong in many areas, but demonstrates exceptional research skills (independent work, work with multiple mentors, conference presentation, etc).

2)  Louise Johnson Award:  for a student who contributes significantly to the department through activities such as peer advising, active service through Psi Chi/Psyc Club, participation on the SOS committee or other leadership/service roles in the department.

3)  Outstanding Scholar Award:  for the psychology major with the highest overall grade point average who has completed at least 65 hours of coursework (i.e., the majority of their coursework) at Winthrop University.  If more than one student shares the highest GPA, the student with the greatest number of credit hours at Winthrop would receive the award.

4)  Outstanding Student Commitment Award:  for the student who has shown a high level of enthusiasm for their own learning and for the field of psychology.  The selection committee may consider obstacles that the student has overcome when deciding on a winner.

5) Outstanding Student Award:  for the student who excels in all areas – research, service, engagement, and scholarship.  This award will go to the most well-rounded candidate.

§      Awards will be given in the Fall of each year.

 §      Only seniors who are graduating in December of that semester or the following May will be eligible for nomination. 

§      Faculty members on the SOS committee will solicit nominations by generating a list of eligible seniors and will organize the application material.

 §      Nominations will be made by full-time or adjunct faculty.

 §      Nominated students will be asked to provide support material for their nomination packet. 

 §      Nomination packets will be treated in a confidential manner, and will be available for viewing by psychology faculty/staff only.

 §      Awards will be determined with the opportunity for input by all full-time psychology faculty (either by e-mail or in a department meeting).

 §      An individual student will be eligible to win only one award, with the exception of the Outstanding Scholar Award.  An individual student may receive the Outstanding Scholar Award and also be selected for a second award.

 §      Honorable Mentions may be made in any category for students who are not selected for the award itself.

 §      Awards do not have to be given every year.  A specific award will be given only if a deserving student is identified.

 §      The department chair will be responsible for notifying award winners. 

§      Award winners will be honored with a personal plaque (to be given to the winner), recognition in the department display case, and recognition at a department meeting.  The SOS committee will be responsible for handling this process.