Established by Dr. Leonard C. Nelson in 1978, the Presidential Leadership
Award acknowledges one outstanding graduating senior from each of the
four schools at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology:
Leonard C. Nelson College of Engineering & Sciences (LCNCES), the School
of Arts and Sciences, School of Business & WVU School of Nursing
– Beckley Campus.
This Award recognizes the contributions made by the three senior students
who have played a significant role in the improvement and development
of the intellectual, social, cultural, and/or athletic fabric of the
WVUIT community.
Three Tech students will be honored with the Presidential Leadership Award
based upon academic excellence and leadership in campus and community
activities.
Purpose of the Presidential Leadership Award
The Presidential Leadership Award is an academic award recognizing three
students who have not only earned high marks in their coursework but
who also have given untiringly of their time in leadership positions,
while maintaining personal standards of excellence.
The Award sets forth and acknowledges the three nominated and recommended
graduating students who best embody the four personal characteristics
sought in the recipients of the Presidential Leadership Award. These
individual characteristics are the same attributes and qualities desired
in all WVUIT students:
- Academic excellence
- Outstanding leadership exhibited in student organizations, campus committees,
and/or other college-related pursuits
- Distinctive representation of the college and university in local,
state, and national forums
- Involvement in community activities
Each candidate for the 2024 Presidential Leadership Award must indicate
within her/his application how she/he stands out as a WVUIT student in
the above four areas.
The Presidential Leadership Award Pronouncement
The most prestigious student award given at WVUIT is the Presidential Leadership
Award, and the moments of pronouncement for the Award are memorable ones.
During the May commencement ceremony each Spring, before their families
and friends, before their peers with whom they are graduating, before
their professors and University dignitaries and distinguished alumni—most
in full academic regalia, the three Award Recipients from each College
are called individually to the stage, so their acknowledgement and achievements
can be celebrated by the University community.
Nomination & Candidate Forms for the 2024 Presidential Leadership Award
Students who are presented the Presidential Leadership Award must be nominated,
and each nominated student must then apply. Only nominations and applications
of graduating seniors (December 2023 and May 2024) will be considered.
Nomination and Candidate forms are available in the Academic Award packages
published by the faculty members of the Academic Awards Selection Committee,
who are listed below. The Packages are widely available on the WVUIT
website.
Nomination & Application Submission Requirements
Nomination and application forms/packets must be submitted to the Academic
Awards Committee, as specified on the forms. Nomination forms may be
submitted by students, faculty, administrators, or anyone associated
with WVUIT. Self-nominations are acceptable. All Nomination Forms must
be submitted by
Friday, February 23, 2024 at Noon. All Candidate Application Forms
then need to be submitted by
Friday, March 15, 2024 at 4:30 PM. A complete application packet
includes each of the following pieces:
- Candidate (Application) form, two pages;
- Recommendation letters from two (2) WVUIT faculty members;
- Personal recommendation letter from a peer/colleague, administrator,
friend, or family member;
- Copy of the nominated student’s unofficial academic transcript;
- One-page narrative from the nominated student (using APA or MLA) that
offers a meaningful self-reflection—
(Includes the identification of any accomplishments, efforts, and/or
achievements deserving of special attention that were mentioned only
briefly or not at all within the sections of the nomination materials);
- Candidates may be scheduled for an interview between March 20-27, 2024.
The three letters included in the application materials should be prepared,
as much as possible, so that knowledge is readily apparent from the document
of the four personal characteristics sought in the recipients of the
Presidential Leadership Award.
Nominate the graduating WVUIT senior whom you believe deserves the Presidential
Leadership Award; then, attend the Commencement Ceremonies in May to
hear the award winners speak at graduation.
