History of the Presidential Leadership Award
Established by Dr. Leonard C. Nelson in 1978, the Presidential Leadership Award acknowledges one outstanding graduating senior from each of the four colleges at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology:
- Leonard C. Nelson School of Engineering & Sciences
- School of Business
- School of Arts and Sciences
- WVU School of Nursing – Beckley Campus
This award recognizes the contributions made by the four senior students who have played a significant role in the improvement and development of the intellectual, social, cultural, and/or athletic fabric of the WVU Tech community.
Four Tech students will be honored with the Presidential Leadership Award based upon academic excellence and leadership in campus and community activities.
Presidential Leadership Nomination Form Presidential Leadership Award Candidate Form Write a Reccomendation Letter
Purpose of the Presidential Leadership Award
The Presidential Leadership Award is an academic award recognizing four 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 acknowledges the four nominated and recommended graduating students who best embody the following personal characteristics:
- 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 2025 Presidential Leadership Award must indicate within their application how they stand out as a WVU Tech student in the above four areas.
The Presidential Leadership Award Pronouncement
The most prestigious student award given at WVU Tech is the Presidential Leadership Award, and its announcement is a momentous occasion. 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—most in full academic regalia—the four award recipients from each school are called individually to the stage to be honored.
Nomination & Candidate Forms for the 2025 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 2024 and May 2025) 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.
Academic Awards Selection Committee
The faculty members of the 2024-2025 Academic Awards Selection Committee will review the information received from nominators and candidates, conduct interviews, and select the recipients of the award.
- Dr. Angela Peterson, Committee Chair, School of Business, Learning Resource Center, 303B, angela.mccaskill@mail.wvu.edu
- Dr. Patrick Brown, School of Arts and Sciences, Carter Hall 201B, patrick.brown3@mail.wvu.edu
- Dr. Tarek Farhat, School of Arts and Sciences, Physical Sciences Building 210B, tarek.farhat@mail.wvu.edu
- Hillary Parcell, MSN, School of Nursing Beckley Campus, Life Sciences 101E, heparcell@mail.wvu.edu
Presidential Leadership Award Nomination & Application Submission Requirements
Nomination and application forms must be submitted to the Academic Awards Committee by the specified deadlines.
- Nomination Forms Deadline: Friday, February 28, 2025, at Noon
- Candidate Application Forms Deadline: Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 4:30 PM
A complete application packet must include:
- Candidate (Application) form, two pages
- Recommendation letters from two WVU Tech faculty members
- Personal recommendation letter from a peer, administrator, friend, or family member
- Copy of the nominated student’s unofficial academic transcript
- One-page narrative from the nominated student (APA or MLA format) offering a meaningful self-reflection
- If needed, candidates may be scheduled for an interview between March 20-27, 2025
Nomination Forms and Candidate Applications
Nominate the graduating WVU Tech senior whom you believe deserves the Presidential Leadership Award. Then, attend the Commencement Ceremonies in May to celebrate the award winners!