Cornerstone Award Criteria

The William A. Bryan Senior Leader Award is presented to one member of the graduating senior class. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and be graduating in May or December with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. In addition, this graduating Senior should have distinguished themselves among their peers in the following ways:

Embodiment of ethics and integrity
Demonstration of creativity
Collaborative efforts with other students, organizations, and/or departments
Significant growth and development through his/her UNCW experience
Showcase of success in academics
A history of breadth and/or depth in the practice of leadership
Passion in his/her commitment of service to others
Model representative of the university who demonstrates a lifelong affinity for UNCW
Made a lasting impact on the university community

Nominee must be a Senior graduating in May or December 2019
Nominee must have, at least, a 3.0 GPA

The Rachel Freeman Service Leadership Award is presented to one member of the graduating senior class. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and be graduating in May or December with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67. In addition, this graduating Senior should have distinguished themselves among their peers in the following ways:

Recognized by peers, faculty, and/or administration as a servant leader
Passion in his/her commitment of service to others
Sense of selflessness
Commitment to and promotion of social justice
Collaboration with others to enact social change
Demonstrated commitment to bettering the lives of others

Nominee must be a Senior graduating in May or December 2019
Nominee must have, at least, a 2.67 GPA

The Teague Award: A. Farrell Teague Merit Scholarship for Rising Seniors The scholarship was created by Arthur Farrell Teague and will be used to assist rising seniors who have achieved a high level of academic and extracurricular success during their time at UNCW. Every year, a recipient will be chosen and deemed the recipient of “The Teague Award”.

Farrell Teague graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington, and was offered a scholarship to attend Wilmington College (now UNCW). Focusing his coursework on business and retail management, Farrell graduated with his Associate’s degree from Wilmington College in 1954, and was the third person to ever receive the “President’s Medal of Achievement” (now known as the Hoggard Medal), established in 1952 by President Hoggard to acknowledge the superior academic and social performance of a graduating student.

The scholarship is considered a merit scholarship and the recipient will be selected on demonstrated academic ability and special achievement. Recipient must have a comprehensive GPA above 3.5 as verified by the Registrar. The recipient must also exemplify a high level of engagement including campus involvement or leadership and examples of scholarly research as evidenced through progress in Honors or other substantive academic projects. The A. Farrell Teague Merit Scholarship may be awarded to an undergraduate student, who is considered a rising senior by virtue of credit hours earned.

Learn more about Mr. Teague:

The Martha M. Duncan Scholarship is presented to one sophomore or junior student. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. The recipient should serve as a "LEAD Fellow" in the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement for the scholarship year (approximately 8 hours per week). In addition, this Sophomore or Junior should have distinguished themselves among their peers in the following ways:

Excellence in work with a student organization or in a university department
Exemplary and consistent service to the UNCW campus community
Committed to their growth and development through leadership
Emerging as a role model for his/her peers

Nominee must be a Sophomore or Junior- academic credit, second year, or third year students
Nominee must have, at least, a 3.0 GPA

The UNCW Laureate Award, inspired by the Nobel Peace Prize, is presented to one Sophomore or Junior student. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. In addition, this Sophomore or Junior should have distinguished themselves among their peers in the following ways:

Maintains a passion for social justice and human rights
Acts as an advocate for social change
Facilitation of organized action to create positive change on campus or in the community
Educates others on local and global issues
Initiator of constructive dialogue which has encouraged reflection and positive change

Nominee must be a Sophomore or Junior- academic credit, second year, or third year students
Nominee must have, at least, a 3.0 GPA

The Margaret Walthour Lippitt Scholarship is presented to one first year student. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. In addition, this first year student should have distinguished themselves among their peers in the following ways:

Focus on academic success
Active exploration of involvement and leadership on campus
Engaged in service to the campus or community
Demonstrates potential to have a lasting impact on UNCW

Nominee must be a first year student- including transfer students
Nominee must have, at least, a 3.0 GPA

The Senior Medallion Award is the most prestigious award presented by the Division of Student Affairs on behalf of the university community. Recipients must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. In addition, these graduating Seniors should have distinguished themselves among their peers through significant contributions of the following characteristics:

A focus on academic achievement (through research, internship, practica, service-learning, study abroad, etc.)
A history of breadth and/or depth in the practice of leadership (in the classroom, in student organizations, in the campus or Wilmington community, as a student employee, as a student athlete, etc.)
Passionate in their commitment of service to others (through service-learning, community service, philanthropy, research, etc.)
Model representative of the university who demonstrates a lifelong affinity for UNCW
A lasting impact on the university community
The Senior Medallion is awarded to approximately 25 graduating Seniors each year. Students may only receive this award once.

Nominee must be a Senior graduating in May or December 2019
Nominee must have, at least, a 3.0 GPA

The Distinguished Engagement Award is presented to a select group of junior, senior, and transfer students who have made a significant contribution to UNCW over the course of their undergraduate experience. Recipients must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. In addition, these students should have distinguished themselves among their peers through one or more of the following characteristics:

The continual practice of and increased responsibility in leadership (in the classroom, in student organizations, in the campus or Wilmington community, as a student employee, as a student athlete, etc.)
Exemplary and consistent service to others (through service-learning, community service, philanthropy, research, etc.)
Excellent representative of the university and role to others
Contributed an improvement or positive change in the university community
The Distinguished Engagement Award is presented to a group of approximately 40 junior, senior, and transfer students each year. Students may only receive this award once.

Nominee must be a Junior or Senior- academic credit, third year, or fourth year students
Nominee must have, at least, a 2.75 GPA

The Excellence in Engagement Award is presented to a select group sophomore, junior, and transfer students for outstanding contributions to improving the quality of student life during their time at UNCW. Recipients must currently be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. In addition, these students should have distinguished themselves among their peers through one or more of the following characteristics:

The practice of leadership (in the classroom, in student organizations, in the campus or Wilmington community, as a student employee, as a student athlete, etc.)
Service to others (through service-learning, community service, philanthropy, research, etc.)
Excellent representative of the university
The Excellence in Engagement Award is presented to a group of approximately 50 sophomore, junior, and transfer students each year. Students may only receive this award once.

Nominee must be a Sophomore or Junior- academic credit, second year, or third year students
Nominee must have, at least, a 2.75 GPA

The Carolyn Elizabeth (Lizzy) Duffy Student Sustainability Award is presented to one student who has been at UNCW at least one semester during the academic year. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and have a minimum 2.67 GPA.

The Carolyn Elizabeth (Lizzy) Duffy Student Sustainability Award was created in March of 2015 to honor the efforts of Lizzy, particularly for spearheading the proposal for The Green Initiative Fund, which brought support, resources and visibility to sustainability at UNCW. The award recipient should be someone who exemplifies a similar passion and stewardship for sustainability at UNCW, the community, and world. Additionally, the award recognizes the service and commitment that comes along with this passion and how other students have chosen to apply it. The triple bottom line of sustainability includes fiscal responsibility, environmental protection and social equity. Students must distinguish themselves by portraying dedication to all three facets of sustainability.