The purpose of the College of Agriculture Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards is to recognize student accomplishment in the areas of Research, Leadership and Engagement. Students will be recognized at the fall College of Agriculture Scholarship and Awards Banquet.

Nominations for Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards are due by Sept. 15, 2024.

Eligibility:

  • Any level of student, must be enrolled in MSU COA for the Fall term in which the award is given.
  • Each department (Agricultural Economics and Economics, Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology, Animal and Range Sciences, Agricultural and Technology Education, Microbiology and Cell Biology, and Land Resources and Environmental Sciences) may submit one nomination for each of the three award areas - Leadership, Engagement and Research.

Application:

Submit the student’s resume and one letter of nomination for each award area from the department head, departmental award committee or designated faculty. Email nominations to Jennifer Thomson (jennifer.thomson@montana.edu) by 5pm September 15, 2024. Nomination processes for each of the three awards are outlined below.

 

The letter should explain the problem(s) that the nominee worked on, its significance to the field, what was challenging about the work done, and – most importantly – the nominee’s contributions.  Be specific and precise, as it is critical for the awards committee to understand and evaluate the individual contributions of the nominee; if the project involved other people, it’s important that the nominee’s particular contributions to that project be described explicitly.   The letter may also address the nominee’s service (e.g., club leadership, teaching, peer tutoring) or other relevant factors.

  • record of sustained commitment to developing research skills and knowledge under the supervision of a faculty mentor
  • evidence of independent and critical thinking
  • active participation in research-related activities on campus and/or professional societies
  • positive contributions to the research culture of the department, college, and university

The letter should explain the depth of the leadership roles and the impact the nominee had in these roles, its significance to their field, what was challenging about the work done, and – most importantly – the nominee’s contributions.  Be specific and precise, as it is critical for the awards committee to understand and evaluate the individual contributions of the nominee; if the project(s) involved other people, it’s important that the nominee’s particular contributions to that project be described explicitly.   The letter may also address the nominee’s service (e.g., club leadership, teaching, peer tutoring) or other relevant factors.

  • record of formal and/or informal leadership through curricular activities, clubs, and organizations
  • evidence of impact in the leadership role(s)
  • active participation in leadership activities on campus and/or professional societies including developmental activities
  • positive contributions to the leadership culture of the department, college, and university

The letter should explain the engagement activities of the nominee and their impact, what was challenging about the work done, and – most importantly – the nominee’s contributions.  Be specific and precise, as it is critical for the awards committee to understand and evaluate the individual contributions of the nominee; if the project(s) involved other people, it’s important that the nominee’s particular contributions to that project be described explicitly.   The letter may also address the nominee’s service (e.g., club leadership, teaching, peer tutoring) or other relevant factors.

  • record of formal and/or informal engagement through curricular activities, clubs, and organizations with community, university, and stakeholders.
  • evidence of impact in their engagement activities
  • active participation in engagement activities on campus and in Montana communities
  • positive contributions to the engagement culture of the department, college, and university