Student Organization Awards
Each year, Loyola recognizes organizations for the many successful programs and achievements of the past year. Student organizations play a crucial role in defining Loyola experience, and in building and maintaining communities. Leaders of organizations perform invaluable services with enthusiasm, passion, and dedication. The Student Organization Awards (SOA) recognize and celebrate all the outstanding work and impact you make, and the awards will be presented during the Student Organizations Award Ceremony on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 5- 7 pm in Damen MPR.
Please be mindful that: a student can self-nominate for awards; we accept multiple nominations for same groups per awards, but will only review the first submitted nomination; a student/organization can be nominated for one or more of these awards, a separate nomination must be submitted if the awards are under different categories; and winners of last year will not be considered for the same award.
While these forms include multiple awards under each categories, students are not required/expected to nominate for each of them. On the first page of all these forms, you can select which specific award(s) you would like to submit. Please read the instructions on each form closely to successfully submit your nominations.
Nominations are open from February 20th to March 13th, by midnight. All nomination forms can be found on LUCommunity within the Center for Student Engagement portal. Student organizations must be in good standing to receive an award. All RSO policies and procedures for programming must be completed to receive the award.
Awards List
Types of Awards
| Type of Award | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Awards |
These awards recognize the remarkable accomplishments from a student organization through service to others, membership, activities, and programs. Individuals/Organizations may self nominate for this award. The awards in this category include:
The nomination form for the Overall Awards can be found by clicking here. |
| Organization Category Awards |
These awards recognize the achievements of a student organization within a specific category, based on registration. Organizations are asked to demonstrate what makes their group stand out amongst their peers. Organizations may self nominate for this award. The awards in this category include:
The nomination form for the Organization Category Awards can be found by clicking here. |
| Individual/Group Awards |
These awards recognize the achievements of individuals or a group of students from the student organization community. Recipients are able to showcase how they have gone above and beyond for their organization and the Loyola community. Individuals may self nominate for this award. The awards in this category include:
The nomination form for the Individual/Group Awards can be found by clicking here. |
For questions please email CAN@luc.edu.
Please see below for the recipients of 2023 Student Organization Awards!
- Organization of the Year: Food Recovery Network
- Outstanding New Organization: Student Veterans of America
- Outstanding Event of the Year: Qur'an & Nasheed Night, hosted by Muslim Students' Association
- Best Academic/Honorary Organization: Pre-Law Society
- Best Cultural/Diversity Organization: Asian Students in Action
- Best Hobby/Special Interest Organization: Students for Sustainable Energy Through Anaerobic Digestion
- Best Media Organization: Diminuendo
- Best Political/Advocacy Organization: Students for Justice in Palestine
- Best Religious/Spiritual Organization: Muslim Students' Association
- Best Service Organization: Friends of MSF
- Best Sponsored Student Organization: Brain Exercise Initiative
- Outstanding RSO Advisor: Dr. Daniel Becker, Invisible Illness Awareness at Loyola (Chicago)
- Outstanding SSO Advisor: Brandon Hinton, LUC Residence Hall Association
- Outstanding New Officer of the Year: Mereya Riopedre, Food Recovery Network
- Spirit of Loyola: Stephanie Miller, Invisible Illness Awareness at Loyola (Chicago)
- Outstanding Executive Board: Asian Students in Action
Overall Awards
Organization of the Year: Recognizes a Registered Student Organization that has gone above and beyond in their engagement on campus, campus awareness efforts, inclusivity, building lasting connections with other campus entities, and upholding Jesuit values.
Outstanding New Organization: Recognizes a Registered Student Organization that was founded in the last two academic years. Recipients of this award should demonstrate a commitment to growth for their organization, a strong understanding of the connection between their mission and the mission of the university,and should be noticeable active on campus.
Outstanding Event of the Year: Recognizes an exceptional event hosted by student organization(s) that best exemplifies the mission, purpose, and values of the organizations, and has had a significant impact on the campus community.
Organization Category Awards
Organizations are grouped by the category the organization has registered in on LUCommunity. Organization are only able to apply for one category.
Best Academic/Honorary Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization's academic emphasis provides a co-curricular learning beyond the classroom for students to engage with.
Best Cultural/Diversity Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization's cultural identity helps foster an inclusive environment with an emphasis on increasing understanding, acceptance, and tolerance among the Loyola community; as well as an embrace of their unique identity on through diverse experiences.
Best Hobby/Special Interest Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization's focus on building community through positive interaction with their peers in the community, provides value to the Loyola community.
Best Media Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their publication/production/performances have contributed to the overall student experience, with a focus on building community through positive interaction and creative media.
Best Political/Advocacy Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization continues to strive towards civic engagement and empowers students to be involved in the local, national, and global community.
Best Religious/Spiritual Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization allows students to engage in interfaith dialogue with an emphasis on increasing understanding, acceptance, and tolerance among the Loyola community; or encourages students to participate in service activities geared towards active citizenship.
Best Service Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization encourages students to participate in service activities geared towards active citizenship.
Best Sponsored Student Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates consistent activity, creativity, and initiative; has made meaningful contributions to the campus community; and has had a significant impact on the quality of the student experience here at Loyola throughout the academic year.
Individual & Group Award
Awards in this group are open to members from both Registered Student Organizations and Sponsored Student Organizations.
Individual Awards recognize and highlight the accomplishments of an individual student or staff. | Group Awards recognize the accomplishments of a team of students who hold leadership positions within their organization. Awards can be self nominated.
Outstanding RSO Advisor: The Outstanding RSO Advisor Award is presented to a current Loyola employee who has acted as an advisor for a Registered Student Organization (RSO) for at least two consecutive semesters, has strong advising skills while establishing a positive impact on that student organization and the community, and has demonstrated a dedicated interest in the development of student organization leaders.
Outstanding SSO Advisor: The Outstanding SSO Advisor Award is presented to a current Loyola employee who has acted as an advisor for a Sponsored Student Organization (SSO) for at least two consecutive semesters, has strong advising skills while establishing a positive impact on that student organization and the community, and has demonstrated a dedicated interest in the development of student organization leaders.
Outstanding New Officer of the Year: The Outstanding New Officer of the Year Award is presented to a student who is new to the three-core e-board positions (President, Treasurer, and CAN Representative) for any organization within the past two academic year. Despite being new to the role, they have demonstrated a commitment to service, involvement, and academic excellence within the campus community. They have exemplified their ability to transform future communities and their willingness to work for a better and just world. Nominees must be listed as an officer/e-board member in their organization's LUCommunity portal.
Spirit of Loyola: The Spirit of Loyola Award is presented to an undergraduate student (member or officer of an organization) who embodies integrity, faith, leadership and passion for learning. This person reflects the Jesuit value of Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, To the greater glory of God, in the work, they provide for their organization and Loyola community. This student's commitment to social justice, servant leadership, and academic excellence capture the Spirit of Loyola. They can be returning officers.
Outstanding Executive Board: This award is designed to recognize a team of student organization executive leaders who embody the principles of teamwork, collaboration, effectiveness, and support for their student organization. The executive board recognized will have made outstanding contributions to the overall organizational management of their organization while adhering to student organization expectations and advancing the cause of their mission within Loyola’s campus community.
Each year, Loyola recognizes organizations for the many successful programs and achievements of the past year. Student organizations play a crucial role in defining Loyola experience, and in building and maintaining communities. Leaders of organizations perform invaluable services with enthusiasm, passion, and dedication. The Student Organization Awards (SOA) recognize and celebrate all the outstanding work and impact you make, and the awards will be presented during the Student Organizations Award Ceremony on Monday, April 8, 2024 from 5- 7 pm in Damen MPR.
Please be mindful that: a student can self-nominate for awards; we accept multiple nominations for same groups per awards, but will only review the first submitted nomination; a student/organization can be nominated for one or more of these awards, a separate nomination must be submitted if the awards are under different categories; and winners of last year will not be considered for the same award.
While these forms include multiple awards under each categories, students are not required/expected to nominate for each of them. On the first page of all these forms, you can select which specific award(s) you would like to submit. Please read the instructions on each form closely to successfully submit your nominations.
Nominations are open from February 20th to March 13th, by midnight. All nomination forms can be found on LUCommunity within the Center for Student Engagement portal. Student organizations must be in good standing to receive an award. All RSO policies and procedures for programming must be completed to receive the award.
For questions please email CAN@luc.edu.
Please see below for the recipients of 2023 Student Organization Awards!
- Organization of the Year: Food Recovery Network
- Outstanding New Organization: Student Veterans of America
- Outstanding Event of the Year: Qur'an & Nasheed Night, hosted by Muslim Students' Association
- Best Academic/Honorary Organization: Pre-Law Society
- Best Cultural/Diversity Organization: Asian Students in Action
- Best Hobby/Special Interest Organization: Students for Sustainable Energy Through Anaerobic Digestion
- Best Media Organization: Diminuendo
- Best Political/Advocacy Organization: Students for Justice in Palestine
- Best Religious/Spiritual Organization: Muslim Students' Association
- Best Service Organization: Friends of MSF
- Best Sponsored Student Organization: Brain Exercise Initiative
- Outstanding RSO Advisor: Dr. Daniel Becker, Invisible Illness Awareness at Loyola (Chicago)
- Outstanding SSO Advisor: Brandon Hinton, LUC Residence Hall Association
- Outstanding New Officer of the Year: Mereya Riopedre, Food Recovery Network
- Spirit of Loyola: Stephanie Miller, Invisible Illness Awareness at Loyola (Chicago)
- Outstanding Executive Board: Asian Students in Action
Overall Awards
Organization of the Year: Recognizes a Registered Student Organization that has gone above and beyond in their engagement on campus, campus awareness efforts, inclusivity, building lasting connections with other campus entities, and upholding Jesuit values.
Outstanding New Organization: Recognizes a Registered Student Organization that was founded in the last two academic years. Recipients of this award should demonstrate a commitment to growth for their organization, a strong understanding of the connection between their mission and the mission of the university,and should be noticeable active on campus.
Outstanding Event of the Year: Recognizes an exceptional event hosted by student organization(s) that best exemplifies the mission, purpose, and values of the organizations, and has had a significant impact on the campus community.
Organization Category Awards
Organizations are grouped by the category the organization has registered in on LUCommunity. Organization are only able to apply for one category.
Best Academic/Honorary Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization's academic emphasis provides a co-curricular learning beyond the classroom for students to engage with.
Best Cultural/Diversity Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization's cultural identity helps foster an inclusive environment with an emphasis on increasing understanding, acceptance, and tolerance among the Loyola community; as well as an embrace of their unique identity on through diverse experiences.
Best Hobby/Special Interest Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization's focus on building community through positive interaction with their peers in the community, provides value to the Loyola community.
Best Media Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their publication/production/performances have contributed to the overall student experience, with a focus on building community through positive interaction and creative media.
Best Political/Advocacy Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization continues to strive towards civic engagement and empowers students to be involved in the local, national, and global community.
Best Religious/Spiritual Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization allows students to engage in interfaith dialogue with an emphasis on increasing understanding, acceptance, and tolerance among the Loyola community; or encourages students to participate in service activities geared towards active citizenship.
Best Service Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates how their organization encourages students to participate in service activities geared towards active citizenship.
Best Sponsored Student Organization: Presented to an organization that demonstrates consistent activity, creativity, and initiative; has made meaningful contributions to the campus community; and has had a significant impact on the quality of the student experience here at Loyola throughout the academic year.
Individual & Group Award
Awards in this group are open to members from both Registered Student Organizations and Sponsored Student Organizations.
Individual Awards recognize and highlight the accomplishments of an individual student or staff. | Group Awards recognize the accomplishments of a team of students who hold leadership positions within their organization. Awards can be self nominated.
Outstanding RSO Advisor: The Outstanding RSO Advisor Award is presented to a current Loyola employee who has acted as an advisor for a Registered Student Organization (RSO) for at least two consecutive semesters, has strong advising skills while establishing a positive impact on that student organization and the community, and has demonstrated a dedicated interest in the development of student organization leaders.
Outstanding SSO Advisor: The Outstanding SSO Advisor Award is presented to a current Loyola employee who has acted as an advisor for a Sponsored Student Organization (SSO) for at least two consecutive semesters, has strong advising skills while establishing a positive impact on that student organization and the community, and has demonstrated a dedicated interest in the development of student organization leaders.
Outstanding New Officer of the Year: The Outstanding New Officer of the Year Award is presented to a student who is new to the three-core e-board positions (President, Treasurer, and CAN Representative) for any organization within the past two academic year. Despite being new to the role, they have demonstrated a commitment to service, involvement, and academic excellence within the campus community. They have exemplified their ability to transform future communities and their willingness to work for a better and just world. Nominees must be listed as an officer/e-board member in their organization's LUCommunity portal.
Spirit of Loyola: The Spirit of Loyola Award is presented to an undergraduate student (member or officer of an organization) who embodies integrity, faith, leadership and passion for learning. This person reflects the Jesuit value of Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, To the greater glory of God, in the work, they provide for their organization and Loyola community. This student's commitment to social justice, servant leadership, and academic excellence capture the Spirit of Loyola. They can be returning officers.
Outstanding Executive Board: This award is designed to recognize a team of student organization executive leaders who embody the principles of teamwork, collaboration, effectiveness, and support for their student organization. The executive board recognized will have made outstanding contributions to the overall organizational management of their organization while adhering to student organization expectations and advancing the cause of their mission within Loyola’s campus community.