Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards

Each spring a campus-wide committee selects the winners of the Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards, UW's prestigious recognition for outstanding graduating seniors.

The awardees are recognized as the ideal role models of student scholarship and achievement.

Each January individuals are invited to nominate students they believe are worthy of recognition.

Students walking outside of the Union

Awards Process: 

To initiate the process, a nominator submits a letter of nomination. Nomination date for 2027 is February 5th. The nomination letter should describe why the student is being nominated and how the student meets the award criteria listed below. The letter should be sent to studentaffairs@uwyo.edu.  

Beginning in February each nominated student will be contacted and asked to prepare supplemental information that includes a resume, two additional letters of recommendation from individuals other than their nominator, and a one-page personal statement highlighting the student’s scholarship, leadership, and contributions to UW. Nominated students will have until early March to submit a complete packet of supplemental materials. 

The selection committee will review nomination packets and determine a slate of 10-12 finalists to interview. After interviews, the committee will select recipients. The finalists and recipients will be recognized at the annual event in May.

Criteria for Outstanding Graduating Senior awards:

  • Academic excellence and achievement
  • Contributions and service to the University of Wyoming
  • Active participation and leadership in co-curricular activities
  • Demonstrated character and citizenship
  • Will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027

Congratulations to the 2026 Nominees, Finalists & Winners

2026 Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards Winners: Paula Medina and Riley Ovard

Finalists in bold

Katie Acord
Elissa Cohen
Peyton Hunt
Riley Ovard
 Sarah Turner
Hannah Baldwin
Brianna Evelo
Nicole Klosterman
Nik Pierson
 Sean Walker
Harper Pollock
Owen Fink
Lily Leman
Alexandra Robért
 Carter Watsabaugh
Hilde Ball
Annette Harlan
Hailey McGee
Sarah Robinson
  
Courtney Beene
Hailey Haufler
Paula Medina
Clayton Rux
  
Andrew Bishop
Danielle Hershey
Ven Meester
Natalie Six
  
Whitney Brooks
Drea Hineman
Logan Opsal
Ezra Stepanek
  

2027 Timeline

February 

5            Deadline for nominations to studentaffairs@uwyo.edu 

8            Students notified of nomination via email           

 

March 

5             Deadline for completed student nomination packets due to studentaffairs@uwyo.edu 

15-19    Spring Break – Committee Reviews Materials 

24           Committee to meet in afternoon and decide which students to interview (10-12 finalists)

26           Students invited to interview April 7th and 8th

 

April  

7             Afternoon and evening, 3-7 for student interviews 

8             Day 10-2 for student interviews  

 

May 

TBD             Luncheon to honor nominees and finalists and announce winners  

(11:30am – 1:00pm. Ballroom at the Gateway Center or Hilton) 

TBD        President’s Commencement Dinner

15           Spring Commencement