The 2018 USC Student Recognition awards

The 2018 USC Student Recognition awards are given to undergraduate, graduate and professional students whose dedication and notable contributions have enriched the quality of life on campus, in the community, or the world at large. By honoring these students, USC continues to celebrate the values of leadership, service, and engagement.

To be eligible, nominees must be scheduled for graduation in either May 2018 or August 2018, or have graduated in December 2017. Faculty and staff may nominate as many students as they deem worthy of consideration; however, not all nominees will receive a Student Recognition award.

Nominated students may be considered for one of the following awards:

Undergraduate Students:
    The Order of Troy: Recipients of The Order of Troy have distinguished themselves beyond their peers in at least one facet of university life and have made notable contributions to the university community as active leaders or critical contributors in service to peers, the university community, or the world at large. These students have pursued academic excellence while devoting extensive time and energy in service outside the classroom.
    The Order of the Laurel and the Palm: Exemplary leadership and high achievement characterize those selected for the Order of the Laurel and the Palm, the highest honor accorded to undergraduates completing their programs of study. Recipients display significant leadership that touches multiple facets of university life and have made notable contributions that leave a lasting impact on the university community and/or the world at large through their commitment to service and value of the university’s highest goals and ideals. Less than one percent of undergraduates earning their degrees are selected as members of the Order of the Laurel and the Palm.

Graduate/Professional Students:
    The Order of Arête: Arête, taken from the Greek, means virtue or excellence in attaining one’s utmost human potential. Members of the Order of Arête have distinguished themselves above their peers through campus or community leadership roles beyond those required for their programs of study, often making notable contributions to the university, academic discipline, community or world at large.  In these leadership roles, members demonstrate significant depth and scope of responsibility, and they are recognized for upholding value and meaning over individual achievement.  The award represents the highest honor accorded graduate students upon completion of their academic programs.

The nomination and selection process is as follows:
    Nominations are available online at http://studentrecognition.usc.edu/ and close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, 2018.  Only complete nominations will be considered.
    Faculty and staff nominators must provide all information about each nominee’s involvement and justify their excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service.  Please note that this year, for the first time, nominations will require the student ID number for each nominee.
    Nominators are responsible for the completion of nomination forms.  Student nominees will not be involved in the selection process. 
    At least three members from the Student Recognition Review Committee will review each completed nomination.
    The committee will select honorees based on the guidelines for each award above.
    The committee will notify award recipients and their nominators via email and invite them to attend the USC Student Recognition Ceremony taking place on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Bovard Auditorium at 1 p.m.

More information about the awards is located on the Student Recognition website. Please direct any specific questions to either co-chair: Gabe Valenzuela at valenzug@usc.edu or Scott Smith at sas@usc.edu.