Honors and Awards
Each year, the University recognizes outstanding students at Academic Honors Day and Awards Day ceremonies and at Commencement. Some of the awards presented are listed below.
Academic Honors and Awards Ceremony
This ceremony, produced by the Honors and Awards Committee, recognizes all students holding a 3.7 GPA for undergraduates fully enrolled (12 units or more in all classes except freshman, where a minimum of 16 units are required) and a 3.85 GPA for graduate students fully enrolled (eight hours or more). The student must be fully enrolled in the previous fall term and fully enrolled per the criteria for the current spring term. The student receives a certificate/instruction letter in the mail and an invitation is sent to the student(s) family. The student is given individual recognition and an “Honor Student” pin is presented for their distinguished achievement. The Academic Honors and Awards Ceremony is a yearly program held in the month of April. The ceremony also showcases recipients of departmental awards, senior student awards and outstanding faculty awards culminating in a reception.
Drane Award
The William McClure Drane Award is conferred upon an outstanding member of the graduating class chosen by the faculty of the University on the basis of character, scholarship, leadership, and service to the University. Preference is given to a student with four years of residence in the University. Miss Myrtle Drane and Mrs. Maud Drane Buckner established the award in 1950 in memory of their father, William McClure Drane, prominent citizen of Clarksville and patron of education.
Halbert Harvill Civitan Citizenship Award
The Halbert Harvill Civitan Citizenship Award is given to the member of the graduating class selected by the faculty for having made an outstanding contribution to good citizenship during his or her college career. The award is given to the student who has made the best use of his or her abilities and has worked unselfishly for the betterment of fellow students and the school community. It is not based on popularity, athletic prowess, or scholastic achievement.
Academic Discipline Awards
Agriculture
James D. Hamilton Award is given annually by Delta Tau Alpha Agriculture Honor Society to the most outstanding freshman Agriculture major as chosen by faculty in Agriculture.
Biology
- Outstanding Biology Major Junior
- Outstanding Biology Major Senior
- Outstanding Biology Graduate Student
College of Business
The Dean’s Circle Award recognizes graduating students for exemplifying professionalism and academic excellence. One undergraduate student from each major is selected based on faculty nominations and academic standing. Awards are presented at the College of Business Graduation dinner during the fall and spring terms.
Computer Science and Information Technology
Outstanding graduating seniors are chosen by the department’s faculty members from all areas of Computer Science and Information Technology.
Chemistry
The George M. Rawlins, Jr. Chemistry Award is granted to the member of the graduating class who has the highest GPA among chemistry majors. The winner of the George M. Rawlins, Jr. Chemistry Award receives a certificate from the chemistry department and his or her name engraved on the Chemistry Department plaque.
Criminal Justice
Outstanding Student Awards
The Outstanding Student Awards are presented to two undergraduate students and one graduate student. These awards are chosen by the department’s faculty members.
John M. Genis Service Award
The John M. Genis Service Award will be given annually to the outstanding undergraduate who exemplifies service to the department, college, university, and/or discipline as chosen by the faculty in Criminal Justice.
The Harvey Blanck Physical Chemistry Award
This award honors Dr. Harvey Blanck for his more than 30 years of service to APSU as professor of physical chemistry and thus recognizes the outstanding physical chemistry student who has completed the one-year P-chem sequence. The award is a current edition of the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics.
Earth and Environmental Sciences
- James McCluskey Award
- This award goes to the outstanding senior in Geography. The award is based on academic excellence and is named after a distinguished Professor of Geography. The award comes with a plaque and a desk globe.
- Harry Law Award
- This award goes to the outstanding junior in Geography. The award is based on academic excellence and is named for the professor who started the Department of Geography at APSU in 1935. The award comes with a plaque.
- Robert Sirk Award
- This award goes to the outstanding sophomore in Geography. The award is based on academic excellence and is named after a well-loved Professor of Geography. The award comes with a plaque.
- William Steward Award
- This award goes to the outstanding senior in Geology. This award is based on academic excellence. This award is named after a professor who taught geology in the 1850’s, and became president of Stewart College which was located on the grounds of APSU. The award comes with a plaque and an engraved rock hammer.
- James Corgan Award
- This award goes to the outstanding junior in Geology. This award is based on academic excellence and is named for the professor who started the geology program in 1972 and was a long-time chair. This award comes with a plaque.
- Matthew Beebe Award
- This award foes to an outstanding sophomore majoring in Geology and it is based on academic excellence as demonstrated in and outside the classroom. This award is named after a young geology faculty member in our department who lost his life to cancer. This award comes with a plaque.
Engineering Technology
The Department of Engineering Technology presents high achieving students with the following awards: Outstanding Achievement Award, Academic Achievement Award, or the Professional Achievement Award.
Health and Human Performance - Joseph S. Filippo Award
Established in 2011 by the family of Joey Filippo, a $1000 award and commemorative plaque are presented to an outstanding HHP major, junior level or above, with a concentration in Applied Exercise Science or majoring in Kinesiology. The recipient must have a 2.75 GPA or above and demonstrate leadership, honesty and superior character.
Mathematics
The Mathematics Award is given to the graduating senior voted most outstanding by the faculty in the major field of mathematics. This award is given by the Clarksville Kiwanis Club. The Award Trophy will be awarded to the best sophomore mathematics student voted most outstanding by faculty in the department.
Military Science
The Military Science Awards are given annually to outstanding cadets in the ROTC program by various organizations at the national, state, local, and University level.
Music
The mission of the Pi Kappa Lambda Society is to provide an organization dedicated to the furtherance of music in education and education in music in colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning, which offer music degree programs in one or more fields. The primary objective of the Society is the recognition and encouragement of the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship.
The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award is selected by the music faculty. The Award recipient should show a high level of academic and musical accomplishment and embody the qualities of leadership and citizenship. The recipient is one who has grown individually and who has contributed earnestly to the success of the school of music. This award is an honor and the recipient, in his/her senior year, is to be known as a Presser Scholar.
Nursing
The following awards are given to graduating seniors: Distinguished Senior Award by the Nursing Alumni Association, four awards by the faculty for Academic Excellence, Outstanding Senior Nursing Student, Nu Phi Student Achievement, and R.N.-B.S.N. Leadership.
Political Science
The John Burgess Award is given to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average.
Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy
- Robert F. Sears Physics and Astronomy Award
Established by the family and friends of Dr. Robert Sears, longtime Chair of Physics until his death in 1999, an award and commemorative plaque are presented to an outstanding student in physics or astronomy. The recipient must closely identify with the legacy of Dr. Sears and be enthusiastically committed to the lifelong dedication to the sciences.
- The Mel Mayfield Outstanding Senior Award
Established in 2008 and named in honor of Mr. Mel Mayfield, founder of the APSU Department of Physics in 1957, an award and commemorative plaque are presented to the outstanding graduating senior as chosen by the Department Faculty.
Sociology
The W.E.B. Du Bois award is given to the graduating sociology major with the highest GPA.
Theatre and Dance
Named for Emeritus Professor of Theatre, Dr. Joe Filippo Award is given to the graduating senior with demonstrated academic achievement, proven integrity, and distinguised leadership within the Department of Theatre and Dance. Additionally, the Department of Theatre and Dance gived an Outstanding Senior award for the graduating senior with the highest GPA.
Student Organization and Leader Awards
Each year the division of Student Affairs recognizes students, student organizations, faculty and staff who have made significant contributions throughout the year both on and off campus through leadership, service and volunteerism. Awards presented include:
Mr. Governor and Madam Governor
The Student Government Association honors one graduating male and one graduating female for his and her outstanding service and achievement as an undergraduate student at Austin Peay State University.
Vice President’s Excellence in Leadership Award
The Vice President’s Excellence in Leadership Award recognizes a senior student who has excelled scholastically, has a distinguished record of involvement on campus, and has excelled in the area of student leadership on campus.
Fraternity Man and Sorority Woman of the Year
This award is presented to the overall social Fraternity Man & Sorority Woman student leaders who have made the most significant overall contribution to the Fraternity & Sorority community and to the University during the year and their Fraternity/Sorority career.
Student Organization of the Year
This award recognizes a registered student organization for overall efforts to contribute to the University community.
Greek Organization of the Year
This award recognizes the social Greek chapter that embodies the mission, vision and goals of APSU while advancing in the areas of chapter/campus programming, community service and philanthropic involvement, scholastic success and involvement within the campus and community at large.
Wyatt Spirit Award
Established by the APSU National Alumni Association in honor of the contributions and dedicated volunteerism of Fessey Wyatt Hackney and the late John Wyatt. This perpetual award is presented annually to the APSU student organization who exemplifies the most school spirit and participation throughout the academic year.
Greek Councils Presidents Cup
This award is given to one organization from each council with the highest chapter GPA for academic achievement.
The following organizations recognize and honor students for their academic achievements, leadership qualities, and service. Membership offers students the opportunity to associate and interact with others who have similar goals and interests. Go to https://www.apsu.edu/socialwork/student-organizations.php for a complete list of recognized groups and organization information.
Professional Organizations
- Alpha Kappa Psi (Business)
- American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
- Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
- Chi Epsilon Mu (Chemistry)
- Del Square Psi (Physics, Engineering, and Astronomy)
- Galois Math Club
- Geo Club
- History Club
- National Art Education Association
- National Association for Music Education Collegiate (NAfME)
- National Broadcast Society
- National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)
- Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Music – Males)
- Pi Sigma Alpha
- Pre Law Society
- Pre Professional Health Society
- Pre Vet Club
- Psychology Club
- Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
- Sigma Alpha Iota (Music – Females)
- Social Work Club
- Society for Technical Communications
- Sociology Club
- Student Nurses Association
- Student Tennessee Education Association
Honor Societies
- Alpha Lambda Delta (Freshmen)
- Alpha Psi Omega (Theatre and Dance)
- Alpha Sigma Lambda
- Beta Beta Beta
- Delta Tau Alpha
- Eta Sigma Phi
- Gamma Beta Phi (top 20% of class)
- Golden Key Honour Society
- Kappa Delta Pi (Education)
- Lambda Nu (Radiological Sciences)
- Laurel Wreath
- Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership)
- Order of Omega (Greek Leadership)
- Phi Alpha (Social Work)
- Phi Alpha Theta (History)
- Phi Kappa Chapter - Alpha Phi Sigma (Criminal Justice Honor Society)
- Phi Kappa Phi (Interdisciplinary)
- Psi Chi (Psychology)
- Sigma Beta Delta
- Sigma Delta Pi – Pi Nu (Spanish)
- Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics and Astronomy)
- Sigma Theta Tau (Nursing)
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