— Office of Graduate Studies — Education — Awards and Recognition

Awards and Recognition

We strive to give our graduate students the best education possible. Many of these students have gone above and beyond to pave the path for a better tomorrow, accomplishing exemplary displays of ability, brightness, and determination.

We celebrate those accomplishments and celebrate the efforts they make throughout their graduate careers.

Graduate Students of Distinction

This award honors the outstanding work of UNMC students who have received national or international recognition. Our graduate students are talented, and we want to make sure to honor their accomplishments.

Recognition as a Graduate Student of Distinction is reserved for students who have received:

a fellowship based on review of applications from a national/international pool of candidates (NIH, NSF, AHA, etc.);
an award based on presentation of research results at a national meeting (abstract-based awards do not qualify);
an appointment to a standing committee of a national scientific society or professional association (ASPET, AAI, APS, AHA, AAUW, etc.);
or similar accomplishments.

Do you know of someone who needs to be recognized?

Please notify us of any major honors received by UNMC graduate students by emailing Graduate Studies the relevant information: notice of award, a 2-3 sentence description of the research that is being funded, and a recent headshot.

Students wearing academic attire prepare for a graduation ceremony

Current Students of Distinction

Read about our current Graduate Students of Distinction.

2021-2022 Praesto Award Recipient: Laura E. Flores (PhD in MSIA – Patient-Oriented Research)

2021-2022 Thomas Jefferson Ingenuity Award Recipient: Safwan K. Elkhatib (PhD in IGPBS - Integrative Physiology & Molecular Medicine)

Praesto Award

The Praesto Award is presented once a year to recognize the most exceptional graduate student, based on excellence in multiple areas or excellence overall. The award is presented at the Spring Graduate Studies Convocation Ceremony.

Criteria

Eligibility

Nomination Process

The particular strengths and activities of the winner vary widely each year. Given the nature of the award, there is no specific minimum standard or weighting for any of the various criteria. The Selection Committee looks at:

Cumulative graduate GPA
Leadership at the UNMC, community, regional and/or national levels
Service to UNMC, the community, and/or profession
Publications
Certificates earned in addition to the degree
Thesis/Dissertation

Thomas Jefferson Ingenuity Award

The Thomas Jefferson Ingenuity Award recognizes one PhD student who has shown unmatched creativity and ingenuity in completing the research requirements of their doctoral dissertation. It is presented at the Spring Graduate Studies Convocation Ceremony.

Criteria

Eligibility

Nomination Process

History

For the purpose of selecting the award recipient, a broad and encompassing definition should be applied to "creativity and ingenuity," from making a discovery at a molecular level to improving the quality of life for a physically and/or mentally ill patient. The award may not be given during the academic cycle if, in the Selection Committee's opinion, none of the nominations are meritorious enough.

Derry-Crouse Emerging Campus Community Leader Award

The Derry-Crouse Emerging Campus Community Leader Award honors a graduate student who creates a welcoming environment for students on campus, advocates for the needs and interests of diverse student communities and displays leadership in promoting a sense of belonging among students.

Criteria

Eligibility

Nomination Process

The Derry-Crouse Emerging Campus Community Leader Award is open to any graduate student who:

is in good academic standing.
is actively engaged in programs and/or leading activities that create a welcoming environment on campus, advocate for the needs and interests of diverse student communities, and/or promote a sense of belonging among students.
has not, at the time of application, completed more than 36 months as a graduate student at UNMC.
is not also a faculty or staff member at UNMC or Nebraska Medicine.

Derry-Crouse Emerging Student Organization Leader Award

The Derry-Crouse Emerging Student Organization Leader Award recognizes graduate students who are aspiring leaders and whose commitment has made a positive impact on a registered student organization, student group at UNMC, or in the broader community.

Criteria

Eligibility

Nomination Process

Any graduate student who:

is in good academic standing.
is an active member of at least one registered student organization or group and has taken on a new leadership role in that organization/group in the past 12 months.
has not, at the time of application, completed more than 36 months as a graduate student at UNMC.
is not also a faculty or staff member at UNMC or Nebraska Medicine.

Thomas H. Rosenquist Graduate Student Award

The Thomas H. Rosenquist Graduate Student Award This award recognizes a PhD student who demonstrated outstanding skill and leadership in research, as well as teaching and mentoring. It was created to honor the legacy of Dr. Rosenquist, chair of the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy and the first Vice Chancellor for Research at UNMC.

Criteria

Eligibility

Nomination Process

Any Ph.D. student in any basic science department at UNMC who is eligible to walk in the December or May commencement ceremonies held during a single academic year. For example, August and December 2023 graduates (who walked in December 2023) and May 2024 graduates (who walked in May 2024) are eligible for the 2023-2024 Thomas H. Rosenquist Graduate Student Award.

The call for nominations, including a list of eligible individuals, will be distributed to Graduate Program Directors as soon as possible after the deadline for students to apply for May graduation. Each Program Director can nominate one individual for consideration during the annual award cycle. The process and criteria used to select an outstanding nominee for this award should be developed and implemented by each Program Director, with advice and consent from the members of the Graduate Faculty in that program. Programs are encouraged to nominate the most qualified individual from among all UNMC graduate programs. The nomination packe must be submitted no later than March 15.

Service-Learning and Professional Development Badge Program

The Service-Learning and Professional Development Badge Program empowers graduate students to document their learning from time devoted to a wide range of important activities that advance their education and careers outside of the laboratory or classroom.

More information about the badge program, eligible activities, and instructions for recording your hours can be found here in the badge program guide.

UNMC offers four levels of recognition (bronze through platinum), with each increasing level requiring more service learning or interprofessional education activities.
Students will be awarded with a bronze, silver, gold, or platinum badge based on their achievements that can be included on the CV and will be acknowledged at the Graduate Studies Convocation Ceremony upon graduation.