The Exemplo Capstone Awards is an annual recognition hosted by The Office of Student Involvement, University Programs (UP), Blackburn Institute, Student Government Association, UA Student Center, and the Center for Service and Leadership (CSL). This collaborative event honors the contributions of individuals and campus organizations to service and leadership within and outside of the UA community. These are the highest honors that can be bestowed upon student organizations and individuals in regard to campus leadership and service.
Applications
Each spring, UA campus community and organizations are invited to submit applications or nominations for the Exemplo Capstone Awards.
Award Categories
Organization Category Awards
Accolades are awarded to one outstanding student organization in each of our 14 organization categories for exhibiting exceptional student engagement and contributions to the University and community. The categories are listed below:
- Academic
- Advocacy
- Arts and Entertainment
- Club Sports
- Cultural and Identity-based
- Graduate
- Honors Societies
- Military
- Professional and Law
- Political
- Recreation and Athletic
- Religious and Spiritual
- Service
- Social and Fraternal
Individual and Overall Awards
In addition to our outstanding category awards, we also award the following higher awards to organizations and individuals:
- Capstone Innovation Award
- An organization who has produced an innovative program or initiative that was forward thinking and unique.
- Outstanding New Organization
- An organization created within the current academic year that has shown significant successes in its inaugural year.
- Outstanding Graduate Organization
- A graduate student organization that has augmented the collegiate experience for UA graduate students.
- Organization Event of the Year
- An organization that executed the most successful SOURCE registered event of the year.
- Advocacy In Action Award of the Year
- The organization that demonstrated the most effective advocacy program, cause, or event.
- The David L. Phelps Organization of the Year
- The organization that best exemplifies excellence in student involvement
- John L. Blackburn Advisor of the Year Award
- An advisor who goes above and beyond their responsibility to the organization and students through care and proper advisement.
- Will Byington Award for Student Officer of the Year (2 selected)
- A student organization officer who exemplifies the Capstone Creed, is an innovative and engaging leader who understands the mission of the organization, and has contributed to student life at The University in a way that embodies the characteristics of Will Byington.
2024-2025 Award Recipients
Organization Category Awards
- Outstanding Academic Organization: UASPACE
- Outstanding Advocacy Organization: Planned Parenthood Generation Action; Alabama Rural Health Association
- Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Organization: UA Museum Club
- Outstanding Club Sports Organization: UA Badminton Club
- Outstanding Honors Organization: Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
- Outstanding Political Organization: IGNITE National UA
- Outstanding Recreational and Athletic Organization: Pickleball Club
- Outstanding Service Organization: The Joy Project
- Outstanding Cultural/Identity-Based Organization: Black Student Union
- Outstanding Religious/Spiritual Organization: UA Vedic Society
- Outstanding Professional Organization: Financial Planning Association of UA
Individual and Overall Awards
- Advocacy in Action Award: Baby Steps at The University of Alabama
- Outstanding New Organization: Wish Makers at Bama
- Outstanding Graduate Student Organization: College of Education Graduate Student Association
- Capstone Innovation Award: La Escuelita de Ingles
- Student Organization Event of the Year: The Regency Ball hosted by the UA Museum Club and the Undergraduate Historical Society
- The David L. Phelps Organization of the Year: Nepalese Student Association
- John L. Blackburn Advisor of the Year: Eve Pentecost
- Will Byington Student Organization Officers of the Year: Pratiksha Chaudhari and Victoria O’Tool
Photo Gallery
The photos from this year’s ceremony is available in the photo gallery below.
2025 Exemplo Photo Gallery
