The Exemplo Capstone Awards is an annual recognition hosted by The Office of Student Involvement, University Programs (UP), Student Government, Student Center, and 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.
2023-2024 Award Recipients
Organization Category Awards
- Outstanding Academic Organization: The Higher Education Assembly for Research in Tuscaloosa
- Outstanding Advocacy Organization: Queer Student Association
- Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Organization: UA Museum Club
- Outstanding Club Sports Organization: Alabama Water Ski
- Outstanding Honors Organization: National Society of Leadership and Success
- Outstanding Political Organization: Vote Everywhere
- Outstanding Recreational and Athletic Organization: Alabama Barbell Club
- Outstanding Service Organization: Environmental Council
- Outstanding Social/Fraternal Organization: Greek Programming Board
- Outstanding Cultural/Identity-Based Organization: South Asian Culture Club
- Outstanding Religious/Spiritual Organization: UA Vedic Society
- Outstanding Military Organization: “S.H.I.N.E.” Spreading Hope Inspiration and Education
- Outstanding Professional Organization: Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students
Individual and Overall Awards
- Advocacy in Action Award: Minority Association for Pre-Medical Students
- Outstanding New Organization: The Higher Education Assembly for Research in Tuscaloosa
- Outstanding Graduate Student Organization: Graduate Student Association
- Capstone Innovation Award: Grow the Game
- Student Organization Event of the Year: Diwali, Indian Student Association of Tuscaloosa
- The David L. Phelps Organization of the Year: International Students Association
- John L. Blackburn Advisor of the Year: Dr. Lingyan Kong
- Will Byington Student Organization Officers of the Year: Praphull Kumar and Savannah Prefontaine
Please click this link to view photos from this year’s awards ceremony.
Center for Service and Leadership Awards
Each year, the Center for Service and Leadership gives special recognition and awards to those students, groups, and organizations that have shown devotion and dedication to providing service throughout the community. As part of the Exemplo Capstone Awards, the Center for Service and Leadership awards Volunteer of the Year, Outstanding Service Project of the Year, and Outstanding New Community Partner. For questions about these awards, please contact the Center for Service and Leadership via phone (205) 348-2865 or email at volunteer@ua.edu.
