Student Leadership Awards

Students participating in a leadership program share a group hug. Students can nominate their peers for student leadership awards.

The Student Leadership Awards celebrate the accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff leaders on the Homewood campus.

You can nominate undergraduate students, faculty, staff, and/or nominate yourself for awards. You can also nominate students for induction into Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society. Various offices on the Homewood Campus offer leadership awards. Below you’ll find descriptions of awards from each area.

Please check back for information on this year’s Student Leadership Awards ceremony.

Student Leadership Award Descriptions

Dean of Students Awards

Dean of Students Awards

  • The David G. Sandberg Award for Campus Leadership. An award established in 1991 in honor of David G. Sandberg, a member of the Class of 1972. This distinction is presented to an outstanding Junior who has demonstrated dedication to a variety of co-curricular organizations.
  • The Alexander K. Barton Cup. A member of the Senior Class receives Hopkins’s oldest undergraduate award each year. This student serves the interests and ideals of the University and exemplifies the qualities of Alexander K. Barton (1914). This student has won the respect and affection of their peers.
  • The Belle and Herman Hammerman Award. An honor established by Belle G. Hammerman in memory of her son, Judge Robert I. H. Hammerman of the Class of 1950. A graduating Senior who is entering law school. The awardee demonstrates academic excellence and outstanding leadership.
  • The Christopher J. Pinto Memorial Award. An award established by the alumni of the 1984 Class of Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity and friends of the Pinto family. It recognizes a senior who reflects the academic abilities, leadership, and strong moral character of Chris Pinto.
  • Christopher B. Elser Prizes. For a junior or senior who has a record of active participation and leadership in campus life and campus activities; demonstrates active participation and commitment to community service; and a demonstrated passion for athletics and recreation.

Center for Diversity and Inclusion Awards (CDI)

Center for Diversity and Inclusion Awards

  • CDI Exemplary Leadership Award: Recognizes an undergraduate Junior or Senior student who has dedicated their tenure at Hopkins to impact and/or transform the JHU community through their brand of intersectional leadership. This is achieved through their direct work leading organizations, initiatives, and/or impact opportunities. The recipient of this award models exceptional reach across the communities they serve and through an inclusive lens.
  • CDI Community Ambassador Award: Recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who contributes significantly to diversity, equity and inclusion by engaging through acts of service/community programs that improve the lives of others. The recipient of this award exhibits characteristics of leadership, social responsibility, advocacy/allyship, and influences change agency within those communities.
  • The Owens-Hall-Bilgrave Award: Recognizes a faculty or staff member dedicated and committed to the diversity and inclusion education of the campus community. This award is named after three former African American administrators who were strong advocates for the full participation of students in campus leadership. The recipient of this award will have demonstrated investments in student leadership, mentorship, outreach, and advocacy.
  • CDI, Student Organization of the Year
    This award is given to a student organization that has exemplified true leadership around the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion. They are providing support through creating a sense of community and belonging for their members, while embodying the spirit of education, advocacy, and solidarity to the larger JHU community.

Senior Class Council Awards

Senior Class Council Leadership Awards

  • The Gilman Cup. An honor given to a staff member who contributes to student life outside the classroom.
  • The Gold Cup. A recognition for a faculty member who enhances the undergraduate experience of the Senior Class.
  • The Old Gold and Sable Award. An honor for a retiring faculty or staff member who has a profound impact on students’ lives.
  • The Homewood Cup. An award for a staff member who goes above and beyond to assist students.
  • The Homewood Award. A distinction for a student organization who has the greatest positive impact on campus.

Student Government Association (SGA) Leadership Awards

Student Government Association Leadership Awards

  • The Emerging Leaders Award for Undergraduates: A recognition of an undergraduate student who makes new and significant contributions to student life.
  • Blue Jay Award: A recognition of an undergraduate student graduating in 2021 (senior) who enhanced campus community and demonstrated a commitment to Johns Hopkins University’s values.
  • Spirit Award: A recognition of an undergraduate student graduating in 2022 (junior) who enhanced campus community and demonstrated a commitment to Johns Hopkins University’s values.
  • Heritage Award: A recognition of an undergraduate student graduating in 2023 (sophomore) who enhanced campus community and demonstrated a commitment to Johns Hopkins University’s values.
  • Pride Award: A recognition of an undergraduate student graduating in 2024 (freshman) who enhanced campus community and demonstrated a commitment to Johns Hopkins University’s values.
  • The Homewood Award. A distinction for a student organization that has the greatest positive impact on campus.
  • The Dunn Family Award: An award named after three generations of Hopkins alumni: Wendell E. Dunn, Class of 1921; Wendell E. Dunn, Jr., B.E., Class of 1943; Thomas B. Dunn, B.S., Class of 1946; and Wendell E. Dunn III, B.A., Class of 1966. The Student Government Association Senate grants this honor to a faculty or staff member because of their positive impact on students outside of the classroom.
  • The George E. Owen Teaching Award: An award for outstanding teaching and devotion to undergraduate students.

Leadership, Engagement and Experiential Development (LEED) Awards

LEED Leadership Awards

  • The Outstanding Advisor Award. An honor, given to a student organization advisor who shows dedication to their group’s goals. Moreover, this person successfully supports the organization through significant growth or trial.
  • The Outstanding Student Program Award. A recognition presented to the Homewood student organization whose creative and unique program or event sets the standard for quality programming at JHU for the year.
  • The Old Gold and Sable Award. An honor for a retiring faculty or staff member who has a profound impact on students’ lives. Organization maybe
  • The Staff Excellence for Leadership and Service Award. Recognition for a member of the Homewood staff who demonstrates a commitment to helping students.
  • The William J. Friday Award. Recognition for a graduating senior who has demonstrated an overall special contribution to Hopkins in the areas of leadership and service through participation in campus activities.

Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society Nominations

ODK Leadership Honor Society Nominations

ODK is one the nation’s oldest and most prestigious national honor societies. Strong candidates for induction rank in the top 35% of their class. These students are also involved in a variety of ways on campus. Nominations are accepted at the beginning of each academic year.

Arts and Innovation Awards

Arts and Innovation Awards

  • Rising Star Award: This award is presented to a first or second-year Homewood undergraduate student who has shown an early and meaningful impact to the arts on campus through community engagement, organizational leadership, and artistic excellence.
  • Arts Legacy Award: This award is presented to a graduating Homewood senior who has contributed significantly to the arts on campus during their time at Hopkins. Their involvement demonstrates leadership in the arts, with student organizations, and as a participant in arts performances on campus.
  • Creative Collaborator: This award is presented to an organization on campus that has added to the culture of artistic creativity and collaboration on campus.
  • Freedman Creative Media Award: This award of up to $4,000 in equipment purchase and support is presented to a continuing JHU student (1-3 year undergrad, or continuing grad student) to support a Digital Media project with a focus on creative output, collaboration, and digital media. Purchased equipment remains at the Digital Media Center for future student use.
  • Gebelein Award: Awarded to a junior or senior band member (1-2) who has contributed to the bands on campus as a musician and leader. (Awarded internally, no application)

Center for Social Concern Awards

Center For Social Concern Awards

  • The Baltimore Award: A recognition for commitment and passion with engaging the Baltimore community through the means of service and participating in local events and activities. Someone who actively engages in Baltimore by going to locally sponsored events, volunteering with local nonprofits and communities, and speaking on the spirit of the community and encourages peers in engaging in the same way
  • Civic Leader Award: An award for an individual who has had a dedication for voter and civic education and engagement within the campus community and in the broader community. Someone who has been active in voter registration, participates in issue-based advocacy and/or civic education both on campus and in the broader community (Baltimore and beyond)

CEO Tutor Awards

CEO Tutor Awards

The Henderson-Hopkins Math Tutorial Program Undergraduate Tutor Award: Celebrates the outstanding achievements of a FLI (first-generation, limited-income) student who has demonstrated leadership, a passion for education, and commitment to the Baltimore City community.

The Henderson-Hopkins Math Tutorial Program Graduate Tutor Award: Celebrates an exceptional graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism and leadership, a passion for public education, and a commitment to the Baltimore City community.

The Henderson-Hopkins Math Tutorial Program Lead Tutor Award: Celebrates the achievements and dedication of a student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, a passion for education, commitment to the Baltimore City community, and whose work has contributed to the overall success of the program.