The student awards are presented to students in each of the following categories who demonstrate success. They are considered to be some of the most prestigious awards for students to earn at Utah Tech University. Nominations open at 8:00am on January 12, 2026, and will close at 5:00pm on February 20, 2026. They can be submitted by members of the campus, as well as from the community. A preliminary screening committee will review the materials, then select five finalists in each category. Those finalists will move on to the final judging committee, where a winner will be selected.
Student of the Year
This award is the most prestigious award that a student can earn at Utah Tech University. It celebrates “Active Learning. Active Life.” by recognizing an outstanding “all-around” student who has left their mark and had a significant impact on the university as a whole.
This award recognizes a student who has distinguished themselves as outstanding through:
- Serving Utah Tech University and the community in a variety of ways
- Being actively involved in several Utah Tech University teams, clubs, and/or organizations
- Attending a variety of University events in support of other students
- Advocating for Utah Tech University and our mission
- Leading students in a way that enhances the success of the University
- Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5
- Completing three or more semesters of full-time enrollment at Utah Tech University prior to their nomination
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Entertainer of the Year
This award is presented each year to a student who has demonstrated incredible talent, visibility, and dedication as an entertaining student at Utah Tech University. Nominees for Entertainer of the Year may come from any member of the campus community.
This award is presented to an outstanding student performer/entertainer who has:
- Shown exemplary talent, skill, and dedication in their chosen discipline
- Been in the public eye–performing or entertaining as a representative of Utah Tech
- Had multiple performance opportunities before various audiences this school year
- Demonstrated heavy involvement within a particular Utah Tech group, ensemble, or department
- Maintained full-time enrollment for two or more semesters
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Personality of the Year
Personality of the Year nominations may come from any member of the campus community.
This award recognizes a student:
- Whose unique character, enthusiasm, and positive attitude have made a lasting impression on Utah Tech University
- Who has discovered their individuality and is not afraid to let it show
- Who has contributed to the positive morale of faculty, staff, and students on campus
- Who exemplifies all that is positive about the “Trailblazer Spirit”
- Maintained a full-time enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters at Utah Tech University
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Club/Organization of the Year
Nominations for Club/Organization of the Year may come from any member of the campus community. The nomination forms are reviewed by a preliminary screening panel and weighed against category criteria to narrow the field to five finalists by a preliminary screening committee. Nomination materials for the five finalists are passed to the UTSA Club Council who selects the winner.
This award recognizes a student club that contributes to the well-being of Utah Tech University through:
- Demonstrating consistent strength, campus activity, and commitment to serving the members of their club and others
- Enthusiastically being involved and supportive of campus life, social events, and participating in UTSA events
- Providing educational and social opportunities for its members that enhance the institutional reputation
- Maintaining a charter through Utah Tech’s Club Council
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Stafford Student Involvement Award
The Stafford Student Involvement Award is named in honor of Donna Stafford, who served as Director of Student Activities at Utah Tech University for nearly two decades. Nominations for this award may come from any member of the campus community. This category is not open to members of the UTSA Executive Council.
This award recognizes a student who has:
- Shown extraordinary commitment within one specific organization, club, team, or department at Utah Tech University
- Made contributions to a specific area that were not only visible to those within the organization, but became impactful and meaningful to the campus as a whole
- Gone above and beyond their call of duty in one organization, club, team, or department
- Maintained full-time enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters
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The Grit Award
Nominations for the GRIT award may come from any member of the campus community.
This award recognizes a student who has:
- Faced and overcome significant personal obstacles
- Found the strength and ability to succeed in their educational pursuits
- Maintained full-time enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters