Professional & Student Awards
Awards Open:
TBD - Check back in late October 2025
Questions
If you have questions, email
Brianna Smallman.
The Outstanding Master’s Thesis/Report Award was established in 2003 by the Graduate School to recognize exceptional work by master’s students and to encourage the highest levels of scholarship, research and writing.
Graduate Studies Committee (GSC) chairpersons nominate one master’s student from their programs for the award.
A thesis or report may be considered for this award.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the award, the thesis/report must meet one of the following criteria:
- It will be submitted in final form to the Graduate School by April 24, 2026, for a degree to be awarded in May 2026.
- It was submitted for a degree awarded in August 2025 or December 2025.
- It was submitted by April 25, 2025, for a degree awarded in May 2025.
These dates align with the Graduate School’s deadlines for final paperwork and graduation applications.
Nominations
The Graduate School's Online Awards System
Nominations should be submitted using the Graduate School’s online awards system, which you can access at this link.
Nominators are required to solicit all required documentation from their respective nominees and to upload it on the nominee’s behalf.
To complete the online application, collect the following:
- A cover letter from the chairperson of the GSC briefly describing why the thesis/report was chosen for nomination by the program
- Two letters of support from among the following:
- The thesis supervisor
- The graduate adviser
- The department chair
- A committee member
- One copy of the thesis, including the abstract
Evaluation
The faculty review committees will consider both the methodological and substantive aspects of the thesis or report, including the:
- Importance/impact of the subject;
- Originality/creativity of the work;
- Quality of the scholarship;
- Potential for publishing;
- Organization of the dissertation;
- Quality of the writing; and
- Other appropriate factors that denote excellence.
Individuals writing letters of support should be encouraged to keep these criteria in mind as they comment on the significance/major contribution of the thesis or report and the particular aspects of the thesis or report that distinguish it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should the nomination and supporting letters be?
There’s no required length. Please be sure that all requested information is thoroughly included in both the nomination and supporting documentation.
What are the nomination categories for the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation and Master’s Thesis or Report awards?
There are three main areas:
Area A — Humanities and Fine Arts
Includes programs focused on human culture, expression, and historical understanding.
Examples:
- Humanities: English / Literature, History, Philosophy, Linguistics, Religious Studies, Classics, Cultural Studies
- Fine Arts: Studio Art, Art History, Music (Performance, Composition, Theory), Theatre and Dance, Film and Media Studies, Creative Writing
Area B — Social Sciences, Business, and Education
Covers disciplines that study society, human behavior, and organizational systems.
Examples:
- Social Sciences: Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Political Science, Geography, Economics, Public Affairs / Public Policy
- Business: MBA Programs, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management, Information Systems
- Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Special Education, Higher Education Administration, Counseling and Student Services
Area C — Mathematics, Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Biological and Life Sciences
Includes programs focused on scientific inquiry, quantitative analysis, and technological innovation.
Examples:
- Mathematics: Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computational Science
- Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical and Computer, Civil, Chemical, Biomedical, Aerospace Engineering
- Physical Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences (Geology, Geophysics), Astronomy, Materials Science
- Biological and Life Sciences: Biology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Ecology, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences
Can I submit an incomplete dissertation or thesis for the Outstanding Dissertation & Master’s Thesis/Report award?
No. Only completed dissertations and master’s theses/reports will be considered. Incomplete submissions are not eligible but may be submitted the following year once finalized.
Who should nomination letters be addressed to?
All nomination letters should be addressed to the Review Committee.
What is the submission deadline?
All submissions must be received by 11:59 PM CST on the day of the stated deadline on the awards page.
How many nominations can each department submit for the Outstanding Student Employee award?
Each department may submit one nomination per category: one for a Teaching Assistant (TA) and one for an Assistant Instructor (AI).
2025 Award Recipient
Brody Manquen
Program: Geography and the Environment
Thesis Title: Lidar at the Margins of the Mediterranean: Evaluating Lidar-based Archaeological Survey in Mediterranean and Cycladic Landscapes