Leadership Development and Intercultural Affairs
Magnolia Award photo


Entertainment, food, and recognition are the order of the night for students who win a Magnolia Award.

Magnolia Awards

Spring 2009 Deadline information coming soon...

Please, click on the name of the award to view the application. If you have questions about this website please contact kendra.l.warden@vanderbilt.edu.

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Accolade: The Chancellor's Diversity Award
Accolade recognizes a rising senior whose academic achievement and participation in extracurricular activities contribute to the diversification of the Vanderbilt student body. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student and be scheduled to graduate May of 2009. A $5,000 scholarship, to be used during the recipient's senior year, is awarded annually.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: lyn.fulton-john@Vanderbilt.Edu

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Ada Bell Stapleton-Blanche Henry Weaver Scholarship
The Ada Bell Stapleton-Blanche Henry Weaver Scholarship honors Miss Stapleton, the first dean of women, and Mrs. Weaver, who served as dean of women, assistant professor of history, director of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program, and assistant dean of the Graduate School. Funded by the Vanderbilt Woman's Club, this $5,000 award is given to a rising junior or senior who is "an outstanding citizen on campus."

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: angela.m.cottrell@vanderbilt.edu

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Nora C. Chaffin Scholarship
This award was established in 1956 by the Women's Student Government Association in appreciation of the former Dean of Women's twenty years of service to Vanderbilt women students. A $2,000 award is given to a junior who "has displayed service to the University in the areas of student government, religious, literary, and scholastic activities and in the arts."

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: courtney.n.salters@vanderbilt.edu

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McGill Awards
 Awards presented through the generosity of the McGill family in honor of Dr. John T. and Lizzie Allen McGill, who provided students with an atmosphere of hospitality and guidance through their years at Vanderbilt. Descriptions of the awards are as follows:

  • John T. McGill Award
    Established in 1960 by Lizzie Allen McGill, this award is presented in memory of her husband, John T. McGill, who spent his life in service to Vanderbilt. John T. McGill graduated from Vanderbilt in 1879 and continued to serve Vanderbilt as professor emeritus of chemistry, Dean of the School of Pharmacy and finally a historian of the University.

    A $1000.00 check is presented each spring to the resident of McGill Hall "who has established qualities of leadership, as well as being a good student of gentle bearing." The recipient of the award is academically accomplished, exhibits respect for others, and has proven leadership ability.

    Questions regarding the award may be directed to: angela.s.wilkes@vanderbilt.edu


  • The John T. & Lizzie Allen McGill Freshman Awards
    (2 awarded)
    Established in 1994, this award is given "for the academically accomplished freshman student of gentle bearing who has shown kindness and respect for all others and who has established qualities of leadership." The award is based on academic accomplishment, strong character and demonstrated leadership ability.

    The freshmen recipients receive a $1000.00 check.

    Questions regarding the award may be directed to: angela.s.wilkes@vanderbilt.edu


  • The John T. and Lizzie Allen McGill Award
    Established in 1994, the award is given to an upper-class student "who is academically accomplished, has demonstrated qualities of leadership, and whose efforts have led to an increased understanding of other student's needs and a more civil campus atmosphere." The award is based on academic accomplishment, strong character and demonstrated leadership ability.

    The upper-class student recipient receives a $1000.00 check

    Questions regarding the award may be directed to: angela.s.wilkes@vanderbilt.edu

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Ripple In The Pond Award
In April 2001, the actions of two friends saved the life of Meredith Strong ('03) who had contracted a severe case of Bacterial Meningitis. This award honors those women who enhanced the character of their community by reaching out to help another in need. This $500 award is available to any Vanderbilt undergraduate student or group of students whose act or acts create connections, or "ripples" which acknowledge our humanity, and thereby advance our community, one-to-one, group-to-group.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: tanner.marcantel@vanderbilt.edu

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Robert Peter Pratt Memorial Award
 The Robert Peter Pratt Memorial Award was established at Vanderbilt University in 1991 to honor Robert Peter Pratt (1954-1991), associate director of Undergraduate Admissions and long time leader in promoting diversity within the student population. A $500 check is presented to the Chancellor's Scholar of junior or senior standing whose accomplishments best exemplify Robert Peter Pratt's commitment to diversity and unity, leadership and cooperation, warmth and openness, and unselfish service to others.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: lyn.fulton-john@Vanderbilt.Edu

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Susan Jung Award
This award is given by the Asian American Student Association (AASA) and Masala SACE (South Asian Cultural Exchange) to honor an undergraduate junior or senior in the Asian American Community who has shown outstanding commitment and passion to Vanderbilt through cultural and/or political education. The award honors those who exemplify the vision of Susan Jung '88, who founded AASA upon the principle of unity through diversity in the fall of 1986. The winner of this award receives a $500 check from the sponsoring organizations.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: n.jamerson@vanderbilt.edu

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Thomas M. Weser Award
This award was established in 1989 in memory of Thomas M. Weser, a German exchange student who was killed while attending Vanderbilt. Each year, the Weser Award recognizes an international student who has demonstrated an unusually strong commitment to intellectual life, cross-cultural appreciation, and personal integrity. The recipient is presented with an engraved cup and $250.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: marci.l.angevine@vanderbilt.edu

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William Aaron Pathfinder Awards For Outstanding Community Service
(2 awarded)
 This award acknowledges juniors or seniors whose uncommon community service efforts and leadership skills demonstrate vision, creativity, and innovation. Named in recognition of William Aaron (Class of '89), whose own pathfinding lead to the creation of the Office of Volunteer Activities--now the Office of Active Citizenship and Service--this award also celebrates Vanderbilt University's extraordinary history of service to the community. The recipients will each receive a $250 honorarium.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: shaiya.baer@vanderbilt.edu

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Muliebrity Prize
This award was established in 1996 in honor of the student newspaper, Muliebrity, which was published in 1992-93. The Muliebrity Prize, a $250 check and certificate, honors an undergraduate student who demonstrates leadership in activities that contribute to the achievements, interests and goals of women and girls, or that promote equity. Self-nominations are encouraged, as well as nominations by faculty, staff, advisors, friends and peers. The nomination process includes completion of a nominator form, nominee form, nominee résumé and letter of recommendation. To access the nomination packet in a word document, please click the appropriate link above. To access the forms for online completion, please follow the links:

NOMINATOR FORM

NOMINEE FORM

Email questions to: stacy.nunnally@vanderbilt.edu

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Joel Carl Lichter Memorial Award
The Joel Carl Lichter Memorial Award was established by Vanderbilt Professor Barry D. Lichter and his wife, Elizabeth, to honor the life of their son who graduated magna cum laude in 1981. The award is presented annually to a graduating senior who contributes by example to the promotion of outdoor education at Vanderbilt. Each recipient receives a cash prize and a copy of Professor Lichter's book, His Father's Teacher.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: linda.s.rosenkranz@vanderbilt.edu

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Glenn And Elizabeth Bogitsh Award
Established in 1989 in memory of Glenn Carlisle (B.S. '77) and Elizabeth Norris Bogitsh (B.S. '82), this award recognizes high standards in physical fitness, participation in recreational sports, and sportsmanship. It is awarded each year to a Vanderbilt undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates a strong commitment to campus recreational programs and by example and leadership has inspired participation and sportsmanlike conduct in these activities. A trophy is presented to the recipient and his/her name is engraved on a plaque in the Student Recreation Center.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: sarah.k.sjoberg@vanderbilt.edu

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Imani Award: James Lawson Award for Leadership
This award is presented to a graduating senior who has continuously been an integral part of campus life and has demonstrated an outstanding capacity for leadership and devotion to Vanderbilt.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: frank.dobson@Vanderbilt.Edu

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Rob Roy Purdy Award
Established in 1979 to honor the Senior Vice-Chancellor Emeritus, an engraved cup is presented annually to an upper-class student selected by the Dean of Students staff for demonstrating through leadership the qualities of humaneness, dedication, loyalty, and unselfish service to Vanderbilt University exemplified by Rob Roy Purdy. Application must be completed by a nominator within the Office of the Dean of Students.

Questions regarding the award may be directed to: sandy.stahl@vanderbilt.edu