Founder's Day Awards for Student Excellence

Note: The student recipient appears first, followed by the selected inspirational faculty mentor.

  • 2020s: Henry Jacobson: John Paxton (2025), Amanda Guilland: Mary Ann Cummings (2024), Eli Quist: Brittany Fasy (2024), Bryce Leighton: John Paxton (2023), Connie Bernard: Mary Ann Cummings (2022), Elliott Pryor: John Sheppard (2022), Arnold Smithson: Sharlyn Gunderson-Izurieta (2021), Madison Tandberg: Carmen McSpadden (Leadership Institute, 2021), Nick Zetterberg: John Paxton (2021), Norhan Abbas: Sharlyn Gunderson-Izurieta (2020)
  • 2010s: Nathaniel Tranel: Upulee Kanewala (2019), Courtney Linder: Clem Izurieta (2018), Ashley Bertrand: John Paxton (2017), MacKenzie O'Bleness: Clem Izurieta (2017), Clint Cooper: Mike Wittie (2016), Logan Warberg: Hunter Lloyd (2015), Jon Fast: John Paxton (2014), Rachael Luhr: Clem Izurieta (2013), Nick Wills: John Paxton (2012), Melissa Dale: Denbigh Starkey (2011), Chris Conlon: John Paxton (2010)
  • 2000s: Bovard Tiberi: Rocky Ross (2009), Heidi Tynes: Denbigh Starkey (2009), Ian Lake: John Paxton (2008), Marcus Zoeller: John Paxton (2007), Colt Frederickson: John Paxton (2006), Ruben Martin: John Paxton (2005), Clint Frederickson: John Paxton (2004), Scott Duren: John Paxton (2003)
  • 1990s: Greg Foltz: John Paxton (1999), Lynn Voss: John Paxton (1997), Michael Grinder: John Paxton (1995)

Outstanding Undergraduate Course Assistant

  • 2020s: Matthew Vandeberg (2025), Maksym Makarchuk (2024), Ben Heinze (2023), Patrick O'Connor (2022), David Hamlin (2021), Lin Shi (2020)
  • 2010s: Reese Pearsall (2019), Jachike Madubuko (2018), Marie Morin (2018), Ashley Bertrand (2017), Caleb Bryson (2016)

Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher

  • 2020s: Alex Ellingsen (2025), Eli Quist (2024), Emry Krems (2023), Kajia Coziahr (2021), Elliott Pryor (2021), Ben Holmgren (2020)

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

  • 2021: Elliot Pryor (Mentors: Sean Yaw, Brendan Mumey, John Sheppard)
  • 2011: David Stevens, Honorable Mention (Mentor: Brendan Mumey)
  • 2004: Angie Kimmel
  • 2003: Bonnie Kirkpatrick (Mentor: Brendan Mumey)
  • 1997: Norah Esty
  • 1994: Kevin Scott (Mentor: Denbigh Starkey, Anne Garner - Graphic Design, Paul Monaco - Film & TV)
  • 1993: Michael Grinder (Mentor: John Paxton)
  • 1993: Chandra Roukema (Mentor: Denbigh Starkey)

Other Accolades

  • Alpha Lamba Delta Junior Award: Brandon Norick (2010)
  • Pure Gold Award: James Blazicevich (2012)
  • MSU Septemviri: Sandeep Reddy Gurram (2010-2011)
  • Truman Scholar Finalist: Logan Warberg (2014)
  • USA Today Academic All American: Kevin Scott (1995), Michael Grinder (1994), Chandra Roukema (1994)
  • Women's Center Student of Achievement: Luna Richards (2025), Maria Gallivan (2022), Madison Tandberg (2021), Courtney Linder (2018), MacKenzie O'Bleness (2017), Stephani Schielke (2012), Heidi Tynes (2009)