UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Student Affairs is now accepting nominations for its annual Student Achievement Awards. These awards recognize both undergraduate and graduate students for their outstanding achievements inside and outside of the classroom. 

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations by the Dec. 11 deadline. Those chosen as winners are typically presented their awards during the spring undergraduate or graduate award ceremonies. 

The Student Leadership and Involvement Student Achievement Awards include: 

• The Eric. A Walker Award 
  Presented to a graduating senior, this award recognizes a senior student whose activities and achievements have enhanced the public esteem and renown of Penn State.  

• The John W. Oswald Award 
  Recognizing graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of the areas of scholarship, athletics, social services, religious activities, student government, journalism, speech, mass media, or creative performing arts. 

• The Ralph Dorn Hetzel Memorial Award 
  These awards recognize the achievements and potential of outstanding undergraduate students who have demonstrated the qualities of responsible leadership during their college careers and give promise of public-spirited achievement in the future. This award will be presented only to graduating members of the senior class who have shown outstanding academic achievement and have demonstrated leadership in University or other public activities. 

• Graduate Student Service Award 
  An award recognizing the graduate student who has best combined high academic achievement with leadership in University or other public activities. 

• The Jackson Lethbridge Tolerance Award  
  Recognizing broad-minded students who openly promote responsible citizenship and civil respect for diversity within the Penn State community while emphasizing a nature of respectful tolerance for the differences among our constituents. 

For more details and to nominate a deserving student, visit the Student Affairs website for nomination criteria and submission instructions. Student Leadership and Involvement, a unit in the division of Student Affairs, cultivates student learning by fostering exploration, community engagement, and development through educational and experiential opportunities.