Student Awards and Honor Societies

A. Farrell Teague Merit Scholarship for Rising Seniors (Junior)

The Teague Scholarship was created by Arthur Farrell Teague and is used to assist rising seniors who have achieved a high level of academic and extracurricular success during their time at UNCW. Every year a recipient is chosen as the recipient of “The Teague Award.” The scholarship is considered a merit scholarship and the recipient will be selected on demonstrated academic ability and special achievement, and must have a comprehensive GPA above 3.5. The scholarship is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Cornerstone Awards Banquet. 

Adrian D. Hurst Award

Established by Adrian D. Hurst, emeritus professor of mathematics, this award recognizes a UNCW junior or senior math major who has achieved the highest overall academic grade point average. The award is presented each spring in the form of a plaque.

Biological Sciences Achievement Award

This award was established by the faculty of the Department of Biology and Marine Biology to honor annually the graduating senior biology major who has achieved the highest academic standing. The recipient is identified on a permanent plaque in Friday Hall.

Distinguished Engagement Award (Junior or Senior)

The Distinguished Engagement Award is presented to a select group of junior, senior, and transfer students who have made a significant contribution to UNCW over the course of their undergraduate experience. Recipients must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. The award is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Cornerstone Awards Banquet. 

Excellence in Engagement Award (Sophomore or Junior)

The Excellence in Engagement Award is presented to a select group sophomore, junior, and transfer students for outstanding contributions to improving the quality of student life during their time at UNCW. Recipients must currently be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. The award is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Cornerstone Awards Banquet. 

Hoggard Medal For Achievement

“The Hoggard Medal” presented through the generosity of the late Dr. John T. Hoggard, is awarded annually to one graduating senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, has shown the most improvement during their years at the university. The award is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Senior Excellence Luncheon.

Margaret Walthour Lippitt Scholarship

The New Student Leader Award is designed to honor a first-year student with a 3.00 GPA or higher who has demonstrated leadership potential, service to UNCW and the community, personal integrity, and significant involvement in campus organizations. The scholarship is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Cornerstone Awards Banquet.

Martha M. Duncan Scholarship (Sophomore or Junior)

The Martha M. Duncan Scholarship is presented to one sophomore or junior student. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. The recipient serves as a “LEAD Fellow” for Student Involvement and Leadership in the department of Campus Life for their scholarship year. The scholarship is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Cornerstone Awards Banquet.

Rachel Freeman Service Leadership Award

The Freeman Award, established in honor of the late Mae “Rachel” Freeman, is given to a senior with a cumulative GPA of 2.67 who has demonstrated commitment to bettering the lives of others, leading through examples of service, and the ability to work with others to create social change. The award is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Senior Excellence Luncheon.

Pat Leonard Senior Medallion Award (Seniors Graduating in May or December)

The Pat Leonard Senior Medallion Award is the most prestigious award presented by the Division of Student Affairs on behalf of the university community. The award was renamed in 2021 to honor Pat Leonard, the late Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and her 37 years of exemplary service to UNCW.  Recipients must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. The award is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Senior Excellence Luncheon. 

The Carolyn Elizabeth (Lizzy) Duffy Student Sustainability Award

The Duffy Student Sustainability Award is presented to one student who has been at UNCW at least one semester during the academic year. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The Carolyn Elizabeth (Lizzy) Duffy Student Sustainability Award was created in March of 2015 to honor the efforts of Lizzy, particularly for spearheading the proposal for The Green Initiative Fund, which brought support, resources and visibility to sustainability at UNCW. The scholarship is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Cornerstone Awards Banquet.

The Walter Schmid Physics Award

This award has been established in honor of the late Walter Schmid, engineer and inventor, to reward a senior bachelor of science physics major for excellence in physics. The award consists of an engraved plaque and a physics encyclopedia.

UNCW Laureate Award (Sophomore or Junior)

The UNCW Laureate Award, inspired by the Nobel Peace Prize, is presented to one sophomore or junior student. The recipient must be in good standing with the university and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00. The scholarship is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Cornerstone Awards Banquet.

William A. Bryan Senior Leader Award

Student Involvement and Leadership in the department of Campus Life, with the support of the Alumni Association, sponsors the William A. Bryan Senior Leader Award. The award is given to a senior with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 who has demonstrated outstanding leadership on campus and/or in the community. Special emphasis is placed on integrity, creativity, ability to collaborate, and service to others. The award is presented annually at the Division of Student Affairs Senior Excellence Luncheon.

Honor Societies at UNCW

Beta Alpha Psi

Beta Alpha Psi is a national scholastic and professional accounting fraternity. The primary objective of the fraternity is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the field of accounting. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting; providing opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing accountants; and encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility.

Beta Alpha Psi was founded in 1919. The Iota Alpha chapter at UNCW was chartered in 1996 and is a registered student organization through the Campus Activities and Involvement Center.

Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society

Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is a society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 175,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 430 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. TriBeta is a registered student organization through the Campus Activities and Involvement Center.

Gamma Sigma Epsilon

Gamma Sigma Epsilon, a national honorary chemical society, was founded at Davidson College on December 19, 1919. The society recognizes academic excellence in chemistry and fosters a more comprehensive and cooperative study of chemistry and related scientific disciplines. The organization now has 35 active chapters in 22 states, and is growing rapidly. The Alpha Epsilon chapter was established at UNCW in 2001. Eligibility for membership includes junior or senior standing, a 3.35 GPA on at least 30 hours of chemistry courses, and a 3.35 GPA.

Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education

Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education is committed to recognizing excellence and fostering mutual cooperation, support, and professional growth for educational professionals.

Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society

Lambda Pi Eta is the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association (NCA). As a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), LPH has over 400 active chapters at four-year colleges and universities worldwide. LPH was founded in 1985 at the University of Arkansas. LPH became a part of the National Communication Association (NCA) in 1988, and the official honor society of the NCA in July 1995. LPH is a registered student organization through the Campus Activities and Involvement Center.

Omicron Delta Epsilon Economics Honor Society

Omicron Delta Epsilon was founded by Professor John R. Commons at the University of Wisconsin in 1915. Its objectives include conferring distinction for high scholastic achievement in economics and stimulating and promoting student interest in all aspects of economics. ODE is a registered student organization through the Campus Activities and Involvement Center.

Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc.

Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) is the National Leadership Honor Society that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. Membership in ODK is a mark of the highest distinction and honor.

The society recognizes achievements in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service; social, religious activities, and campus government; journalism, speech and mass media; and the creative and performing arts. Emphasis is placed on the development of the whole person, both as a member of the college community and as a contributor to a better society. ODK is a registered student organization through the Campus Activities and Involvement Center.

Order of Omega

Order of Omega is a leadership honor society for members of Greek-letter organizations. Order of Omega recognizes juniors and seniors who have exemplified high standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership, involvement within their respective organization, and within the Greek, campus, and local communities. Members are selected from the top 3 percent of fraternity and sorority members at each institution. To date, over 500 chapters have been chartered throughout North America, each sharing the common goal of recognizing the many outstanding student leaders at their institution.

Phi Alpha National Honor Society in Social Work

Phi Alpha is a nationally recognized honor society for both undergraduate and graduate students majoring in social work. Founded in 1960, Phi Alpha now includes over 225 chapters. The Eta Omega Chapter of Phi Alpha was established at UNCW in 1998. The society recognizes students for excellence in scholarship and achievement in the field of social work. Eligibility for membership requires students to major in a CSEW-accredited social work program, have completed 9 semester hours of social work courses, achieved a minimum social work GPA of 3.25, and a minimum overall GPA of 3.00. Phi Alpha is registered as a student organization through the Campus Activities and Involvement Center.

Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology

Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology. It was founded in 1929 in New Haven, Connecticut, to encourage, stimulate and maintain excellence in scholarship, and to advance the science of psychology. Psi Chi is an affiliate of the American Psychological Association and a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. The University of North Carolina Wilmington Chapter of Psi Chi was chartered on May 1, 1981, and is one of approximately 675 chapters nationwide. Psi Chi is registered as a student organization through the Campus Activities and Involvement Center.

A further list of academic honor societies with verified chapters at UNCW may be found at https://www.uncw.edu/aa/Academic_Honor_Societies.html

Chancellor’s List and Dean’s List

Each semester, outstanding scholarship is recognized in the following tiered manner:

Chancellor’s List

The Chancellor’s List is composed of the names of all full-time undergraduates who earn a 4.0 semester GPA on all work taken. Eligibility for this designation will be determined once all grades for the semester have been posted and any incomplete or IP grades have been converted.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List is composed of the names of all full-time undergraduates who earn at least a 3.5 semester GPA on all work taken with no grades “B-” or below. Eligibility for this designation will be determined once all grades for the semester have been posted and any incomplete or IP grades have been converted.