Student Leadership Awards

In collaboration with several other campus offices, the Office of the Dean of Students recognizes students for several awards during the annual Student Leadership Awards ceremony each April. 

For the 2026 Student Leadership Awards:

Nominations are now open for the Lux Service Award, Outstanding Student Leader Award, and Servant Leadership Award. Nominations may be made by students, staff, or faculty. Self-nominations will be accepted.

Timeline: 

Nominations for the Lux Service Award, Outstanding Student Leader Award, and Servant Leadership Award may be made by students, faculty, or staff. Self-nominations are encouraged and accepted. Nominations will close on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. 

All current students who are nominated will be contacted via email following the closing of the nominations with detailed instructions to complete the application process. Completed applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.

Upon review of completed applications by the selection committee individual students will be invited to participate in interviews.

Servant Leadership interviews will be held during the weeks of February 23 and March 2, 2026. 
Outstanding Leader and Lux interviews will be held during the weeks of February 23 and March 2, 2026.

Award winners will be announced at the 2025 Student Leadership Awards on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. 

Dean of Students

The Beverly Funk Barnes Student Excellence Award 

This award recognizes students who continually create new value through dedication, passion, and creativity for the benefit of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI). This award can be presented to any undergraduate or graduate student who is registered full-time at the time of application.

Award Description

Based on the principle of "Fred the mailman" from Denver, Colorado, this award focuses on rewarding UNI students whom embody "The Fred Factor." Fred is the rare type of person who is extraordinary who puts others before himself to they look for ways to improve our lives to help us make our lives easier. 

People who know Fred would identify him as: 

  • Empathic towards others
  • Someone who injects their personality into their work
  • Someone who NEVER tries to impress
  • A good listener
  • Someone who shows that the real path to success is building relationships

For more on The Fred Factor, visit these links:

Application Requirements and Process

Requirements: Applicants will need to describe how they embody "The Fred Factor” in 500-800 words. In the applicant’s submission, they should address at least two of the following: 

  • Describe how the they make a difference at UNI.
  • Everything is built on relationships. Provide an example of how they have gone above and beyond by simply interacting with their peers and/or faculty/staff to build relationships for the betterment of the UNI family.
  • UNI is often referred to as "doing more with less". Provide an example of how they demonstrated creativity using minimal resources which resulted in a positive outcome that benefits students or staff and created value at UNI.
  • One of the Fred Principles is based around reinventing one’s self. Provide an example of when they willingly took on a new challenge or task, outside their experience or expertise in an effort to benefit UNI.

Process: Students who meet the criteria below can apply via this Google Form from now until Monday, February 16, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. The selection committee will review submitted applications and reach out to finalists for brief interviews. Finalists will be invited to attend the Student Leadership Awards ceremony. 

Award Amount

$1,000 one-year award applied directly to the student's U-Bill and refunded anything remaining. 

The Awards

Lux Service Award

The Lux Service Award is awarded to undergraduate graduating senior students each academic year to acknowledge the culmination of their overall involvement. 

The Lux Service Award is the official University seal; it illustrates a burning lamp of knowledge and the Latin word Lux, meaning light. It is conferred in the spirit of keeping the light of service to others burning brightly at the University of Northern Iowa. The Lux Service Award is the most prestigious award given to graduating senior students each academic year to acknowledge the culmination of their overall involvement. Recipients consistently go above and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy upon graduation. 

 

Outstanding Student Leader Award

The Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes undergraduate graduating senior students for the lead they have taken in overall campus involvement. 

The Outstanding Student Leader Award is designed to recognize students who have demonstrated dedication and leadership through their involvement in one or more campus activities. The Outstanding Student Leader Award is given to graduating senior students each academic year to acknowledge the lead they have taken, by recognized title or not, in their overall campus involvement. 

Servant Leadership Award

The Servant Leadership Award recognizes undergraduate students, who are not graduating seniors, who have worked for the common good while putting the needs of others first. 

The Servant Leadership Award recognizes those who have worked for the common good while putting the needs of others first. In its broadest definition, servant leadership is serving others. This award is focused on recognizing students continuing their education, involvement and positive impact on the UNI community.