The Office of Leadership and Engagement (OLE) and the Student Life Office have an annual awards program to recognize the outstanding achievements of individual students, registered student organizations, and EIU Faculty/Staff advisor of the year. Depending on the award, students can self-apply or be nominated. Previous PLA winners are not eligible to win the same award for consecutive years in a row.
The Panther Leadership Awards will be announced in April each year. We will invite all nominees, the EIU community including student groups, faculty, administration, local community members, and parents to celebrate these accomplishments with us. Keep an eye on our social media as we recognize our winners!
Congrats to our 2024 winners!
Congrats to our 2023 winners!
For more information regarding the various individual and group awards, the applications, the deadline to apply, etc. please see below.
Application process: All awards may either be nominated or self-nominated. The application deadline is March 1 each year.
For the individual awards, if you want to nominate someone, please complete the application. If we need additional information from the student, we will reach out to that student letting them know only that they have been nominated and encourage them to provide us the additional information in order to fully be considered. If you have any questions please email ole@eiu.edu.
All other awards, all applications, and nominations should be submitted through the established form. Click the links below to access the descriptions/requirements of each award as well as the application.
Individual Awards (Student)
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award is awarded to an undergraduate student who has become an active member of the community through volunteering or is an outstanding new RSO member. The student must have a 2.75 GPA, have less than 60 credit hours, and be in good academic standing. The student must have at least 30 hours of local community service within the last 12 months.
Leveling Up Award
The Leveling Up award is awarded to current graduate students. This award is given to graduate students who have maintained at least a 3.00 GPA. The students are selected based on academic achievement, service to the community, participation in co-curricular activities, and extracurricular activities as a student at Eastern. The Leveling Up award recipient must show exceptional qualities in volunteering, leadership, and making a difference in the EIU/Charleston community.
Making a Difference Award
The Making a Difference Award is for current undergraduate students who have actively participated in volunteering through the Office of Leadership and Engagement. This student has demonstrated the importance of serving the campus, the community, and the country through their actions. The student must have a 2.75 GPA and be in good academic standing. Students who have not participated in OLE volunteering programs will NOT be considered.
Panther of the Year
The Panther of the Year award is the highest award that an Eastern student may receive. The Panther of the Year award is given to up to 3 undergraduate students who have completed 90 credit hours and maintained at least a 3.00 GPA. The students are selected based on academic achievement, service to the community, participation in co-curricular activities, and extracurricular activities as a student at Eastern. The Panther of the Year must show exceptional qualities in volunteering, leadership, and making a difference in the Charleston community.
Unsung Hero Award
The Office of Leadership and Engagement and the Student Life Office support the development of student leaders, but leaders aren’t always recognized or praised for their hard work and dedication. The Unsung Hero award is given to an undergraduate student who has served their organization, local community, or EIU effectively and quietly. This award is for a student who may not have a leadership role but has committed time and energy to serve the organization and the Eastern community. The student is nominated by their peers, advisor, or faculty with or without the nominee’s knowledge.
RSO President of the Year
This award recognizes an RSO President who has gone beyond their expected duties to enhance the experience of the organization for others. This can occur through acquiring new skills, member engagement, leadership development, collaboration, and relationship building.
Individuals who served their RSO during Fall 2023 and Spring 2023 are eligible for this award. A letter of recommendation may be submitted to enhance the application. (Social Fraternity and Sorority chapter Presidents may not apply for this RSO award.)
RSO Officer of the Year
This award recognizes an RSO officer/executive member (VP, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.) who has gone beyond their expected duties to enhance the experience of the organization for others. This can occur through acquiring new skills, member engagement, leadership development, collaboration, and relationship building.
Individuals who served their RSO during Fall 2023 and Spring 2023 are eligible for this award. A letter of recommendation may be submitted to enhance the application.
Social Justice Leader of the Year
The Social Justice Leader Award honors a student who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to social justice in the areas of leadership and community engagement. This award will honor a student who has utilized their assets and passions to serve as a change agent and made a tangible impact on the university and/or community promoting equity, inclusion, and civic responsibility. The student is nominated by their peers, advisor, or faculty with or without the nominee’s knowledge.
Faculty/Staff Awards
RSO Advisor of the Year
The advisors to our RSOs are incredible resources. These individuals sacrifice their time to share personal experiences and knowledge about the importance of being involved in an organization. The RSO Advisor of the Year not only encompasses all of these traits but exceeds all expectations of the position and deserves special recognition for their continual commitment to the Eastern Illinois University community and the student experience.
Each RSO may submit one nomination per advisor within their organization. Organizations can nominate other advisors within the Eastern Illinois University community as they see necessary. Up to three RSO Advisors will receive this award.
OLE Advocate/Partner of the Year
This award exists to recognize those outside of our Office of Leadership and Engagement community who serve as a means of support and advocacy for our students and community. While neither current members nor advisors, these individuals assist in encouraging necessary for our students to grow and thrive during their college experience.
RSO/Programmatic Awards
Program of the YearPrograms that took place during the 2023 calendar year are eligible to be nominated for this award. This award recognizes an RSO program that encouraged EIU students to interact positively with their peers, allowed students to learn and engage outside the classroom, and/or provided an opportunity for students to have a better understanding and acceptance of others, furthered education, encouraged dialogue, and learning among attendees.. Overall, this program served as a model for other programmatic efforts.
We will be awarding four Program of the Year awards that are based on the following focus areas:
Registered Student Organization of the Year
Recognizes outstanding contributions by a registered student organization. The organization must have made a significant impact on the Eastern Illinois University campus community through activities that reflect its mission and have exceeded its goals for the past academic year. We will be awarding up to 3 RSOs of the Year awards. (Social Fraternity and Sorority chapters may not apply for this RSO award.)
New Registered Student Organization of the Year
This award recognizes a new, registered student organization that has made an impact on the Eastern Illinois University community as well as fostered personal and professional excellence within its members.
Most Improved Registered Student Organization of the Year
This award honors a registered student organization that has shown significant growth and member development in the past 12 months. This growth and membership development can include but is not limited to increased membership, development in programming, campus image, and impactful leadership for the past academic year.
Inclusive Community Award
This award recognizes an organization that demonstrates a commitment to creating an inclusive community that is open to and supports varying identities and perspectives.
Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion Program of the Year
The Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion Program of the Year honors a registered student organization that has successfully executed a program pertaining to diversity and inclusion in efforts to advance the campus climate at Eastern Illinois University and educate members of the student body on issues including but not limited to race/ethnicity, religion, gender identity/expression, and or sexual orientation.
Lead by Example Award
The Leading by Example Award is an award presented to a registered student organization that facilitates leadership development and promotes leadership opportunities for its members, the campus, and the community. This award can only be given to an RSO that has been established for two years or more. The organization must demonstrate the values of the Office of Leadership and Engagement.
Fraternity and Sorority Excellence Awards (These awards recognize student leaders and chapters from the 2023 calendar year.)
Fraternity and Sorority Member of the Year
This award recognizes individuals who represent their chapter, council, and/or the fraternity and sorority community through these values: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Community. This person exemplifies the true meaning of being a fraternity/sorority member.
Outstanding New Member of Year (Fraternity and Sorority)
This award recognizes new members in the fraternity and sorority community who represent their chapter and/or the EIU fraternity and sorority community through the values of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Community. This person understands what being a fraternity/sorority member truly means. Individuals who joined their chapter during the Fall 2023 and Spring of 2023 are eligible for this award.
Outstanding President of the Year (Fraternity and Sorority)
Outstanding President of the Year recognizes a chapter president for his or her dedication to the fraternity and sorority experience and EIU community. For this award, a chapter or individual member must submit a one to two-page letter of recommendation about the individual. A sorority and fraternity president will be named the winner of this award. Chapters or individual members can nominate a president who held this position during the 2023 calendar year. The nomination letter should explain major accomplishments made by the president, how he or she has affected the chapter and their legacy.
Chapter of the Year Award
The Chapter of the Year Award will recognize one chapter that has excelled in the following areas during the past year:
Excellence in Recruitment and Retention
Excellence in Philanthropy & Community Service
Excellence in Leadership & Membership Development
Excellence in Inter-Fraternal Relations & Campus Involvement
Excellence in Academic Achievement
MLK Jr. Union room 3065
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-3967
ole@eiu.edu