Bobcat Awards

The Student Organization of the Year Award was established to recognize the contributions of student organizations to the Georgia College & State University (GCSU) community. The selection committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: organization activity since March 1, 2022, campus involvement, leadership development, programs/events (including number of events, quality of events, and target audience), membership recruitment and retention efforts, publicity and promotional efforts, fundraising, community service, and contributions to co-curricular life at GCSU.

The Horizon Award was established to recognize the contributions made to the GCSU community by a student organization officially recognized by the college for the first time between March 1, 2022, and March 1, 2024.  All recently recognized student organizations are eligible to be nominated and receive this award. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: organization activity since March 1, 2021, campus involvement, leadership development, programs/events (including number of events, quality of events, and target audience), membership recruitment and retention efforts, publicity and promotional efforts, fundraising, community service, and contributions to co-curricular life at GCSU.

The Outstanding Community Partner Award was established to recognize and acknowledge a particular agency, business, non-profit or charity that has made significant contributions. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: contributions to and impact on the organization, level of interaction with the organization and its members, along with the level of collaboration with the organization.

The Program of the Year Award was established to recognize the excellent efforts by a student organization for the design and execution of a program. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: program must be in at least its second year, general contribution to the GCSU community, creativity, event planning, organization and implementation, promotion, and the appeal to the student body.

The New Program of the Year Award was established to recognize the excellent efforts by a student organization for the design and execution of a new program after March 1, 2023. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: general contribution to the GCSU community, creativity, event planning, organization and implementation, promotion, and the appeal to the student body.

The Most Creative Fundraiser Award is a new award and was established to recognize and acknowledge the creative and unique efforts of a particular organization in raising money for the group, the college community, or a particular charity. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: general (non-financial) contribution to the GC community, creativity, and uniqueness of the event, event planning, organization and implementation, promotion, as well as the appeal to the student body. The amount of money raised will not be considered in the decision of the award. 

The Outstanding Multicultural Program Award was established to recognize the excellent efforts by a student organization for the design and execution of a program that promotes diversity, cultural exchange, and awareness. All diversity and multicultural activities of recognized student organizations are eligible to be nominated for and receive this award. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: contribution to the GCSU community, creativity, planning, organization and implementation, promotion, and the appeal to the student body.

The Service Project of the Year Award was established to recognize and acknowledge projects that have benefited fellow students, student organizations, GCSU, local community and humanity in general. The award has been established to honor an organization that has displayed commitment, involvement and dedication. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: service to GCSU and/or the surrounding community, impact of the service on the group to which the service was directed/performed, and how the organization and its members benefited from the experience.

The Best Awareness Campaign or Event Award was established to recognize and acknowledge the special efforts of a particular organization in raising awareness for a cause or a particular charity. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: general contribution to the GCSU community, creativity, event planning, organization and implementation, promotion, and the appeal to the student body.

The Leadership in Moral Courage Award was established by two generous donors to recognize and acknowledge students who are driven by empathy and compassion to effect change and make a difference in the lives of others; such change being the direct result of actions taken by the students for moral reasons despite the risk of adverse consequences. Recipients of the Award, through acts of selflessness and courage, have demonstrated a commitment to personal and organizational values at a testing point. All rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors pursing their undergraduate degree at Georgia College & State University are eligible.

In addition to the Bobcat Award, awardees will receive an academic scholarship for the following school year.  

The RSO Advisor of the Year Award was established to recognize and acknowledge the special efforts of an individual who did an outstanding job in advising a student organization. The nominee can be the advisor of any recognized student organization. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: regularly attends group meetings and/or events, shares knowledge of the program, suggests program ideas, is a good resource for the group, is easily accessible, works with the officers of the group, and is concerned with the welfare of the group and its membership.

The Student Leader of the Year Award was established to recognize and acknowledge a particular individual who has encouraged enthusiasm and participation on campus, been highly involved in an organization(s) and committee(s), strengthened his/her organization(s), and made outstanding contributions to the campus community. All members of recognized student organizations are eligible to be nominated to receive this award. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: contributions to GCSU students, the range of involvement on campus and within the community while being a participant in a student organization (leader) and levels of involvement in activities or organizations.

The Outstanding Service to Students Award was established to recognize and acknowledge a particular faculty/staff person who has made significant contributions above and beyond his/her position on campus. All members of the faculty/staff are eligible to be nominated and receive this award. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: contributions and impact upon the college and community and level of interaction with students.

The Servant Leader of the Year Award was established to recognize and acknowledge a student whose involvement in service activities and projects has benefited GCSU, the surrounding community, and humanity. This award honors a student that has significantly encouraged enthusiasm and college participation in service activities and made outstanding contributions to the community. All members of recognized student organizations are eligible to be nominated to receive this award. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: contributions to the community at large through service, involvement, and leadership.

This award is for a student that exemplifies dedication to social justice. This could include but not limited to non-violent protests and acts of civil disobedience, dedicated actions to solve social issues and/or conflicts hunger, homelessness, inequities of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, access to education, healthcare, and economic improvement. These students should demonstrate through their actions a pattern of dedication to social justice issues and have acted on those issues courageously.

The Most Promising Leader Award was established to recognize and acknowledge a particular under-class student (including transfer students) who has made significant contributions to the GCSU community through his/her involvement and enthusiasm. Any individual in the freshman or sophomore class is eligible to be nominated and receive this award. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: contributions and impact upon the University and community, and level of involvement in activities or organizations.

The Unsung Hero Award was established to recognize and acknowledge a particular student who has made significant contributions above and beyond his/her position in an organization or on campus. The recipient may not have been otherwise recognized for his/her accomplishments and achievements. All members of recognized student organizations are eligible to be nominated and receive this award. The committee will consider the nomination based on the following criteria: contributions and impact upon the College and community and level of involvement in activities or organizations.

The Fraternity & Sorority of the Year is awarded to the organization that is a leader in the Georgia College & State University fraternal community. This organization sets the tone, holds a standard of academic excellence while being dedicated to the values of the organization. The organization is known for being collaborative, setting high ideals for its members and the organization, and continuously demonstrating its dedication to improving the Georgia College & State University community through unity and pride.

The Fraternity and Sorority Member of the Year award recognizes individuals who uphold the values and ideals of their organizations.  They are held in high esteem within our community and exemplify what it means to be a fraternity or sorority member. 

This new member displays the values of their fraternal organizations.  This member is actively involved in the chapter and on campus. They maintain a high-grade point average and accepts responsibility and takes on new challenges are they are asked. 

The FSL Champion Award is awarded to an alumnus, faculty, staff, or volunteer that has mentored, advised, and been an advocate for the fraternities and sororities of Georgia College & State University. This individual can always be counted on to be a support system and "CHAMPION" of the fraternal community at large. Their contributions to the GCSU fraternity & sorority community have been invaluable for the betterment of the fraternal community.

The Philanthropy (Community Service) Program is awarded to the chapter that has displayed a dedication to service, and humanity. This program performance and participation has demonstrated outstanding civic and/or charitable responsibility through efforts of encouragement, service, and offered support to the GCSU and Baldwin Co. community.

This award recognizes outstanding chapter advisors that provide support in a variety of ways. Award winners demonstrate their commitment to the chapter by upholding the values of the organization and holding members accountable to organizational expectations. While advisors are sometimes members of fraternities/sororities themselves, outstanding advisors can also be faculty and staff members who dedicate time to supporting chapters and bettering the fraternity/sorority community

The Abby Savoie Award was established in memory of Abby Savoie, who we tragically lost on October 21, 2022. Abby was a cherished member of our community whose presence illuminated every life she touched with her unlimited joy, compassion, and friendship. This award seeks to honor her remarkable spirit and unwavering dedication to bringing people together and spreading joy to everyone she met.

Each year, the Abby Savoie Award will be awarded to an individual who exemplifies the qualities that Abby lived by each day including empathy, generosity, and an enthusiasm for life. This year’s recipient is recognized for their outstanding contributions to fostering a sense of belonging, spreading positivity, and uplifting others through their actions and words in our community and around campus.