The Damen Award is named for Loyola University Chicago's founder, Arnold Damen, S.J. It seeks to honor undergraduate students who have committed themselves to Jesuit ideals by being a true source of inspiration and leadership to the Loyola community throughout the year. These students are people who have led other students in spirit, motivation, and purpose. 

Outstanding GPA Student Leader Award Criteria

• This Award recognizes a Graduate, Professional or Adult (SCPS) [GPA] student that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in a student organization. They have transcended the duties of their role and embodied the principals of Magis.

• Any currently enrolled Graduate, Professional, or Adult (SCPS) student is eligible.

• No nominee may receive this award for two consecutive years.

• A faculty, staff, student, or administrator must nominate nominee.

• Self-nominations are prohibited.

• One award will be presented each year.

• Nominee must have completed one semester in good academic standing at Loyola University Chicago by January 2021.

• Nominee must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above, as listed in LOCUS.

• Nominees screened by Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution and Behavioral Concerns Team.

• The Graduate, Professional and Adult Student Council selection committee will select the recipient.

Outstanding GPA Student Organization Award Criteria

• This award recognizes a student organization that is either a graduate student organization or a student organization with majority Graduate, Professional, & Adult students that promotes and embodies the organization’s mission and has shown a commitment to the university’s mission. 

• Any student organization with a majority of Graduate, Professional, or Adult (SCPS) students is eligible. Including sponsored student organizations.

• A faculty, staff, student, or administrator must nominate the organization.

• Self-nominations are allowed.

• One award will be presented each year.

• Student organization advisors will be consulted.

• The Graduate, Professional and Adult Student Council selection committee will select the recipient.

Outstanding GPA Program of the Year

• This award recognizes and group or student organization that has produced an outstanding program/event/lecture that made a significant contribution to the Loyola University Chicago community.

• Any student organization or group with a majority of Graduate, Professional, or Adult (SCPS) students is eligible. Including sponsored and ad hoc student organizations.

• The program may be a conference, summit, lecture, or social event.

• A faculty, staff, student, or administrator must nominate the organization.

• Self-nominations are allowed.

• One award will be presented each year.

• Student organization advisors will be consulted.

• Respective College Dean will review the nominee.

• The Graduate, Professional and Adult Student Council selection committee will select the recipient.

The Center for Diversity & Inclusion is honored and excited to organize the Diversity Awards to showcase key students, alumni, faculty, and staff members who have contributed to the success of our diverse student population academically, spiritually, culturally and professionally. Awards also highlight outstanding individuals who have committed themselves to embracing diversity and social justice at Loyola. Award criteria can be found here. 

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Loyola University Chicago established the Maroon & Gold Society during the 2011-2012 academic year to recognize rising seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership, academic excellence, and service to others. Members represent a cross-section of undergraduate communities and leadership paths at the university. Each spring, students are nominated by faculty and staff for membership with Maroon & Gold Society.  Once nominations are screened and reviewed, eligible students are asked to submit an online application. A small committee then reviews all applications and makes a recommendation of 25 top students to the Vice President of Student Development and university president who then makes the final selection of its new class. The new class is recognized at the Excellence Awards Ceremony and a special Induction Ceremony with the president of the university and select administrators, where they receive their cardigan. 

The Maroon & Gold Society intends to honor students who personify the promise of Loyola University Chicago: Preparing People to Lead Extraordinary Lives. In doing so, Society members embrace the Jesuit ideal of Magis (the pursuit of excellence).

Members of this group are invited to participate in various activities, committees, and discussions. This also includes participating in university functions that enhance school spirit and campus pride. Members also will have opportunities to meet with the president of the university, distinguished alumni, and other members of the Loyola University Chicago community. 

The Five Pillars of Maroon & Gold Society: Academic Excellence, Diversity, Leadership, Loyola Community, and Service 

Expectations

Members of Maroon & Gold Society serve as official student ambassadors at all times especially at major university sponsored events. They are asked to share their authentic student experiences with administrators, alumni, and other members of the Loyola University Chicago community. Members are expected to uphold a standard of leadership for students at Loyola University Chicago by maintaining involvement with a leadership role in various groups around campus. All members are expected to uphold the values of the Student Promise as well as the policies written in the Community Standards. Membership is contingent upon active participation in the Society’s meetings and events while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0. 

Benefits for Members

• Participation for student ambassadorship at major university functions/events
• Experience communicating needs and desires of students with administrators or board members
• Networking opportunities with university community members
• Participation in large-scale university sponsored events

Hundreds of students and more than a dozen organizations received awards at the Weekend of Excellence for their outstanding work throughout the school year. The 2023 nomination period runs from January 12 to February 20. A separate nomination must be submitted for each student for the individual awards. 

The Student Organization Awards honor and celebrate the accomplishments of our Recognized and Sponsored Student Organizations. Our student leaders work tirelessly to plan and implement a wide range of programs over the course of the academic year. The award categories include three recognition groups: program recognition, individual recognition, and group recognition. 

Loyola University Chicago's Athletics department presents awards to outstanding student athletes each year. Awards include the PNC Student Achiever Award, which is presented to a female student athlete, and a male student athlete.

The 2015 Award is named for the year of the founding of Arrupe College of Loyola University Chicago. The 2015 Award is presented to a student who embodies the spirit of transformative education, who has used their gifts and talents to persist through adversity, and who has contributed significantly to building and advancing the Arrupe mission.

The department of Residence Life presents two awards at the Excellence Awards Ceremony. 

The Resident Assistant of the Year is awarded to an RA who, in the course of the school year, has served the University and residential community in and out of the RA position. The finalists demonstrate a well-rounded approach to the position, academics, and personal life. Finally, the RA of the Year consistently portrays a positive, kind, and caring approach with others while excelling in programming and community development.

The Departmental “Magis” Award, is awarded to a Resident Assistant who has consistently demonstrated a willingness to go above and beyond expectations throughout the year by serving as an RA, and a mentor in the spirit of the Jesuit concept of “Magis.” The finalists portray a positive attitude, exhibit the ability to be self-driven, and always show an eagerness to grow and learn in the RA position. Finalists serve as strong mentors for staff and residents, and bring out the best in others.

Student Development partners with the Office of Sustainability to recognize students expressing leadership on Loyola’s value of sustainability. As a key aspect of Loyola’s mission of social justice, we award two to four students each year during the Celebration of Student Achievement, Scholarship, and Creative Works. Attention is paid to efforts that address the social, economic, and environmental aspects of sustainability and embrace the ‘integral ecology’ framework called for in Pope Francis’ Encyclical on Ecology, Laudato si’.

Sustainability in Service – This recognition rewards students for their efforts to implement sustainability on campus or in community.

Sustainability in Learning – This recognition rewards students for their efforts incorporating sustainability into their academic experience through research, publication, or coursework advancing sustainability knowledge.

The Student Veteran of the Year Award represents the continued service of a student veteran within the Loyola community. A student veteran who engages with the broader Loyola community and supports their fellow student veterans.