Outstanding Graduate Student Award

The Graduate School
New Mexico State University

PO Box 30001 MSC 3 G

Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001-8001

505-646-2736                    fax 505-646-7721                      

MEMORANDUM

To:                   Graduate Directors, and Department Heads
From:               Linda Lacey, Dean
Subject:            Outstanding Graduating Graduate Award

The Graduate School is soliciting nominations for the OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD.  This award recognizes a graduating student for outstanding contributions to the graduate life at New Mexico State University, the University community and the broader community while maintaining academic excellence in a graduate program.  The outstanding master’s and doctoral graduate student will receive a certificate of commendation from the Alumni Association.

To be eligible for nominations, the graduate student must be currently enrolled at NMSU.  They are also expected to complete their program of study and graduate at the end of the Spring or Summer School Session One semester.   A graduate student is defined as any person who is officially accepted into a master’s or doctoral program at New Mexico State University. 

Nomination Process

Nomination requires:

1. A letter from a member of graduate faculty describing the achievements that distinguish the graduate student from their peers,
2. At least one additional letter from graduate students, faculty, staff, administrators, or individuals in the community that detail the student’s scholarship and demonstrated ability in leadership.  All forms of leadership shall be considered.
3. A current resume of the student including a current address and email

Letters of recommendation should contain a brief description of the nominee’s contributions to graduate education and leadership (campus and community) while enrolled at New Mexico State University.  These may include, but ARE NOT limited to academic excellence, demonstrated creativity and soundness of research design contributing to improving the graduate school experience, outstanding teaching performance, and service to the University and the broader community. 

Deadline for consideration of those graduating in Spring is March 15th.  All information must be submitted to the graduate school for the student to qualify.  An incomplete nomination packet will result in the student being removed from consideration.