AWARDS AND HONORS

Every year UCLA faculty and staff are invited to nominate engineering students for our Schoolwide awards and honors recognized in the annual UCLA Samueli Commencement program brochure and school-wide notices. Many of the awards are specific to graduating students.

The award deadline for all 2023-2024 Schoolwide nominations is Friday, April 19th, 2024 by 5PM.

NOTE: Separately, each department may also have their own departmental awards to honor graduating students. These awards are handled directly by each department and students should pay attention to notices from their departments.

Questions regarding Commencement awards for engineering may be forwarded to commencement@seas.ucla.edu

AWARDS BY APPLICATION – DEADLINES EXTENDED TO MONDAY, APRIL 22ND AT 5PM

Commencement Student Speaker

DEADLINE EXTENDED

2024 Eligibility: We are hoping to select one Engineering undergraduate and one Engineering graduate student in good academic standing AND a degree candidate for Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024. Students who are candidates for Fall 2024 may apply if they have followed the Special Requests instructions on the eligibility and participation page.

Description/Criteria: Prepare an acceptable speech 3 to 5 minutes in length on a theme related to Commencement/Graduation. If selected student will deliver their speech at their respective Spring 2023 commencement ceremony.

Application Submission Process: Submit the below materials to the Student Speaker Selection Committee via e-mail:commencement@seas.ucla.edu

a copy of your graduation speech (at the top include name, UCLA UID, telephone number, e-mail contact)
a short biography about yourself, which must include your name, degree to be awarded (BS/MS/PHD), major, degree term, and your plans after graduation This could be used in commencement programming if you are selected.
a photo image that could be used in commencement programming if you are selected.
please also include telephone and e-mail contact.
a 3-5 minute video submission of your final speech in its entirety. (make sure you are dressed appropriately, business casual/formal acceptable)

Make sure your presented speech video matches the copy you provided in your application. Finalists may be asked to present their speech live to a selection committee.

Application Deadline UPDATED: MONDAY, April 22nd by 5PM

National Anthem Performer (Vocalist or Instrumentalist)

DEADLINE EXTENDED

2024 Eligibility: Engineering student or group of students in good academic standing. Applicant(s) need not be a degree candidate(s). Selection for National Anthem performer may be opened to outside, non-student applicants in the event no student is available.

Description/Criteria: One student or group may be selected to perform the National Anthem at one or both UCLA Samueli Commencement Ceremonies.

Application Submission Process: Prepare an audition recording (audio and video) and letter of introduction about yourself. The letter of application should be addressed to the Commencement Selection Committee, and include:

video file/recording of you or your group singing the anthem (mp4, link)
please also include telephone and e-mail contact.
a short biography about yourself/yourselves, which must include your name, UID, degree to be awarded (BS/MS/PHD), major, degree term, and your plans after graduation; This could be used in commencement programming materials if you are selected.
a photo image that could be used in commencement programming materials if you are selected.

Submit materials and video file or links to the Commencement Selection Committee via e-mail: commencement@seas.ucla.edu Finalists may be asked to present their speech live to a selection committee.

Application Deadline UPDATED: MONDAY, April 22nd by 5PM

AWARDS BY NOMINATION

Engineering Achievement Award for Student Welfare

2023-2024 Eligibility: Engineering student. Recipient need not be a degree candidate.

Description/Criteria: Awarded to undergraduate and graduate engineering students who have made outstanding contributions to student welfare through participation in extracurricular activities and who have given outstanding service to the campus community.

Award: Citation

Nomination Process: Nominations by faculty, staff, peers and others are strongly encouraged; however, self-nominations will be considered. Selection will be made by the OASA Awards Committee

Submit nomination letter and supporting documentation to the Commencement Awards Team in the Office of Academic & Student Affairs via email to commencement@seas.ucla.edu. ATTN: Awards Selection Committee.

All letters of nomination should include:

Name of student being nominated
Name of Award for which student is being nominated
Details as to how the student being nominated meets the criteria outlined for the award
Any supporting documentation as applicable

Nomination Deadline: Friday, April 19th at 5PM

Harry M. Showman Prize

2023-2024 Eligibility: Engineering student. One graduate level AND one undergraduate level award will be considered. Recipients need not be degree candidates.

Description/Criteria: Awarded to those who most effectively communicate the achievements, research, results or social significance of any aspect of engineering to a student audience, the engineering professions, or the general public. Primary consideration will be given to written articles or editorial services for an engineering student publication, but the award may also be conferred for meritorious contributions in other areas of communication.

Award: Plaque and monetary award (monetary award subject to fund availability)

Nomination Process: Nominations by faculty, staff, peers and others are strongly encouraged; however, self-nominations will be considered. Selection will be made by the UCLA Samueli Honors and Awards Committee.

All letters of nomination should include:

Name of student being nominated
Name of Award for which student is being nominated
Details as to how the student being nominated meets the criteria outlined for the award
Supporting documentation such as letters of reference, articles, resume outlining student/community involvement, research papers.

Nomination Deadline: Friday, April 19th by 5PM

Outstanding Bachelor of Science Award

2023-2024 Eligibility: Undergraduate students who will complete their B.S. in Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, or Summer 2024.

Description/Criteria: Criteria may include items such as GPA, creativity, research, and community service.

Award: Plaque and monetary award (monetary award subject to fund availability)

Nomination Process: Nominations by faculty, staff and others are strongly encouraged; however, self nominations will be considered. Selection will be made by the UCLA Samueli Awards and Honors Committee.

All letters of nomination should include:

Name of student being nominated
Name of Award for which student is being nominated
Details as to how the student being nominated meets the criteria outlined for the award
Supporting documentation such as letters of reference, articles, resume outlining student/community involvement, research papers.

Nomination Deadline: Friday, April 19th by 5PM

There will be no School-wide nomination process for Outstanding Master of Science and Outstanding Doctor of Philosophy Awards. Check with your academic department to find out if there will be department selection.

Russell R. O’Neill Distinguished Service Award

2023-2024 Eligibility: upper division (Jr./Sr.) undergraduate engineering student in good standing. Recipient need not be a degree candidate.

Description/Criteria: An award in recognition of outstanding contributions to the undergraduate student body, student organizations, the School, and to the advancement of the undergraduate engineering program through service and participation in extracurricular activities.

Award: Plaque and monetary award (monetary award subject to fund availability)

Nomination Process: Nominations by faculty, staff, peers and others are strongly encouraged; however, self nominations will be considered. Selection will be made by the R.R. O’Neill Awards Committee.

All letters of nomination should include:

Name of student being nominated
Name of Award for which student is being nominated
Details as to how the student being nominated meets the criteria outlined for the award and any lasting impact
Supporting documentation such as letters of reference, articles, resume outlining student/community involvement.

Nomination Deadline: Friday, April 19th by 5PM

Ph.D Marshal for Graduate Division Hooding Ceremony

Subject to finalization of Graduate Division Hooding Ceremony Plans.

2024 Eligibility: Engineering Ph.D student in good academic standing AND a degree candidate for Fall 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024. Students who are candidates for Fall 2024 may apply if approved to participate in the Ceremony via the Special Request Process.

Description/Criteria: Each School and College can nominate up to 2 candidates for the honor of representing as a Marshal at the UCLA PhD Hooding Ceremony. Graduate Division will select 2 official marshals from this pool to serve at the Ceremony.

Application Process: This requires Department or Faculty Nomination.

Please submit the following to the Commencement Team in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs or via email to commencement@seas.ucla.edu.