Graduate Student Awards and Recognition

The Graduate School and other K-State units recognize the accomplishments and contributions of graduate students with annual awards and celebrations.

Awards coordinated by the Graduate School

GSC and MAGS Awards for Graduate Student Teaching Excellence

The GSC Award for Graduate Student Teaching Excellence recognizes one master's and one doctoral student who have excelled in classroom teaching. The award recipients serve as K-State's nominees for the annual Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Excellence in Teaching Award.

MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Thesis Award

The MAGS/ProQuest Distinguished Thesis Award serves to recognize and reward distinguished scholarship and research at the master’s level. K-State graduate programs submit nominations to the Graduate School in the spring. The Graduate School may submit one nominee per award category to the MAGS competition.

UDP Excellence in Doctoral Studies Award

Sponsored by K-State's University Distinguished Professors, this award honors doctoral excellence. Applicants must show scholarly excellence via publications and other academic achievements. Doctoral candidates from any academic program may apply, Applications are accepted annually in the spring semester.

CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award

The CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award is made to individuals who have completed dissertations representing original work that makes an unusually significant contribution to the discipline. K-State graduate programs submit nominations to the Graduate School in the spring. The Graduate School may submit one nominee per award category each year.

Graduate Dean's Award for Excellence, Engagement, and Leadership

This award recognizes graduate students who are excelling in their graduate programs through engagement in professional development experiences, such as presenting their research or scholarly work at events outside their academic discipline.

Marie R. Bonebrake Graduate Award

The Marie R. Bonebrake Graduate Award is for K-State graduate students enrolled in on-campus courses. Award selection rotates annually among the academic colleges and is based on academic merit and financial need.

Additional university awards for graduate students

Alumni Association Awards

Graduate students are eligible for the following awards presented by the K-State Alumni Association. The nomination deadline for these awards is in February or March.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Student Teaching

This award recognizes and rewards excellence in teaching performance in the undergraduate program. Annually, two $5,000 awards are made each year, one of which is presented to a graduate teaching assistant. Nominations are submitted by department heads to the dean of the college in which the teacher is appointed. Each dean may submit one GTA nomination. A call for nominations occurs each spring semester.

Learn more about the Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching