Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards

Each spring a campus-wide committee selects the winners of the Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards, UW's prestigious recognition for outstanding graduating seniors.

The awardees are recognized as the ideal role models of student scholarship and achievement.

Each January individuals are invited to nominate students they believe are worthy of recognition.

Students walking outside of the Union

Awards Process: 

To initiate the process, a nominator submits a letter of nomination. Nomination date for 2026 is February 6th. The nomination letter should describe why the student is being nominated and how the student meets the award criteria listed below. The letter should be sent to studentaffairs@uwyo.edu.  

Beginning in February each nominated student will be contacted and asked to prepare supplemental information that includes a resume, two additional letters of recommendation from individuals other than their nominator, and a one-page personal statement highlighting the student’s scholarship, leadership, and contributions to UW. Nominated students will have until early March to submit a complete packet of supplemental materials. 

The selection committee will review nomination packets and determine a slate of 10-12 finalists to interview. After interviews, the committee will select recipients. The finalists and recipients will be recognized at the annual event in May.

Criteria for Outstanding Graduating Senior awards:

  • Academic excellence and achievement
  • Contributions and service to the University of Wyoming
  • Active participation and leadership in co-curricular activities
  • Demonstrated character and citizenship
  • Will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026

Congratulations to the 2025 Nominees & Finalists

Finalists in bold

Joshua Buchholz
Carissa Fostervold
Alexa Mejia
Cole Schliebe
Gregory Barr
Annalise Gade
Reese Noble
Kagan Sims
Jenny Bautz
Maggie Gazda
Raegan Merrill
Andrew Speight
Sophia Destefano
Nolan Gerdes
Jessica Petri
Carson Tee
Elisabeth Dooley
Sera Glass
Addison Potts
Daniel Wozney
Sarah Doyle
Reuben Haas
Gianna Rose
Wolfgang Wuerker
Katelyn Fisher
Nathan Harris
JW Rzeszut
Kylie Zanini

2026 Tobin & Spitaleri Awards Nomination Timeline

February 

6              Deadline for nominations to Student Affairs 

9/10         Students notified of nomination via email           

 

March 

9             Deadline for completed student nomination packets due to Student Affairs 

16-20      Spring Break – Committee Reviews Materials 

26           Afternoon committee to meet and decide which students to interview  

30           Students invited to interview 

 

April  

8            Afternoon and evening, 3:30-7 for student interviews 

9            Day 10-2 for student interviews  

 

May 

Week of May 4th    Event to honor nominees and finalists and announce winners  

Tbd        President’s Commencement Dinner

16           Spring Commencement