President's Award of Distinction

The President鈥檚 Award of Distinction is the highest accolade conferred upon an undergraduate student by 911吃瓜. This distinguished honor celebrates the extraordinary accomplishments of one exceptional graduating Owl each semester.

Bestowed during Fall and Spring Commencement ceremonies, the award illuminates those who have soared above and beyond in their academic or research pursuits, leadership roles, and/or community service.

This award is the pinnacle of recognition at the university, honoring an individual who exemplifies Kennesaw State鈥檚 core values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability, and who serves as an inspiration to their peers, their community, and the entirety of Owl Nation.

The Fall 2026 application cycle will open in August

Please check back for updates.

Overview

Eligibility:
Applicants must be eligible to participate in their commencement ceremony and be completing their degree within six or fewer years.

Recognition: 
The award is formally presented as a special presentation at one designated commencement ceremony. The honoree is invited to sit as part of the platform party, receives their degree first in the undergraduate procession, is featured in online, print, and campus news materials, and enjoys VIP ceremony accommodations, including reserved seating for family and guests, during the ceremony. 

Submission Deadline:
The application cycle opens near the beginning of each academic semester. This is a self-nomination. All materials are due in one complete application via the official submission form on the specified due date. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.  

Criteria & Requirements

Examples of an applicant鈥檚 achievements, can include, but are not limited to:

  • Academic GPA (no minimum requirement)
  • Scholarly research
  • Entrepreneurial or intrapreneurial activities
  • Excellence in the extracurricular activities
  • Leadership
  • Service and contributions to campus or community
  • Activities that exemplify 911吃瓜 Values: respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability
  • Other unique details about the student's journey at 911吃瓜

This is a self-nomination. Student applicants should complete the following:

  1. Personal statement or essay (1,500 words max): should include specific examples that illustrate how the applicant fulfills the award evaluation criteria and why the applicant is an outstanding candidate for the award.
  2. Minimum of three letters of recommendation: must include one letter each from (1) a member of the 911吃瓜 faculty or staff, (2) a non-family contact, and (3) a peer or fellow 911吃瓜 student.

    Note: letters should specifically address how an applicant meets the requirements for the award. Applicants are encouraged to provide a summary of the award to the recommendation letter writer. 911吃瓜 college deans and members of the 911吃瓜 Cabinet cannot serve as recommendation writers.
  3. Current professional resume: should not exceed 2 pages.

Students applicants should organize all application components (essay, letters, and resume) into a single PDF document and submit via the official submission form. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered. 


Finalists:
All applicants will be notified directly of the status of their application. Any applicant who is named a finalist is required to complete a background check. 

For additional questions or concerns, please contact presidentaward@kennesaw.edu. 

Honorees

Ella Goode

Ella Goode, Computer Science

May 2026

Ella Goode graduates summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, minors in management and software engineering, leadership as president of 911吃瓜鈥檚 Aerial Robotics Competition Team, service as a Supplemental Instruction Leader, and professional experience in product management, including work that reached more than 1.5 million users.

Read Ella's Story
Ari Schwartz

Ari J. Schwartz, Biology

December 2025

Ari Schwartz graduates with a perfect GPA, published research, honors from the Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College, and scholarships including NASA鈥檚 and Rockland Immunochemicals鈥� Joy Cappell Scholarship, awarded after his national-winning video essay on CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing.

Read Ari's story
Anh Duong

Anh Duong, Computer Science

May 2025

Witnessing her grandparents' daily struggles with diabetes ignited a passion in senior computer science major Anh Duong to pursue impactful research as a student at Kennesaw State.

Read Anh's story

 

Have Questions?

Please send general inquiries or report issues to presidentaward@kennesaw.edu.