Gulf Coast Awards Day
Gulf Coast Awards Day
USM Gulf Coast Awards Day is held each spring on the Southern Miss Gulf Park Campus. It serves as a platform to honor outstanding achievements by students, faculty, and staff. The 2026 ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, at 1:00 p.m. in the Fleming Education Center Auditorium.
Student Awards
Outstanding Transfer Student
Southern Miss has strong partnerships with our local community colleges. We strive to create pathways for transfer students to easily transition from the community college to Southern Miss to complete their bachelor’s degree. In recognition of exemplary performance, an outstanding transfer student will be honored at the upcoming USM Gulf Coast Awards Day ceremony. Nominees must have a campus designation of Gulf Park and be enrolled in a Gulf Park program. The student must be enrolled full-time. Nominations may be submitted by faculty or staff members. Nominations must include a letter of support from the nominator expressing why they believe this student is an outstanding transfer student. Nominees must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. Self-nominations will not be considered.
The Selection Committee encourages nominations of students who demonstrate:
Academic Excellence
- Strong GPA at Southern Miss
- Academic improvement or upward trajectory
Resilience and Transition
- Evidence of overcoming challenges during transition
- Adaptability and perseverance
The deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, March 27.
Student Leadership Award
The Student Leadership Award honors a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership through service, innovation, collaboration, and integrity. This student has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the campus community and exemplifies the highest standards of leadership. The student must be enrolled full-time each semester. Nominations may be submitted by faculty or staff members. Nominations must include a letter of support from the nominator. Nominees must be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, be in good disciplinary standing with the university, and have been enrolled at Southern Miss for at least one full academic year. Self-nominations will not be considered.
The Selection Committee encourages nominations of students who demonstrate:
Leadership Impact
- Held significant leadership role(s) in student organizations, campus programs, or student groups
- Created measurable or lasting impact
- Inspired and influenced others positively
Initiative and Innovation
- Identified needs and implemented solutions
- Developed or introduced programs, activities, or initiatives
Character and Integrity
- Serves as a role model
- Upholds institutional values
Campus and Community Engagement
- Active participation in campus life
- Community service involvement
- Advocacy for student success
The deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, March 27.
Citizenship Award
The Citizenship Award will recognize an outstanding student who has demonstrated exceptional character, leadership, and service on the Gulf Park campus and community. The student must be a full-time student. Nominations may be submitted by faculty or staff members. Nominations must include a letter of support from the nominator expressing why they believe this student should receive the Citizenship Award. Nominees must be in good academic standing, be in good disciplinary standing with the university, and have been enrolled at Southern Miss for at least one full semester. Self-nominations will not be considered.
The Selection Committee encourages nominations of students who demonstrate:
Character and Integrity
- Demonstrates honesty, accountability, and respect
- Serves as a positive role model
- Upholds university values
Commitment to Service
- Actively involved on campus or in community volunteer work
- Sustained service rather than one-time participation
- Demonstrated impact on campus or community
Support and Initiative
- Takes initiative in class, organizations, or volunteer groups
- Encourages collaboration and inclusion
The deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, March 27.
Distinguished Student Employee Award
Student employees make meaningful contributions in support of the educational mission across our coastal campuses. In recognition of exemplary performance, a student worker will be honored at the upcoming USM Gulf Coast Awards Day Ceremony. Nominees must be a Gulf Coast undergraduate student worker or work study student who is enrolled full-time each semester. Nominations may be submitted by faculty or staff members. Nominations must include a letter of support from the student’s employment supervisor. Nominees must be in good academic and disciplinary standing and currently serving in a student employment position. Award winners from the prior two years are not eligible. Self-nominations will not be considered.
The Selection Committee encourages nominations of students who demonstrate:
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Professionalism and work ethic
- Displays maturity, integrity, and strong communication skills
- Represents the department positively
- Maintains confidentiality and ethical standards
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Impact on Department
- Contributes to office efficiency or student success
- Enhances customer service and campus experience
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Balance of Work and Academics
- Maintains strong academic performance while working
- Demonstrates time management skills
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Initiative and Leadership
- Takes initiative beyond assigned responsibilities
- Suggests improvements or innovative solutions
The deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, March 27.
Distinguished Graduate Assistant Award
Graduate Assistants make meaningful contributions in support of the educational mission across our coastal campuses. In recognition of exemplary performance, a graduate assistant will be honored at the upcoming USM Gulf Coast Awards Day Ceremony. Nominees must be a Gulf Coast graduate assistant who is enrolled full-time each semester. Nominations may be submitted by faculty or staff members. Nominations must include a letter of support from the student’s employment supervisor. Nominees must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Award winners from the prior two years are not eligible. Self-nominations will not be considered.
The Selection Committee encourages nominations of students who demonstrate:
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Excellence in Assistantship Role
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- Consistently exceeds performance expectations
- Provides high-quality instruction, support, or administrative contributions
- Reliability, accountability, and ethical conduct
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Professionalism and Work Ethic
- Strong Communication skills
- Enhances customer service and campus experience
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Scholarly and Academic Achievements
- Maintains strong academic performance
- Demonstrates commitment to academic excellence
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Initiative and Leadership
- Takes initiative beyond assigned responsibilities
- Suggests improvements or innovative solutions
- Mentors undergraduate students or peers
The deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, March 27.
Outstanding Staff Awards
Across our USM Gulf Coast campus teaching sites, our dedicated staff members play an integral role in supporting the delivery of quality education and services. In recognition of their exceptional contributions, staff members will be honored at the upcoming USM Gulf Coast Awards Day Ceremony. Nominees must be full-time staff members employed at a USM Gulf Coast teaching site. The award recognizes exceptional performance from January to December 2025. Self-nominations will not be considered. Award winners from the prior two years are ineligible.
The Selection Committee encourages nominations of staff members who:
- Exhibit an exceptional commitment to teamwork and operational efficiency
- Exemplary performance in carrying out duties associated with employment position
- Make contributions beyond those normally expected/required by job responsibilities
The deadline for receiving nominations is Friday, March 27.
Butch Oustalet Distinguished Professorship Award
The Butch Oustalet Distinguished Professorship Award recognizes faculty members for exceptional achievements in the areas of teaching, research, or service.
Award Categories:
One award will be presented in each of the following areas:
- Excellence in Teaching
- Excellence in Service
- Excellence in Research
Award Criteria:
- The nominee must hold a regular full-time Gulf Coast faculty position. Visiting positions will not be considered.
- Nominated faculty must have a minimum of three years of full-time faculty service at the University. Time in a visiting position does not count.
- The award recognizes exceptional performance from January to December 2025 in the associated award category.
Nomination Process:
- Candidates may be nominated by peers.
- Upload a letter of support from the nominee’s school director.
- Self-nominations will not be considered.
- The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 27.
Nomination Requirements:
- Complete the nomination form below.
- Upload a current curriculum vitae.
- Include any pertinent supporting supplemental material in the specified area of distinction.
- Award winners from the prior two years are ineligible.