The Outstanding Chapter Award shall be presented on an annual basis to a very limited number of chapters of Blue Key Honor Society. This award recognizes excellence in leadership, scholarship, and service of the chapter through its actions and activities. Award winners are model chapters and best exemplify the spirit and purpose of Blue Key Honor Society. NOTE: A Blue Key Chapter winning the Outstanding Chapter Award may not be nominated for the same award the following year.

Outstanding Chapter Award Previous Winners

2024: Clemson University

2023: Northern Arizona University

2022: University of Toledo

2021: Clemson University

2020: Kansas State University

2019: Clemson University

2018: Michigan Tech University

2017: Emory and Henry College

2016: Clemson University

2015: Michigan Tech University

The Outstanding Advisor Award may be presented annually to the one advisor who has excelled in service to the chapter and the Society. The advisor must be in good standing with the Blue Key Honor Society. The nomination for this award must be approved at either a regular or special meeting of the chapter, with at least a majority of the chapter members approving. Collegiate chapters may nominate one advisor annually for this award.

Criteria

• Display an exemplary record of achievement and service to Blue Key.

• Be a model representative of Blue Key to the college or university and community.

• Fulfill the motto, “Serving I Live.”

• Be actively engaged in the normal and regular meetings and activities of the chapter. Must attend a majority of the meetings of the chapter.

• Provide advice and guidance to the executive officers and members of the chapter.

• Go beyond the normal “position requirements of an advisor” in the advising and guidance role.

• Communicate with the national executive office of Blue Key Honor Society.

Outstanding Advisor Award Previous Winners

2024: Leslie White, University of West Alabama

2023: Dr. Logan Britton, Kansas State University

2022: Janet Lance, University of Georgia

2021: Alex Helmbrecht, Chadron State College

2020: Heather Sander, Michigan Technological University

2019: June Coleman, Emporia State University

2018: Laura Bulleit, Michigan Tech University

2017: Kerri McMillan, Clemson University

2016: Russell Carson Guill, Clemson University

2015: Robert Lee Izlar, The University of Georgia

The Blue Key Distinguished Service Award is given in recognition to a Blue Key member, alumnus, or advisor who has served the Society for a significant portion of the honoree’s adult life. This award recognizes distinguished service and excellence in leadership, scholarship, service, and character. This individual embodies the Blue Key motto “Serving I Live.”

Criteria:

• Has served Blue Key Honor Society for a significant number of years and contributed in a meaningful way to the success of a Blue Key chapter and its members.

• Represented Blue Key in the nation or world by distinguished service.

• The nominee must be a living member of Blue Key. The nominee may be an alumnus or honorary member.

Distinguished Service Award Previous Winners

2024: Rusty Guill, Clemson University

2023: Cherie Crisp, Emporia State University

2022: Dr. Emily Lehning, Kansas State University

2021: Bob Izlar, University of Georgia

2020: Rich Mistler, Kansas State University

2019: Dr. Pat Bosco, Kansas State University

2017: Dr. Christopher Sieverdes, Clemson University

2016: Thomas Daniel Buckalew, Univ of West Alabama

2015: Keith Bjerke, NDSU

The President’s Award shall recognize a current or past Blue Key Chapter President who is considered an outstanding collegiate member of the Blue Key Honor Society. This president shall represent his or her chapter as a standard-bearer and role model. The significant feature of this person’s performance is that they have been a difference-maker who has enhanced the profile and reputation of Blue Key among all other honor and service groups on campus. This president shall have an outstanding record of extracurricular activities, a clear and demonstrated level of commitment to abide by the Blue Key motto, a sense of responsibility to self and others, and a reputable pattern of conduct that conforms to the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

The nominee shall demonstrate an exemplary record of leadership, scholarship, and service to Blue Key and the chapter institution. This award recognizes the one outstanding collegiate member of the Society who, by his or her record has exemplified the values inherent and perpetuated the ideals as set forth in the Preamble to the Bylaws of the Fraternity. The President’s Award is one of the highest honors that the Society can bestow on one of its own members.

Criteria:

• Demonstrated leadership and commitment to Blue Key as Chapter President.

• Demonstrated campus and community involvement, leadership, and service as President.

• Demonstrated character and integrity.

President's Award Previous Winners

2024: Callie Lowe, Northern Arizona University

2023: Nicholas Mercer, Clemson University

2022: Frank Lumpkin, University of Georgia

2021: Ethan Kallenberger, Kansas State University

2020: Cherie Crisp, Emporia State University

2019: Eric Norfleet, Truman State University

2018: Drew Costa, Clemson University

2017: Ian Greenlund, Michigan Tech University

2016: James Sullivan, Clemson University

This is an individual award that recognizes a Blue Key member for demonstration of an exemplary record of leadership, dedication, commitment and service to Blue Key and the chapter institution. This individual shall represent his or her chapter as a standard-bearer and role model. The significant feature of this person’s performance is that they have been a difference-maker who has enhanced the profile and reputation of Blue Key among all other honor and service groups on campus. This individual shall have an outstanding record of extracurricular activities, a clear and demonstrated level of commitment to abide by the Blue Key motto, a sense of responsibility to self and others, and a reputable pattern of conduct that conforms to the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

This award carries a $1000 scholarship to the award recipient.

Criteria:

• Demonstrated leadership and commitment to Blue Key.

• Demonstrated Commitment and Dedication to Blue Key.

• Demonstrated campus and community involvement, leadership, and service.

• Demonstrated character and integrity.

Gregory Lee Smith Exemplary Blue Key Member Award Previous Winners

2024: Jacob Lombardi, University of Toledo

2023: Abby Goins, Kansas State University

2022: May Pleyte, Michigan Technological University

2021: Abigail Hendrix, Michigan Tech University

2020: Miranda Moore, Kansas State University

2019: Molly Bassette, Kansas State University

2018: Lauren Sevenish, Univ of West Alabama

2017: Caitlyn Webb, Kansas State University

2016: Alyxandria Schwarzwalder, North Central College

2015: Kasey Darley, University of Georgia

This award recognizes a special feature or contribution to campus life. The feature shall be observable or measurable. Normally the feature could be described as something that raises the profile of the chapter on campus or at the national level among peer Blue Key chapters. It could be a fund-raising event for the college or university. It may include an academic program, a leadership program or service activities such as an outstanding scrapbook, campus event, activity, publication or digital presentation.

Criteria:

A Blue Key chapter gains significant recognition on campus when it is identified with a special contribution to campus life in the area of scholarship, leadership or service. The event, activity or feature gives Blue Key respected name recognition and may serve to attract students to become members.

Outstanding Feature Award Previous Winners

2024: University of West Alabama (Miss Paragon)

2023: Kansas State University (LeadX)

2022: Michigan Technological University (Winter Carnival)

2021: Kansas State University (Quest)

2020: Colorado School of Mines (M-Climb)

2019: Clemson University (Tigerama)

2018: Michigan Tech University (Winter Carnival)

2017: Missouri S&T (Student Success programming)

2016: University of Georgia (Alumni Banquet)

2015: Emory and Henry College (Merger with Cardinal Key)

The Undergraduate Research Award was established in 2024 to recognize outstanding undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional commitment to academic research and scholarly excellence. This award celebrates students who have made a contribution to an academic field through original research or innovative projects. The Undergraduate Research Award comes with a $250 scholarship.

Undergraduate Research Award Previous Winners

The Director’s Choice Award shall recognize an active Blue Key Chapter for demonstration of an exemplary record of leadership, dedication, commitment and service to Blue Key and the chapter institution. This individual chapter shall have an outstanding record of extracurricular activities, a clear and demonstrated level of commitment to abide by the Blue Key motto, sense of responsibility to self and others, and a reputable pattern of conduct that conforms to the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

This award recognizes the one outstanding chapter of the Society, that by its record, has exemplified the values inherent and perpetuated the ideals as set forth in the Preamble to the Bylaws of the Blue Key. The Director’s Choice Award is one of the highest honors that the Society can bestow on one of its chapters. The award recognizes chapter contributions, achievements, participation at the national level, and the personal character of its members.

NOTE: This award can only be given once to a chapter in a ten-year period.

Criteria:

• Demonstrated leadership and commitment to Blue Key.

• Demonstrated Commitment and Dedication.

• Demonstrated campus and community involvement, leadership, and service.

• Demonstrated character and integrity of its membership.

Director's Choice Award Previous Winners

2021: Northern Arizona University

2020: The University of Toledo

2018: Kansas State University

2017: Clemson University

2016: Colorado School of Mines

2015: NDSU

2014: Concord University