Awards

President's Award for Service to the Community 

The President’s office and Civic & Community Engagement select recipients of the President’s Award for Service to the Community. Each year one award is given to a student and one to a faculty or staff member who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to service and made a significant and measurable impact on our community. Please note that because the student winner is recognized at convocation, students should be enrolled at W&M in the upcoming fall semester.

The award carries a prize of $500, which is donated in the name of the award recipient to a community organization of the recipient's choice. The winners are recognized at opening convocation.

Any member of the W&M community (student, faculty or staff, full or part time) may apply; students should be enrolled in the upcoming fall semester. The impact of the applicant's service need not be wide, but focused and reflecting a sustained commitment to a small group, community, or social issue. 

To Apply

Applications and nominations open in late spring. The application requires a letter of recommendation from a community member, fellow student, staff, or faculty member who can speak to your community experiences.

Applications are anonymized to help reduce bias in the selection process and reviewed by a campus committee, chaired by Rich Thompson.

John Lewis Social Justice Award 

This annual award recognizes a sophomore or junior at William & Mary with demonstrated commitment to social justice issues and actions, and advocacy for human rights, including the right to vote.

As a student activist and throughout his life, Congressman John Lewis embodied his belief in the power of nonviolent direct action, advocacy for the right to vote, and an ethic of love.

Honorees receive a $1500 financial scholarship and participate in a year of formation opportunities to support their growth in social justice leadership. This includes mentorship, connecting with leaders in local social justice work, and periodic written reflection. As a John Lewis Award honoree, you will critically reflect on and grow in your sense of civic identity and ability to engage difference.

Please note: if you have scholarships that cover the full cost of attendance (including fees, housing, and other expenses as figured by the university), the award will be applied to your financial aid package, which will then be reduced by that amount. In other words, if you happen to have scholarships covering all expenses, there's no net gain from this award.

The award is announced the week of February 21, Congressman Lewis’ birthday. 

The John Lewis Award is managed by [[mcporter, Melody Porter]]

James Monroe Prize in Civic Leadership 

The James Monroe Prize in Civic Leadership is awarded on Charter Day at William & Mary to an undergraduate student who exemplifies the acceptance of just responsibility through leadership for the greater good. The recipient of the award will have demonstrated sustained leadership combined with initiative; shows character and an unfailing commitment to the ethic of service; is able to know when to confront challenges; inspires others to engage; and leverages the community's assets to help address society's needs.

The prize was established in 2005 by the Owens Foundation. Honorees receive a financial scholarship, a framed citation, and their names are added to a permanent plaque describing the award in the Sadler Center.

Applications are anonymized to help reduce bias in the selection process and reviewed by a campus committee, chaired by Rich Thompson.

Active Citizenship Awards

Each year we recognize outstanding students and organizations for their work in promoting positive, community-driven social change and prioritizing community while at William & Mary. 

A review committee evaluates applications anonymously based on students' articulated impact on community and modeling of active citizenship. Students may only be recognized once during their time at William & Mary.

Applications for the next award cycle will open in spring 2026.

Active Citizenship Awards are managed by Elizabeth Miller