Graduate Awards

Department of Kinesiology Awards

Outstanding Master’s Degree Student Award

Description

Each year, the Department of Kinesiology seeks nominations of master’s degree students who have an exemplary record of scholarship, public service, and/or teaching for the Outstanding Master’s Degree Student Award. This award was initiated during the 2003-2004 academic year.

Nomination Procedures

This award recognizes scholarship and contributions to the scholarly climate in the department. The KIN Graduate Studies Committee solicits nominations from faculty and graduate students during the spring semester.

Application Due Date: February 15. Applicants must submit the following materials to the KIN Graduate Coordinator as email attachments (electronic copies facilitate the faculty vote).

  • Cover letter (one page maximum) describing the student’s intent to apply for the KIN Outstanding Master’s Degree Student Award and highlighting the student’s most significant achievements. This letter must be co-signed by the student’s faculty advisor.
  • Resume that addresses all criteria for the award and that includes complete reference citations for presentations, publications, and grants.
  • Letter of support from a KIN faculty member.

The KIN Graduate Studies Committee then constructs a ballot that lists all nominees. KIN faculty members vote to determine the award winner, with voting status granted to faculty members who (a) advise KIN graduate students and (b) have earned the terminal degree or who have been approved by the MSU Graduate School to serve as the lead advisor for graduate students. Each faculty member will rank order the candidates, and the winner will be determined by a sum of ranks. Number of first place votes will serve as the tie-breaker. If ties still exist after this procedure, multiple awards will be presented.

  • 2024 - Jessica Tolzman
  • 2023 - Katherine Curtis
  • 2022 - Katie McGee
  • 2021 - Guilherme Costa
  • 2020 - Jonathan Hamil
  • 2019 - Eric Leszczynski
  • 2018 - Montana Pruett
  • 2017 - Michael Mignano
  • 2016 - Ashley Triplett
  • 2015 - Tayo Moss
  • 2014 - Olufemi Oluyedun
  • 2013 - Kathleen Scott
  • 2012 - Greg Immink
  • 2011 - Lucy Smith
  • 2010 - Kimbo Yee
  • 2009 - Marissa Siebel
  • 2008 - Darijan Suton
  • 2007 - Kimberly S. Sieve
  • 2006 - Leigh Weiss
  • 2005 - Melissa Fraser
  • 2004 - Brian Bratta

Outstanding Doctoral Degree Student Award

Description

Each year, the Department of Kinesiology seeks nominations of doctoral degree students who have an exemplary record of scholarship, public service, and/or teaching for the Outstanding Doctoral Degree Student Award. This award was initiated in 1995.

Nomination Procedures

This award recognizes scholarship and contributions to the scholarly climate in the department. The KIN Graduate Studies Committee solicits nominations from faculty and graduate students during the spring semester.

Application Due Date: February 15. Applicants must submit the following materials to the KIN Graduate Coordinator as email attachments (electronic copies facilitate the faculty vote).

  • Cover letter (one page maximum) describing the student’s intent to apply for the KIN Outstanding Doctoral Degree Student Award and highlighting the student’s most significant achievements. This letter must be co-signed by the student’s faculty advisor.
  • Resume that addresses all criteria for the award and that includes complete reference citations for presentations, publications, and grants.
  • Letter of support from a KIN faculty member.

The KIN Graduate Studies Committee then constructs a ballot that lists all nominees. KIN faculty members vote to determine the award winner, with voting status granted to faculty members who (a) advise KIN graduate students and (b) have earned the terminal degree or who have been approved by the MSU Graduate School to serve as the lead advisor for graduate students. Each faculty member will rank order the candidates, and the winner will be determined by a sum of ranks. Number of first place votes will serve as the tie-breaker. If ties still exist after this procedure, multiple awards will be presented.

  • 2025 - Allie Tracey
  • 2024 - Francesca Genoese & Chelsi Ricketts
  • 2023 - Aaron Zynda
  • 2022 - Eric Leszczynski
  • 2021 - Jill Kochanek
  • 2020 - Amanda McGowen
  • 2019 - Kimberly Clevenger
  • 2018 - Chris Hill
  • 2017 - Anthony Delli Paoli
  • 2016 - Catherine Gammon
  • 2015 - Jessica Wallace
  • 2014 - Alex Montoye
  • 2013 - Samuel Forlenza
  • 2012 - Moe Machida
  • 2011 - Dana Voelker
  • 2010 - R.J. Elbin
  • 2009 - Ryan Flett
  • 2008 - Lanay Mudd
  • 2007 - Sarah A. Carson
  • 2006 - Jeon-Dae (JD) Lee
  • 2005 - Paul Nagelkirk
  • 2004 - Aaron Moffett
  • 2003 - Dawn Podulka Coe
  • 2002 - Michelle Magyar
  • 2001 - M. Kathleen Ellis
  • 2000 - Roop Jayaraman
  • 1999 - Ivy Collins
  • 1998 - Karin Allor
  • 1997 - David Wisner
  • 1996 - John Fitzpatrick
  • 1995 - Susan Walter

KIN Research Fellowship

Description

The KIN Research Fellowship recognizes outstanding research conducted and disseminated by a KIN undergraduate or graduate student. One or more awards of $750 are presented each year during the spring semester, with the number of award depending upon available funding. The fellowship is made available through an anonymous donation and supplementary funding from the Department of Kinesiology. The KIN Research Fellowship formerly was called the KIN Student Presentation Award. Changes in the title and criteria were adopted in Fall 2006.

Nomination Procedures

Application procedures and forms (pdf) are available for download. The application deadline is March 15 annually.

  • 2022 - Katie Collins
  • 2021 - Suengmin Lee
  • 2020 - Priya Patel
  • 2019 - Suengmin Lee, Eric Leszczysnki & Amanda McGowan
  • 2018 - Tzu-Hsiang Lin
  • 2017 - Kimberly Clevenger & Omotayo Moss
  • 2016 - Stephen Samendinger
  • 2015 - Samantha Deere
  • 2013 - Tshepang Tsube & Samuel Forlenza
  • 2010 - Ryan Flett
  • 2009 - Clemens Drenowatz
  • 2008 - Graig Chow & Lanay M. Mudd
  • 2007 - Todd A. Gilson, Lanay M. Mudd & Jennifer Stiller
  • 2006 - Adam Bruenger, Teresa Helper & Josh Ode
  • 2005 - Ryan Hedstrom & Craig Paiement
  • 2004 - Craig Paiement & Nick Myers
  • 2003 - Aaron Moffett, Candice Perkins & Nick Myers
  • 2002 - Angela DiPasquale
  • 2001 - Dawn Podulka
  • 1999 - Karin Allor & Leapetswe Malete

Outstanding Kinesiology Graduate Student Organization (KGSO) Award

Description

This award will recognize one KGSO member (master’s or Ph.D. student) who went above and beyond expectations as a KGSO member and made significant contributions to the department through their KGSO activity. This award was initiated in 2023. The recipient for this award will receive up to $1,000 from the KIN department, depending on KIN finances during the year of the award.

Nomination Procedures

The KGSO Executive Board and the KIN graduate program director solicit applications from KIN graduate students during the spring semester.

Applications are due February 15 of each calendar year.

Applicants must submit the following materials to the KIN graduate academic program coordinator.

  • A written statement describing the student’s intent to apply for the Outstanding KGSO Award highlighting the student’s contributions to KGSO. This includes a discussion of how the student implemented the three core values (communication, collaboration, connection) of KGSO into their own graduate student development. Students will also outline the events they contributed to (committee chairs and member’s contributions to the events that they held), as well as events in which they participated (including but not limited to volunteering for panels/service events/doctoral visitation/orientation, events attended, and engagement in KGSO events) (Limit 500 words)

Applications will be reviewed by the review committee: the KGSO Executive Board and the KIN graduate program director. Each review committee member will rank the candidates and a winner will be determined by a sum of ranks. Higher numbers will serve as the tiebreaker. If a tie still exists, multiple awards will be given. If a student has previously won this award, they are not eligible to apply again. 

  • 2025 - Corey Grozier
  • 2024 - Lauren Secaras & Corinne Zimmerman

College of Education Awards

Excellence in Teaching Award

Description

The Excellence in Teaching Award presented by the College of Education is presented annually to four faculty members and four graduate students who have demonstrated that their teaching and advising practices are thoughtful and effective. The Award serves as a public reminder of the commitment by the College of Education to high quality teaching. In addition, the dissemination of innovative teaching practices and materials contributes to the quality of instruction by all faculty and teaching assistants. This award was established in 2005. These awards are no longer distributed at the college-level. Refer to "Excellence-in-Teaching Citations" in the university-level awards. 

  • 2006 - Adam J. Bruenger
  • 2005 - Craig Paiement

Scholarships and Fellowships

A variety of scholarships and fellowships for graduate students are offered through the College of Education.

Michigan State University Awards

  • 2023 - Meredith Wekesser
  • 2022 - Eric Leszczynski
  • 2021 - Jill Kochanek & Emily Wright
  • 2019 - Kathleen Mellano
  • 2017 - Anthony Delli Paoli
  • 2016 - Alison Ede & Eric Martin
  • 2015 - Samantha Deere & Jessica Wallace
  • 2014 - Alexander Montoye & Kimbo Yee
  • 2011 - Erin Kuffel
  • 2009 - Sheila K. Kelly
  • 2008 - Sarah A. Carson
  • 2005 - Paul Nagelkirk & Marissa H. Ferrara
  • 2004 - Candace Perkins
  • 2002 - Jennifer Waldon
  • 2000 - Claudia A. Angeli & Lori Gano-Overway
  • 1997 - Roop Jayaraman
  • 1994 - Stephen R. Walk
  • 1993 - Fiona J. Connor
  • 1990 - Jane A. Schuiteman
  • 1987 - Mary A. Painter
  • 1981 - Brian Curry

Inclusive Excellence Award

Description

The award is presented to honor the exceptional and innovative contributions of students, staff and faculty in advancing inclusive excellence in the following areas: teaching, research, programming, service, community outreach, organizational change.


Nomination Procedures

Nomination forms and further information about the award are available on the web site of the Inclusive Excellence and Impact website.

  • 2005 - Hunter Ignatoski
  • 2002 - Matthew Gerhardt

Other MSU Scholarships, Fellowships and Awards

The Graduate School

MSU Scholarships

Learn more about scholarships offered through MSU.

National Awards

American Kinesiology Association: Writing Award

Description

The American Kinesiology Association Writing Award is an award provided to graduate students who demonstrate outstanding professional writing skills.

Nomination Procedures 

For the AKA Writing Award, nominations are due February 15 annually and include a PDF of the the publication (no cover letter or CV needed). Nominees must meet the following criteria: 

  1. The student is first author on the publication
  2. The manuscript was published in the previous calendar year (e.g., 2025 awardees had a manuscript published in 2024)
  3. The student was a current student in a Kinesiology-related graduate program when the manuscript was accepted for publication; manuscripts accepted for publication after the student graduate are not eligible; in-press manuscripts are not eligible with the exception fo early online journal publications with documentation that the paper is in its final format
  • 2025 - Amy Boettcher