Student Awards

Recipients of the R. Kenneth Benson Award have excelled academically; maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6. They have also shown outstanding leadership ability and dedicated themselves to serving the University and the community. This is the most prestigious and distinguished award given to a student at Southern Utah University.

Eligibility: Current Individual Student
Requirements: GPA 3.6

Recipients of the Sterling R. Church Student Involvement Award have shown extraordinary commitment within one specific organization, club, or department at SUU. Their contributions within the specific area are not only visible to those within their organization but to the campus as a whole. The student has gone above and beyond their call of duty.

Eligibility: Current Individual Student

Recipients of the Georgia Beth Thompson Service of the Year Award have demonstrated exceptional volunteer service in the Cedar City area and surrounding communities while representing Southern Utah University. This award recognizes a student whose commitment to civic engagement extends beyond the SUU campus and has made a meaningful, positive impact on the local community. Recipients exemplify service, leadership, and dedication through sustained volunteerism that strengthens the connection between SUU and the region it serves.

Eligibility: Current Individual Student

Recipients of the Personality of the Year Award are campus characters that are remarkably funny, uncommonly kind, and a little quirky. These unique students make campus life exciting and fun, and they use their enthusiasm, optimism, and humor to lighten a situation or encourage a friend with a simple smile and impeccable timing.

Eligibility: Current Individual Student

Recipients of the Student Organization Award consistently contribute to the improvement and well-being of their members while also enhancing the educational experience of students at Southern Utah University. Through meaningful campus involvement and considerable community service, the Student Organization Award is a leading organization among the University’s numerous independent student clubs and university-sponsored organizations.

Eligibility: Independent Student Clubs and University Sponsored Organizations

Selection Awards

The Scholar of the Year finalists are selected as exceptional students in their field by the Dean of each college. These finalists will be invited via email to an in-person interview. The awards specific judging committee of 3-5 interviewers will independently score each interviewee. The Thunderbird Awards committee will calculate the scores to determine the winner.

The Student Artist of the Year finalists are selected as exceptional students in their field by the College of Performing and Visual Arts Faculty. These finalists will be invited via email to an in-person performance. The awards-specific judging committee of 3-5 interviewers will independently score each performer. The Thunderbird Awards committee will calculate the scores to determine the winner.

The Southern Utah University department of Athletics creates a selection committee that both nominates and selects the 5 finalists and winner of the Female Athlete of the Year Award.

The Southern Utah University department of Athletics creates a selection committee that both nominates and selects the 5 finalists and winner of the Male Athlete of the Year Award.

Past Thunderbird Award Recipients

2022: Mahala Sutherland
2020: Katherine Jensen
2019: Sipho Ncube
2018: Ruth Roach
2017: Day in the Parks/University of the Parks

2025: Colter Bennett
2024: Alexis McIff
2023: Alexa Lord
2022: Nouman Kante
2021: Brad Haralson
2020: Skyler Clark
2019: Skyler Porcaro
2018: Justin Douglas
2017: Brandon Day
2016: Colby Presley
2015: Caleb White
2014: Weston Prisbrey
2013: Jeffrey Hertig
2012: Brian Johnson
2011: Michael Hunter
2010: Cody Alderson
2009: Jon McNaughton
2008: Justin Bowles
2007: Steve Kissel
2006: Caleb Miller
2005: Ryan Van Workman
2004: Paul W. Shakespear
2003: Eric Kirby & Evan Wilcock
2002: Brad Cox
2001: Matthew Cannon
2000: Adam Marchant
1999: Nathan Wilkey
1998: Trelon Mueller
1997: Kelly Olsen & Darren Marshall
1996: Tosh Brinkerhoff
1995: Jarid Gray
1994: Hal James Wilcock Jr.
1993: Douglas Mason
1992: James Staheli
1991: Gary Ziegler
1990: Philip Chidester
1989: Lynn Holt
1988: Kimball "KC" Jones
1987: Alan Bailey
1986: Kon Kontaogiannis
1985: Michael Michie
1984: H. Scott Johnson
1983: H. Scott Johnson

2025: Maddy Steffensen
2024: Om Mehta
2023: Candice Riddell
2022: David Nguyen
2020: Morgan Whiskers
2019: Tylor Garcia Standing Soldier
2018: Cami Mathews
2017: Ryan Bailey
2016: Tommy Gugino
2015: Sterling R. Church
2014: Rebecca Powell
2013: Jay Sorenson
2012: Rendall Seely
2011: Danielle Wenn
2010: Raquel Roldan
2009: Megan Spiva-Lloyd
2008: Jesse Holt
2007: Caytee Cox
2006: Eliza Pederson
2005: Molly Bauer
2004: Joleen Kremin
2003: LaTonya Heaton
2002: Rob Ferre
2001: Jeremy Walker

2025: Paige Iverson
2024: McCall Tingey
2023: Arianna Marroquin

2020: McCall Tingey
2019: D'Mia Lamar
2018: Payton Yerke
2017: Keanu Au
2016: Heather Garcia
2015: Bailey Bowthorpe
2014: Paige Gunn
2013: Jenna DeGering
2012: Stephanie Peterson
2011: Danielle Schiller
2010: Timian Yoshimoto
2009: Azita Tizpa
2008: Megan Atkinson Moon
2007: Jill Stevens
2006: Eliza Pederson
2005: Annie Draper
2004: Casse Malhotra
2003: Shanna Hales
2002: Rhiannon Bent
2001: Marilyn Hadsen
2000: Nicole Bingham
1999: Michan Ott
1998: Tasha Adams
1997: Keri Mecham
1996: Circe Chamberlain
1995: Stacee Yardley
1994: Jodi Rileen Hart
1993: Lisa Pearce
1992: Rachelle Tracy
1991: Julie Stuart
1990: Jan Shelton
1989: Lilli Garrido
1988: Monica Moe
1987: Kathy Shamma
1986: Darnea Mason
1985: Sharon Judd
1984: Jilyn Nielson
1983: Tracy Dewsnup
1982: Cheri L. Trejo

2020: Brandon Payne
2019: Jon Baker
2018: Parker Hess
2017: Tyler Cornia
2016: Ryan Bailey
2015: Tom Hanratty
2014: Grayson Moulton
2013: Samuel Findley
2012: TJ Nelson
2011: Shaka Richardson
2010: Jeff Kinsel
2009: Daniel Strange
2008: Jesse Holt
2007: Shawn Ladingham
2006: Henry Simkins
2004: Bret Nelson
2003: Kolby Day
2002: Evan Wilcock
2001: Steve Nelson
2000: Kristian Olsen
1999: Spencer Luth
1998: Russell Kennedy
1997: Darrell Osterhoudt
1996: Russell Kennedy
1995: Derick Van Ness
1994: Benjamin D. Baldwin
1993: Jason Damron
1992: Pete Johnson
1991: Paul Spears
1990: Del Beatty
1989: C. Tad Brinkerhoff
1988: Darin Bird
1987: Keith Betsuie
1986: Stuart Jones
1985: Mitchell C. Connell
1984: Mark D. Wade
1983: Donald Hulet
1982: Wane Kitrell

2025: Animal Ambassadors
2024: Women in Business Club
2023: SUU Animal Ambassadors
2022: SUU Outdoors
2020: Community Engagement Center
2019: International Student Ambassadors
2018: SUU Presidential Ambassadors
2017: ACES
2016: Poly Club
2015: Sigma Chi
2014: The Michael O Leavitt Center
2013: The Mickael O Leavitt Center
2012: SUU Army ROTC
2011: Queer Straight Alliance
2010: President's Ambassadors
2009: Alpha Phi
2008: Service & Learning
2007: SUU Army ROTC
2006: T-Bird Karate
2005: Alpha Phi
2004: Ballroom Dance Co.
2003: Alternative Spring Break
2002: Power 91
2001: Change Presidential
2000: Sigma Nu
1999: Alpha Phi
1998: Radio Club
1997: SIFE
1996: Zeta Tau Alpha
1995: SIFE
1994: Sigma Chi
1993: Campus Diversity
1992: Discovery
1991: Delta Sigma Chi
1990: Chi Sigma Upsilon
1989: Phi Beta Lambda
1988: Circle K
1987: Inter-Tribal Club
1986: VICA
1985: VICA
1984: Phi Beta Lambda
1983: Circle K
1982: Phi Beta Lambda

2022: Jackson Nowatske
2020: Jessie Abbott
2019: Nicholas Bastian
2018: Jacob Lambertsen
2017: Devron Johnson
2016: Sidney Vowles
2015: Neal Mason
2014: Kori Ann Corbridge
2013: Brandon Wignall
2012: Colton K Griffiths
2011: Jeremy Christiansen
2010: Jamie N. Nielson
2009: Paul Johnson
2008: Issac Holyoak
2007: Nicholas Gower
2006: Andrew Dixon & Christine
2005: Teresa Knudson
2004: Melanie Orton
2001: Grace Poyer
2000: Erica Thompson
1999: Jason Blackham
1998: Julie Anderson
1997: Jason Blackham
1995: Zachary Truman
1994: Cami Gillman
1993: Karen Lowe
1992: Stephanie Chidester
1991: Stephanie Chidester
1990: Lori Kezos
1989: Kimball "KC" Jones
1988: Jolynn Barnhurst
1987: Margie Taylor
1986: Mark D. Pierce
1985: Lohra D. Yount
1984: Maria Gancalves
1983: Linda Gubler
1982: Michael Chidester

2020:Ashley Stackhouse
2019: Isabella Giordano
2018: Henry Ballesteros
2017: Erin Hulse
2016: Marissa Brown
2015: Darin Hunsinger
2014: Alexandria Wall Staheli
2013: Sasha Bainson
2012: Payden Lloyd Adams
2011: Gary J. Howe
2010: Payden Lloyd Adams
2009: Carrie Colton
2008: Rhett Guter
2007: Suzanne Wood
2006: Chelsea Davis
2005: Emily Hyde & Michelle Steineckert
2004: Aria Hansen
2003: Josh Richerson
2002: Wendy Milam
2001: Ashley Pearson Talbot
2000: Victoria Hay
1999: Marlo Madsen Ihler
1998: Kristen Kemerer
1997: Marlo Madsen
1996: Amy Greenwood
1995: Brian C. Vaughn
1994: Brian C. Vaughn
1993: Clarisse Chadwick
1992: Brian C. Vaughn
1991: April Black
1990: Peter Tagg
1989: Peter Tagg
1988: Michael Anderson
1987: Doug Christiansen
1986: Michael Michie
1985: Michael Michie
1984: Paul N. Gates
1983: Matt Christensen
1982: F. Willam Brough

2025: Jeremy Walker
2024: Courtney Glad
2023: Allan Ahanonu

2025: Amy Adams
2024: Eme Larsen
2023: Kamarie Dalton
2022: Lawrence Mbaki
2022: Lawrence Mbaki
2020: Sarah Monson
2019: Nouman Kante
2018: Ruthie Reed
2017: Rural Health Scholars

2022: Junestevie Nkaya
2020: Megan McBride
2019: Sofia Scaletta
2018: Ayleen Perry
2017: Kelli Griffin
2016: Payton Yerke
2015: Madi Day
2014: Audrey Guyant
2013: Sarah Alamshaw
2012: Kendra Jean Davis
2011: Chelsea Chaney
2010: Alayna Ferrin
2009: Megan Atkinson Moon
2008: Lindsay Pace
2007: Traci Martinez
2006: Sherstin Creamer
2005: Anna Davis
2004: Kaydee Weaver
2003: Josie Beth Baxter
2002: Jennifer Powell
2001: Sheri Stowell
2000: Nancy Louthan
1999: Jodi Lee
1998: Suzanne Young
1997: Valerie Olsen
1996: Stacee Yardley
1995: Kamie F. Brown
1994: Kristen H. Christensen
1993: Stacy Buchanon
1992: Julie Cook
1991: Rachel Talbot
1990: Michael Dutson
1989: Sheri Lynne Brown
1988: Stacy Buchanon
1987: Dorcas Adams
1986: Suzanne Corry
1985: Lori Morrell
1984: Jessica Barton
1983: Paula Burgoyne

2025: Valeriia Aksakova
2024: Eleora Ryan
2023: Anne Turner

2025: Niya Randolph
2024: Niya Randolph
2023: Cherita Daugherty
2022: Chanikan (Pluem) Yongyuan
2020: Rebecca Cardenas
2019: Chaniken Yongyuan
2018: Ally Thimsen
2017: Danielle Ramirez
2016: Natalie Trejo
2015: Ashley Hawks
2014: Hailey Mendelko
2013: Tayler Anderson
2012: Brooke Cersosimo
2011: Lindsay Shultz
2010: Elise Wheeler
2009: Kristen Fronk
2008: Erin Morgan
2007: Elise Wheeler
2006: Sheena Shaw
2005: Janis Beal
2004: Casey Cooke
2003: Talayna Fasturato
2002: Caroline Heaton
2001: Susan Clark
2000: Susan Clark
1999: Tamara Turley
1998: Mindee Larsen
1997: Julie Grant
1996: Stacey Cather
1995: Cheri Frandsen
1994: Cheri Shurtliff
1987: Jill Porter
1986: Jolene Fisher
1985: Jill Reynolds
1984: Coleen Hawkings
1983: Paula Burgoyne
1982: Lori Lynne McCurdy

2025: Targhee Lambson
2024: Isaiah Labra
2023: Tevian Jones
2022: Braxton Jones
2020: Zach Larsen
2019: Cameron Oluyitan
2018: Patrick Tyler
2017: Michael Needham
2016: James Cowser
2015: Sammy Cole
2014: James Cowser
2013: Jackson Stevenett
2012: Ray Jones Jr.
2011: Carlos A. Valle
2010: Tyson Poots
2009: David Marek
2008: DeWayne Lewis
2007: Jesson Baumgartner
2006: Rand Janes
2005: Jesson Baumgartner
2004: Cody Moat
2003: David Palmer
2002: Matthew Cannon
2001: Matthew Cannon
2000: Jody Benson
1999: Tarvish Felton/Mark Wright
1998: Jody Benson
1997: Joe DePaix
1996: Reggie Ingram
1995: Travis Anderson
1994: N/A
1993: Richard Barton
1992: Dana Achtzen
1991: Peter Johnson
1990: David Dix
1987: Troy Moynier
1986: Doug Alldredge
1985: Stuart Adams
1984: Gray Mason
1983: Russel Eyre
1982: Dale Simpson