Graduation Awards & Recognitions

Badger Future Nurse Leader Award

The Badger Future Nurse Leader Award recognizes a student who is an exemplary leader and embodies the ethics and values of nursing through preparing, motivating, and impacting other students.

The award recipient will receive a certificate of recognition at the BSN Graduation Celebration event in May.

Self-nominations will be accepted for the Badger Future Nurse Leader Award.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison BSN program during the academic year the award is given

Nomination considerations:

• Demonstrate leadership
• Prepare, motivate, and impact other students as leaders
• Participate in community activities and giving back to others
• Mentor fellow students
• Promote activity in nursing organizations
• Make a significant contribution to the overall excellence of their school
• Set a healthy example and promote a healthy lifestyle
• Demonstrate a clear sense of direction for their future nursing careers

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

The recipient of the Badger Future Nurse Leader Award will also be the UW-Madison School of Nursing’s nominee for the Wisconsin Nurses Association (WNA) Future Nurse Leader Award.

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students was created by the DAISY Foundation to remind nursing students, even on their hardest days in nursing school, why they want to be a nurse.  It recognizes nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion they show patients and families while they learn what it means to be a nurse.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students will be awarded to two undergraduate students each academic year. Award recipients will receive a certificate of recognition, a pin, and a statuette at the BSN Graduation Celebration event in May. Recipients will also receive access to many honoree benefits from The DAISY Foundation including opportunities for continuing education, well-being, and professional engagements.

Due to the DAISY Foundation’s award criteria, self-nominations will not be accepted for the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison BSN program during the academic year the award is given

Nomination Considerations:

• Demonstrate commitment to compassionate care of patients and families
• Make a connection with patients, families, and peers by building trust and respect
• Advocate strongly for patients
• Demonstrate exceptional skill

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipients will be selected based upon how successful the candidates are in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

Graduation Speaker

Every year, one ABSN, one BSN@Home, and one TBSN student is elected to give ‘Remarks to the Graduates’ at the BSN Graduation Celebration. Students must be nominated for consideration; self-nominations will be accepted.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison BSN program
• Plan to participate in the BSN Graduation Celebration

Nomination considerations:

• Dedication to the profession
• Communication skills
• Ability to inspire and motivate

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement outlining why they are a good candidate for Graduation Speaker and describe topics they would addressed in their speech.
• Professional-style photo

If more than one student in a program accepts their nomination for Graduation Speaker, a poll will go out to all graduating students in that program to vote for one speaker based on the personal statement nominees provide.

Ginsberg Family Award

Every year, the School of Nursing awards the Ginsberg Family Awards, a campus-wide award which recognizes undergraduate excellence in leadership, service, and scholarship to students at the baccalaureate level. The award is in recognition of strong academic performance combined with outstanding leadership and service to the university or larger community. The Ginsberg family has chosen to offer these awards in honor of the late Dean of Students Paul Ginsberg (Dean of Students from 1970-1987) in recognition of his profound impact on the campus community. These awards will continue Dean Ginsberg’s legacy of transforming the student experience.

The School of Nursing award recipient will receive a certificate of recognition at the BSN Graduation Celebration event in May. On the campus level, the award recipient will be honored during a reception at the end of the spring semester, attended by family, friends, and the Dean of Students, and will receive a $1000 monetary award.

Self-nominations will be accepted for the Ginsberg Family Award.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison BSN program during the academic year the award is given

Nomination Considerations:

• Demonstrate leadership and service to the university or larger community
• Maintain a record of academic excellence

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

For additional information on this award at the campus level, view the Undergraduate Academic Awards – Ginsberg Family Awards page.

Mary L. Keller Research Award

Mary L. Keller was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing for nearly two decades. She died of cancer in May 2006. Professor Keller was an outstanding scholar and her ability to engage and mentor students in research was unsurpassed. The Mary L. Keller Research Award is awarded annually to one student in her memory.

Award recipients receive a certificate of recognition at their nursing graduation event in May, as well as a monetary award that varies year to year.

Self-nominations will be accepted for the Mary L. Keller Research Award.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be involved in research through the Nursing PhD program, the Early Entry PhD program, or the Undergraduate Honors program. Both graduating and continuing students are eligible for the Mary L. Keller Research Award.

Nomination Considerations: 

• Demonstrate passion, integrity, and productivity in nursing research
• Nominators must submit a statement of 250 words or less about the nominee that addresses:
• • The length of time you have known the nominee and your working relationship with the nominee (program/honors advisor, clinical supervisor, course instructor, etc.)
  • The reasons for nominating this individual for the Mary L. Keller Research Award, including insights on the nominee’s passion, integrity, and productivity for nursing research

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

School of Nursing Alumni Pins

Each year, the UW–Madison Nurses Alumni Organization (NAO) honors outstanding graduating students by presenting them with pins donated by alumni of the School. Started in 1996, the pinning tradition illustrates the proud history of the UW–Madison School of Nursing and the strong connection alumni have to the School. More information regarding the pin tradition can be found here.

Pin recipients will be selected by the NAO and will be honored during a virtual pinning ceremony in late-April. Students will also be recognized as a group during the School of Nursing BSN Graduation Celebration in May.

Self-nominations will be accepted for School of Nursing Alumni Pins.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison BSN program during the academic year the award is given

Nomination considerations:

• Outstanding academic achievements
• Volunteer experiences, service positions, leadership experiences
• Significant accomplishments or involvement in innovative projects to improve health and wellness of the community
• Overcoming special challenges/circumstances to obtain a nursing degree

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipients will be selected based upon how successful the candidates are in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

School of Nursing Flag Bearer

Every year at Campus Commencement, one graduating student from each school/college is selected to represent their graduating class by carrying their school/college’s flag in the Commencement Processional. The School of Nursing awards this honor through the award nomination process.

The recipient will carry the School of Nursing flag during Campus Commencement at Camp Randall and will receive a certificate of recognition at the BSN Graduation Celebration event.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison BSN program
• Plan to participate in Campus Commencement at Camp Randall

Nomination Considerations:

• Academic dedication
• Leadership
• Community involvement
• Embodies the values and spirt of the University and School of Nursing

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award

Every year, the School of Nursing awards the School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award to a nursing student at the baccalaureate level. This award recognizes an undergraduate student who has demonstrated high academic achievement both in the classroom and clinical experiences, and has participated in activities to better the school and community.

The award recipient will receive a certificate of recognition at the School of Nursing BSN Graduation Celebration event in May, as well as a monetary award that varies from year to year.

Self-nominations will be accepted for the School of Nursing Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison BSN program
• Have a minimum nursing grade point average of 3.75 and be within the top 5% of their class

Nomination Considerations:

• Participate in volunteer service to the school, community and professional organizations
• Demonstrate exceptional clinical and course performance

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award

Every year, the School of Nursing awards the Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award to a nursing student at the baccalaureate or doctoral level.  The purpose of the award is to help students become aware of the opportunities for publication in nursing literature and to encourage them to write for publication. All currently enrolled UW School of Nursing students, baccalaureate or doctoral, are eligible to submit their paper or manuscript, which is of publishable quality.

The award recipient will receive a certificate of recognition at a graduation event in May, as well as a monetary award.

Self-nominations will be accepted for the Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award.

To qualify:

• Nominee must be the primary author
• Paper/manuscript must be relevant to a topic of interest to nursing (examples: clinical topics, research, health care delivery, nursing roles, international nursing experiences, illustrative case studies, administrative issues)
• Paper/manuscript must be prepared for submission or submitted to a nursing or health-related journal

Nomination Considerations:

• Quality of writing – relevance, depth, clarity, organization, accuracy
• Impact of writing – innovative, practical implications, scholarly impact

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Paper/manuscript
• “Guidelines for Authors” of the (intended) journal
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

Graduation Speaker

Every year, one DNP and one PhD student is elected to give ‘Remarks to the Graduates’ at the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. Students must be nominated for consideration; self-nominations will be accepted.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison nursing doctoral program
• Plan to participate in the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

Nomination considerations:

• Dedication to the profession
• Communication skills
• Ability to inspire and motivate

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement outlining why they are a good candidate for Graduation Speaker and describe topics they would addressed in their speech.
• Professional-style photo

If more than one student in a program accepts their nomination for Graduation Speaker, a poll will go out to all graduating students in that program to vote for one speaker based on the personal statement nominees provide.

Mary L. Keller Research Award

Mary L. Keller was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing for nearly two decades. She died of cancer in May 2006. Professor Keller was an outstanding scholar and her ability to engage and mentor students in research was unsurpassed. The Mary L. Keller Research Award is awarded annually to one student in her memory.

Award recipients receive a certificate of recognition at their nursing graduation event in May, as well as a monetary award that varies year to year.

Self-nominations will be accepted for the Mary L. Keller Research Award.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be involved in research through the Nursing PhD program, the Early Entry PhD program, or the Undergraduate Honors program. Both graduating and continuing students are eligible for the Mary L. Keller Research Award.

Nomination Considerations: 

• Demonstrate passion, integrity, and productivity in nursing research
• Nominators must submit a statement of 250 words or less about the nominee that addresses:
• • The length of time you have known the nominee and your working relationship with the nominee (program/honors advisor, clinical supervisor, course instructor, etc.)
  • The reasons for nominating this individual for the Mary L. Keller Research Award, including insights on the nominee’s passion, integrity, and productivity for nursing research

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award

Every year, the School of Nursing awards the School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award to an outstanding graduate student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. This award recognizes academic achievements in the program, performance in clinical courses, research interests, and/or contributions to the school.

The award recipient will receive a certificate of recognition at the School of Nursing Doctoral Hooding Ceremony in May. All currently enrolled UW School of Nursing DNP students are eligible with priority given to graduating DNP students.

Self-nominations will be accepted for the School of Nursing DNP Excellence Award.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be enrolled in the DNP program
• Have a minimum nursing grade point average of 3.75, within top 5%

Nomination Considerations:

• Participate in volunteer service to the school, community and professional organizations
• Demonstrate exceptional clinical and course performance

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

School of Nursing Flag Bearer

Every year at Campus Commencement, one graduating student from each school/college is selected to represent their graduating class by carrying their school/college’s flag in the Commencement Processional. The School of Nursing awards this honor through the award nomination process.

The recipient will carry the School of Nursing flag during Campus Commencement at the Kohl Center and will receive a certificate of recognition at the Doctoral Hooding Cermeony.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be on track to graduate from a UW-Madison doctoral nursing program
• Plan to participate in Campus Commencement at the Kohl Center

Nomination Considerations:

• Academic dedication
• Leadership
• Community involvement
• Embodies the values and spirt of the University and School of Nursing

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award

Every year, the School of Nursing awards the Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award to a nursing student at the baccalaureate or doctoral level.  The purpose of the award is to help students become aware of the opportunities for publication in nursing literature and to encourage them to write for publication. All currently enrolled UW School of Nursing students, baccalaureate or doctoral, are eligible to submit their paper or manuscript, which is of publishable quality.

The award recipient will receive a certificate of recognition at a graduation event in May, as well as a monetary award.

Self-nominations will be accepted for the Signe Skott Cooper Writing Award.

To qualify:

• Nominee must be the primary author
• Paper/manuscript must be relevant to a topic of interest to nursing (examples: clinical topics, research, health care delivery, nursing roles, international nursing experiences, illustrative case studies, administrative issues)
• Paper/manuscript must be prepared for submission or submitted to a nursing or health-related journal

Nomination Considerations:

• Quality of writing – relevance, depth, clarity, organization, accuracy
• Impact of writing – innovative, practical implications, scholarly impact

Once nominated, nominee must submit the following to be considered for this award:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Personal statement
• Paper/manuscript
• “Guidelines for Authors” of the (intended) journal
• Professional-style photo

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in an Academic Setting

Over the years of running The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, The DAISY Foundation has come to learn that despite the many pressures on nursing educators, they have a profound impact on the future practice of their students. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators was established to demonstrate appreciation for nursing faculty and their commitment and inspirational influence on their students.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in an Academic Setting will be awarded to two faculty members each year; one faculty member from the undergraduate program and one faculty member from the graduate program. Award recipients will receive a certificate of recognition, a pin, and a statuette at the respective School of Nursing graduation event in May.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be a current faculty member/clinical instructor at the UW-Madison School of Nursing

Nomination Considerations:

• Demonstrates enthusiasm for teaching, learning, and nursing that inspires and motivates students.
• Uses personal attributes (e.g., caring, confidence, patience, integrity and flexibility) that facilitate professional growth.
• Is fair and unbiased in their treatment of students
• Develops collaborative working relationships with students and colleagues

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

All nominees will be considered for this award – nominees do not need to accept the nomination or submit a personal statement.

DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting

Exceptionally skilled and compassionate nursing educators play a pivotal role in shaping the nursing workforce and setting an example for future nurses. Society relies on these educators to impart the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for nurses to provide compassionate and complex care. In healthcare organizations, preceptors ensure that students are competent and confident in their skills, playing a crucial part in ensuring that the public receives care from educated, competent, and proficient nurses. With gratitude for the continuum of educators in practice settings, The DAISY Foundation and the UW-Madison School of Nursing are honored to present The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting to preceptors who have committed themselves to educating the future of nursing and advancing patient care.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators in a Clinical Setting will be awarded to two preceptors each year; one preceptor from the undergraduate program and one preceptor from the graduate program. Award recipients will receive a certificate of recognition, a pin, and a statuette at the respective School of Nursing graduation event in May.

To qualify, nominee must:

• Be a current or previous preceptor for student/s attending the UW-Madison School of Nursing

Nomination Considerations:

• Has empathy and compassion which fosters deep connections and creates a safe and supportive environment
• Possesses effective communication skills, is able to articulate ideas and present information in a clear and concise manner
• Serves as a role model and mentor for nursing by leading by example and nurturing leadership qualities
• Is adaptable and flexible, embracing change and able to modify teaching methods to meet a diverse range of needs
• Models a love of learning and is committed to lifelong learning and professional development
• Establishes clear learning outcomes and provides constructive feedback
• Builds collaborative working relationships

The recipient will be selected based upon how successful the candidate is in meeting the eligibility criteria and the quality of the submitted materials in relation to the demands of the award.

Nominees will be contacted by the Awards Committee to verify they would like to be considered for this award.