Hilltop Excellence Awards

The Hilltop Excellence Awards is SMU's most prestigious awards ceremony, annually recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of students, staff, and faculty at SMU. Each spring, the Division of Student Affairs invites nominations from the entire SMU community for the many awards listed below.

2026 Award Recipients

The "M" Award		Presidential Awards of Excellence
Students Arianna Villarreal Ashley Jones Chris Cook Jenna Young Katelyn Tran Leticia Laranjeira Rylan Robb Will Leathers Zahra Chowdhury Zoey Hess	Faculty/Staff Ashley Fitzpatrick Elizabeth Russ Jennifer O'Brien Michael Harris Robert Bucker	Scholar Leader: Caroline Pierce Scholar Volunteer: William Schmitt

Avella Winn Hay Award	John L. Freehafer Award	Umphrey Lee Award
Melanie Jackson	Duncan Yozzo Ebere Emefiele Lena Rembert Megan Ruth Manning Melanie Jackson Olufemi Omotayo Peter Harris	Ayan Khan

student posing for photo with crystal award plaque in front of stage with red, blue, and white flowers in the background

four students posing for photo with award certificates in front of white curtain backdrop

three people posing for photo on stage with award recipient in the middle holding award plaque

Criteria for Awards

In order for an award to be presented at the Hilltop Excellence Awards, it must meet the following criteria. These criteria were established in 2010 and took effect in 2011. All awards presented prior to 2011 (including those listed below) are grandfathered in without meeting these criteria:

Nominations must be open to a broad audience; ideally all faculty, staff and students. At a minimum, two of those groups must be able to nominate.
The award must be presented to a broad recipient pool; ideally students. If faculty are included, staff should be as well.
Requests to include new awards presented during the Hilltop Excellence Awards are not being accepted at this time.

We recommend that staff-only awards be presented at the Staff Recognition Ceremony produced by the Staff Association.

Criteria for Nominees

In order for an award nominee to be eligible to be a recipient at the Hilltop Excellence Awards, they must meet the following criteria. These criteria were established in 2012 and took effect in 2013. All award recipients prior to 2013 are grandfathered in without meeting these criteria:

At the time of nomination and presentation of the award, recipients must currently be enrolled at or employed by SMU. An SMU Retiree may be nominated if they retired in the academic year of the ceremony.
Students must graduate from SMU in the calendar year in which the award is given, except in the case of the Freehafer Award which can be awarded to one or more sophomore, junior, or senior students.
Student award recipients may be undergraduate or graduate students unless specifically proscribed in individual award criteria.

About the Awards

The "M" Award is the highest recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the SMU Campus. The recipients' efforts have been continuous during their years at the University and are not limited to a narrow vested interest. The "M" Award honorees are an inspiration to others, giving unselfishly of their time and talents in order to make the University, and indeed the world, a better place.

Criteria:

Faculty/staff nominees must have at least six (6) years of continuous employment at SMU. The "M" Award may only be received once; previous recipients are not eligible.

List of Past Award Winners

This award is given to a graduating senior based on scholarly excellence, exemplary character, and significant contribution to the SMU community. This award is generously funded by the Avella Winn Hay Award Endowment.

Criteria:

Nominee must be an undergraduate student who will graduate by August of the same year the award is given.

Dr. and Mrs. Lytle J. Freehafer established a memorial award in 1967 in honor of their son, John L. Freehafer, a 1965 graduate of SMU, who died October 6, 1965 in the Philippines on an around-the-world tour following graduation. In establishing the award, Dr. Freehafer, former Vice President at Purdue University, asked that a committee of student leaders and university administrators who are concerned with student personnel and student life, select the students who are to receive the awards. This award is generously funded by the John L. Freehafer Memorial Endowment Fund.

Criteria:

The John L. Freehafer Memorial award is given to one or more sophomore, junior or senior students who have demonstrated an interest in people, in student life, in student activities and in student government and/or who have a special interest in how people govern themselves.

The Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Athlete is given to an outstanding student athlete who has demonstrated outstanding ability on the field and in the classroom. This award is generously funded by the John L. Freehafer Memorial Endowment Fund.

Criteria:

A graduating senior with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and an outstanding record on the field of play at SMU is eligible for the Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Athlete.

The Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Leader is given to an outstanding student leader who has shown qualities of leadership which have benefited the SMU community. This award is generously funded by the John L. Freehafer Memorial Endowment Fund.

Criteria:

A graduating senior with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and an outstanding record of leadership at SMU is eligible for the Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Leader.

The Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Volunteer is given to an outstanding student who has volunteered his or her services to the greater Dallas community and beyond. This award is generously funded by the John L. Freehafer Memorial Endowment Fund.

Criteria:

A graduating senior with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and an outstanding record of volunteerism at SMU is eligible for the Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Volunteer.

The Umphrey Lee Award is named for the first president of the student body at SMU, who then went on to become the University's 4th President in 1939. In the spirit of the servant-leader role that defined his life, the Umphrey Lee Award is presented annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding involvement in and contribution to the University community while a student at SMU.

Criteria:

Nominee must be an undergraduate student who will graduate in same Spring term that the award is given. The nominee, or their nominator, should indicate ways in which they have been involved and what contributions have been made to the University community while a student at SMU.