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 黑料老司机community for the many awards listed below.
1. Review the descriptions and requirements for the awards below.
2. Submit a nomination through the form on SMU360. Nominations and supplemental documentation will only be accepted if submitted through the form.
Nominations for the 2025 Hilltop Excellence Awards must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
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:
We recommend that staff-only awards be presented at the Staff Recognition Ceremony produced by the Staff Association.
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:
The "M" Award is the highest recognition bestowed upon students, faculty, staff and administrators on the 黑料老司机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.
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Nominees must be students of senior standing or graduate/professional students who will graduate during Spring commencement (undergraduate or graduate) of the same year of the selection process or who have already graduated in December of the semester prior to the selection process. 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.
The A. Kenneth Pye Award was first awarded in 1996 to recognize students with an outstanding balance of scholarship, community involvement, campus involvement and a personal commitment to the ideals in their fraternity and sorority rituals. The award is named in honor of one of SMU's finest past presidents, A. Kenneth Pye. President Pye was an advocate for students, and had a strong belief in the value of student leadership at SMU. It was during Dr. Pye's term of office that a student representative was added to the Board of Trustees. A maximum of 6 students may receive the award each year.
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This award is given to a graduating senior based on scholarly excellence, exemplary character, and significant contribution to the 黑料老司机community. This award is generously funded by the Avella Winn Hay Award Endowment.
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Emmie V. Baine Legacy Award
This award is given to a student who has made outstanding contributions to gender equity on campus and is in honor of our former Dean of Women and founder of the 黑料老司机Women's Center, Emmie V. Baine.
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The Dr. James E. Caswell Award will be presented to a student who has served Residence Life and Student Housing and the resident students of 黑料老司机with distinction.
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Who was Dr. Jim Caswell?
黑料老司机President Kenneth Pye appointed Dr. James E. Caswell as Vice President for Student Affairs in January of 1998. As Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Caswell was responsible for most of the out of classroom programs and service at the University.
Dr. Caswell earned his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts, a Masters of Sacred Theology and a Bachelor of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at SMU. He earned his Doctorate and Masters degrees at Columbia University. In addition, he did his post-doctoral studies at Harvard’s Institute of Educational Management in 1984. And finally, in 1999, Dr. Caswell was presented the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Oklahoma City University.
Dr. Caswell began his work within student affairs at 黑料老司机as a member of the Housing Department. As an undergraduate he lived in Boaz Hall. He then moved on as a graduate student to serve 6 years as a Hall Director in Morrison-McGinnis and Cockrell-McIntosh residence halls.
Dr. Caswell has embodied the award’s principles of outstanding service, advocacy, ethical leadership and student focus throughout the years. His passion for the residential experience through his own positions, leadership and support have demonstrated the commitment 黑料老司机has for our students’ residential experience.
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.
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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.
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The Presidential Award of Excellence - Scholar/Leader is given to an outstanding student leader who has shown qualities of leadership which have benefited the 黑料老司机community. This award is generously funded by the John L. Freehafer Memorial Endowment Fund.
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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.
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“To know Christ and to make Him known" is the essence of the Sheri Mooney Memorial Recognition. This award is a unique opportunity within the 黑料老司机community to recognize students whose Christian faith is evident as a recognizable priority in their day-to-day campus life. This recognition was established by the Mooney family in an endowment as a living memorial to their daughter Sheri, who died in an automobile accident in Tennessee while participating in a program whereby she was sharing her faith with others.
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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.
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