Northern Campuses Awards

Award recipients standing on stage holding trophies

Four smiling people holding awards on stage

Close-up of smiling award winners with trophies

The Northern Campuses Awards is held annually in collaboration with the John D. MacArthur Campus and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Jupiter provides scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who have exhibited academic or leadership excellence. The Northern Campuses Awards also provides recognition of outstanding work and accomplishments for students, staff, and faculty on the northern campuses who have been outstanding members of the campus community.

The Northern Campuses Awards will take place on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The evening will begin with a reception at 5:00 p.m. in the OLLI Lobby, followed by the Awards Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. in the OLLI Auditorium.

Your nomination ensures that those who go above and beyond—whether through service, innovation, mentorship, or academic achievement—receive the recognition they deserve. Together, we can highlight the inspiring contributions that strengthen our campus culture and advance our shared mission.

Student Awards:

Distinguished: A student who embodies the spirit of Florida Atlantic and whose contributions to the university often go unrecognized.
Intern of the Year: A student who completed an internship experience during summer 2021, fall 2021 or spring 2022 semester. The student embodies professionalism, leadership and work ethic.
Outstanding: Nominated by a faculty member, this award recognizes a student who has shown outstanding academic excellence.
Owl of the Year: A student leader who is a graduating student. This student has shown commitment to the university, academic excellence, and community leadership.
Researcher of the Year: Graduate and undergraduate students who have made a significant contribution to research during their time at the University.

Researcher of the Year: *Undergraduates from each college are also eligible for OURI’s Researchers of the Year Award
Rising Star: A student who has demonstrated leadership, dedication and service to the Northern Campuses, exhibits potential for greater leadership excellence and has attended 3 semesters or less at the university.
Student Employee of the Year: This student is an excellent part of the FAU workplace; they go above and beyond in their hard work for the department they support on-campus.
Volunteer of the Year: A student who embodies servant leadership by continually and altruistically volunteering in the community and/or university

Other Awards:

Faculty of the Year: Nominated by a student, this award recognizes a faculty member who went above and beyond expectations inside or outside of the classroom
Staff of the Year: The staff of the year is a full-time SP or AMP employee (non-faculty) who is a champion for the students & staff they work with. The staff member must be employed on the FAU Northern Campuses
Employer of the Year: An organization (private or public) that regularly supports and hires FAU students for internship, part-time and full-time positions.