In 1959, the first M Award ceremony took place. Jim Caswell, the vice president of student affairs, coordinated the event to recognize ten students for their hard work and dedication to improving the campus community.
The M Award became a yearly tradition rewarding students’ efforts until 1971, when the recipient list extended to faculty and staff. Since then, the M Award ceremony acknowledges fifteen outstanding students, faculty and staff at the end of the yearly Awards Extravaganza.
According to the SMU Student Affairs website, the “‘M’ Award is the most highly prized 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.”
Dr. Judy Henneberger, Associate Chaplain to the University and the current chair for the M Award explains how students, faculty and staff are eligible for the distinguished award.
“It’s not a narrow interest- they can be really good at one thing; it’s how they impact the university community. Students, faculty and staff that receive the award are everywhere. They’re students leaders, servants, givers, community service workers,” Henneberger said.
An example of a “typical” M Award recipient could be the Student Senate president.
“It’s common for [them] to get it,” Henneberger said. “Why? They have a campaign; they have a vision for the community. And they work really hard to achieve it so they should get recognized.”
As for faculty and staff members, Henneberger actually received the M Award in 2006 for her work in the ministry for the community, particularly religious life organizations and the university community in the Office of the Chaplain.
“It’s very humbling to know that you have colleagues who recognize you and saw you as a part of this prestigious community,” Henneberger said. “It’s an honorable experience.”
Tony Pederson, professor and the Belo Distinguished Chair in Journalism, also received the M Award in 2014. He is on the board for the Embrey Human Rights Program since its founding and president of the Faculty Club.
“I knew the M Award was a really big deal,” Pederson said. “I knew the background on it and I knew the quality of the people, faculty and students who have won. It was a little bit of a surprise…but it was a very nice surprise. It was a nice honor for me.”
Another 2014 M Award recipient was Ashley Garner. A few of her accomplishments include serving on Dr. Whites Vice President Student Advisary Board, being an AARO Leader and Student Director and Mustang Bridge Academic Program Student Coordinator.
Garner recalls the moment she won the M Award:
“It was incredible,” she said. “The perfect way to end the culmination of my entire undergraduate career. I felt like my hard work, passion, and spirit were truly being recognized. Recognition is truly a beautiful thing and it is an honor to have students, faculty and staff consider you worthy of any honor.”
Henneberger hopes to bring more attention to the M Award to highlight the deserving SMU community members.
“It’s the most prestigious award the university can recognize- take the nomination seriously,” she said. “I hope everyone realizes that this is for the people who really impacted the community and it’s our time to say ‘thank you, you’ve been an inspiration.'”
Nominations for the 2015 M Awards are open now until Feb. 27. The 2015 Awards Extravaganza will be held Monday, April 13, 2015 at 7:30 PM in the Ballroom of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center.
