Student Graduate Awards

Each year, Delta College through its Foundation Office, celebrates its best and brightest students at the Graduate Student Awards Ceremony. These outstanding graduates represent the future of the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond.

Award nominations

Each year, Delta College recognizes outstanding graduates at its Graduate Student Awards Ceremony, typically held each April before graduation. Awards are given for high academic achievement, superior citizenship and community service. Eligible recipients must have earned an associate's degree from May of the prior year through April of the award year, have an excellent academic record and have potential for outstanding future achievement. Students are nominated by faculty, staff or they may nominate themselves.

Graduate Awards are funded through endowment gifts from generous donors. An initial investment of $23,500 establishes a graduate award endowment and ensures the award will be given in perpetuity, through a plaque and a student honorarium. 

Being selected for one of these awards is a testimony to the student’s outstanding character and achievement, and we hope it encourages students to attain and excel in their future career goals.

The deadline is Thursday, February 1, 2025.

Apply now


Awards

Thanks to the generosity of many businesses, organizations and individuals, winners will receive lasting recognition on plaques displayed at the college and monetary gifts to assist with their future endeavors.

    • The William R. Collings Award of Excellence recipient will receive $1,250
    • Margaret Timm Award for English recipient will receive $1,000
    • Wesley Timm Award for Social Science recipient will receive $1,000
    • The Robert and Joyce Hetzler Family Award recipient will receive $1,000
    • Board of Trustees recipients will receive $500 each
    • Graduate Student Award recipients will receive $750 each

Award of Excellence for Academics & Citizenship

Given in Honor of Dr. William R. Collings

This award recognizes a student graduate with high personal goals, superior citizenship and leadership potential. The graduate must have an excellent academic record and potential for outstanding future achievement. Candidate should provide letters of recommendation or other documentation demonstrating leadership in extracurricular activities that benefit the College and community. The awards committee will contact finalists for a personal interview.

Exemplary Service & Leadership Award

Given in Honor of the Robert & Joyce Hetzler Family

This award recognizes a student graduate with high academic achievement who has demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to the College and the community. Submission of letters of recommendation or other documentation is a requirement as evidence of achievement. Personal service and leadership examples include, but are not limited to, volunteer work at schools, churches, charitable organizations, and fundraisers. The awards committee will contact finalists for a personal interview. 

Applied Industrial Technology Award 

Sponsored by the Gougeon Employees Foundation

This award recognizes an outstanding graduate in Applied Industrial Technology. Programs considered for this award include Agricultural Technology, Architectural Technology, Automotive Service Technology, Automotive Service Educational Program, Fire Science Technology, Heavy Duty Diesel Service Technology, HVAC/R Service Technology, Manufacturing and Industrial Technology, Mechatronics, Skilled Trades, Residential Construction, Welding, Welding Engineering Technology and Wind Turbine Technology.

Art Award  

Given in Honor of Peter B. and Suzanne Smith Frantz

This award recognizes an outstanding graduate in Art or an Art-related program. Programs considered for this award include Art majors, Electronic Media/Graphic Design and graduates who have excelled in multiple art classes. 

Business, Computer, & Information Technology Award

Sponsored by the Delta College Foundation

This award recognizes an outstanding student graduate in one of the programs in Business, Computer Science or Information Technology. Programs considered for this award include: Accounting, Business and Information Technology, Business/Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Cyber Security, IT Support, Network Administration, and Programming.

Business Management Award

Sponsored by the Morley Family Foundation

Recognizes an outstanding student graduate in a Business or Management-related field. Programs considered for this award include Business Administration, Construction Management, Cosmetology Management, Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management, General Management, Marketing Management, Merchandising Management and Retail Management.

Education Award

Given in Honor of Edward and Kathryn Dunn Langenburg

Recognizes an outstanding graduate in a Pre-School, Child Development or Education transfer program. Programs considered for this award include: Art Education, Business Education, Child Development, Elementary Education, Health Fitness Education Promotion, Industrial Arts Education, Industrial Technology Education, Music Education, Physical Education, Pre-School Education, Secondary Education and Special Education.

Engineering & Mechanical Technology Award

Given in Honor of Fred E. Dulmage

This award recognizes an outstanding graduate in the area of Engineering and Mechanical Technology. Programs considered for this award include: Pre-Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology and graduates with demonstrated excellence in multiple CAD, CNC and DRF courses.

English Award

Given in Honor of Margaret T. Timm

This award recognizes a student graduate for their outstanding scholarship in English studies. Students wishing to be considered for this award should be pursuing a career in Journalism and/or have excelled in multiple courses within the English Division. The English Division faculty will select the award recipient.

Language Studies Award

Given in Honor of Lola Bishop Whitney

This award recognizes an outstanding student graduate for their superior academic achievement and promise in the study of languages. To be considered for this award, students should demonstrate sustained excellence in language studies or American Sign language courses over multiple semesters of study. 

Health Sciences Award  

Given in Honor of James R. McIntyre

The award recognizes an outstanding student graduate in a Health Science program (excluding nursing). Health Science Programs considered for this award include: Dental Assisting, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography, Respiratory Care and Surgical Technology.

Law Enforcement Award  

Sponsored by Fraternal Order of Police,  Bay City Lodge 103

This award recognizes an outstanding student graduate in law enforcement or criminal justice who plans to enter this field directly or who will continue studies at a transfer institution. Programs considered for this award include Corrections, Digital Forensics, Law Enforcement, Law enforcement with Basic Police Training and Security / Loss Prevention Specialist. 

Life Sciences Award  

Given in Honor of Julius & Irene Sutto

This award recognizes an outstanding student graduate in a Life Science transfer field of study. To be considered for this award students should be pursuing education in Life Sciences transfer programs which include: Biology majors,  Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Dietetics, Pre-Mortuary Science, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician and related transfer medical fields.

Mathematics Award  

Given in Honor of Jim & Janis VanTiflin

This award recognizes a student graduate who has achieved a superior scholastic record in mathematics. The recipient must have a strong academic record in the mathematics curriculum, with a minimum of 12 credits earned in higher level mathematics (Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Statistics).

Nursing Award  

Given in Honor of Frances Goll Mills

This award recognizes an outstanding student graduate in nursing. Graduates from programs considered for this award include: Licensed Paramedic to RN, LPN to RN, Nursing and Pre-Nursing (BSN)

Office Professions & Administration Award  

Sponsored by the Delta College Foundation

This award recognizes an outstanding student graduate in an Office Administration or Technology program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, good citizenship and service to the community. Programs considered for this award include: Office Professions, Administrative Assistant, or Medical Office Professions.  

Physical Sciences Award  

Sponsored by Dow, Michigan Operations

This award recognizes a student graduate with the highest accomplishment in physical science. Programs considered for this award include: Biology, Chemical Process Technology, Environmental Technology, Chemistry, Water and Waste Water Technology - also, students with demonstrated excellence in multiple Geography, Geology or Physics courses.

Social Sciences Award 

Given in Honor of Wesley C. Timm

This award recognizes an outstanding student graduate who demonstrates vision and leadership potential in government, education or business in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Students applying for this award must have taken two or more History, Political Science, Global Peace Studies or Economics classes and demonstrate civic leadership potential in government, education or business.

Contact us
Make an appointment with student services departments.

1961 Delta Road
University Center, MI 48710
989–686–9000
info@delta.edu