• Undergraduate students who have completed at least 60 credits (30 of those must have been earned at WCU)
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
• Must be in good standing with regard to personal and academic conduct

• Academics (GPA): 25%
• Leadership: 25%
• Community Engagement: 25%
• Career Readiness: 25%

View the selection criteria rubric here . 

• Personal information (e.g., name, contact information, major)
• Responses to five short-answer questions
• Resume
• Two letters of recommendation:
  One must be from a WCU faculty or staff member, the second an individual of their choice (e.g., supervisor, mentor, advisor), but may NOT be another WCU student.
• View the 1871 Award application

Complete the application  HERE

Applications will be evaluated by a committee of WCU faculty and staff, as well as one student, representing the following areas:

• Student Affairs senior leader (chair)
• College of Arts & Humanities
• College of Health Sciences
• College of Business & Public Management
• College of the Sciences & Mathematics
• College of Education & Social Work
• School of Music
• Student Affairs staff members (2)
• Student (senior, former 1871 Award recipient)
• University College

• 1871 Award honorees will be recognized at a spring award ceremony that will be attended by WCU senior leadership.
• They will receive a certificate and a special “1871 Award” pin.
• They will receive a special designation next to their name within the commencement program.
• Their names will also be published and archived on the WCU website.

• September: Call for nominations
• October 25, 2020, 11:45 pm:  Deadline to apply
• December: Selections made
• January: Applicants notified
• April 15, 2021:  Recipients honored at an award ceremony