Please save the date for the Tower Awards on Monday, April 17, 2023 (5:30 pm-7:30 pm) at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center.
The UT Tower Awards, hosted by the Office of the President and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, honor organizations and individuals for their service to the greater Austin area. These awards aim to highlight excellence in community leadership and commitment to community-university partnerships.
Previously, the Community Leadership Awards honored external community partners, while the Tower Awards primarily honored campus community members. By hosting one joint community awards ceremony for the university, we build stronger community-university relationships while also elevating the significance of this recognition for our honorees. Save the date and plan to join us in person as we come together to celebrate the people and organizations that are making a big impact on campus and in the Greater Austin community.
Nominate Community Members
Please use the buttons below to nominate outstanding community members you believe deserve our recognition. Thank you!
2023 Community Engagement Award
This award recognizes dedication from a community-based organization or individual that has significantly contributed to community engagement efforts in partnership with The University of Texas at Austin. Those considered for this award clearly support the public service mission of UT Austin, and are focused on partnership with the goal of maximizing the capacity and impact of all involved. We’ll be honoring efforts in the following categories: Civil Rights, Education Equity, Housing and Affordability, Health Equity, Legal Advocacy, Disaster Relief
2023 Outstanding Staff Award
This award recognizes UT staff members or groups who have made significant contributions to community engagement through their work as volunteers and role models. The winners have shown dedication to community engagement outside of their job descriptions, and their commitment inspires service in others.
2023 Outstanding Service-Learning Instructor Award
This award recognizes a course instructor or faculty that fosters mutually beneficial relationships with community partners. Honorees in this category have demonstrated commitment to outside-the-classroom experiences, which are integral to student learning. Honorees will receive a course development grant. (Preference is given to a class where 20% or more of the grade is based on service.)
2023 Outstanding Student Volunteer
In partnership with the Dean of Students and the Texas Cowboys student organization, this award recognizes dedication in UT students who have made significant contributions to The University of Texas, the City of Austin, or communities worldwide through their work as volunteers and leaders. These individuals show dedication, initiative and a continued passion for service.
2023 William C. Powers, Jr. Lifetime Service Award
This award recognizes an individual associated with UT-Austin who has demonstrated dedication and commitment to service, over the course of their lifetime, in and for local, state, national, or international communities. This person’s service has positively impacted people and institutions and has significantly contributed to the uplift of the communities in which they have lived or worked. This individual represents UT-Austin in positive ways, and, in line with our university’s core values, this individual has served as a catalyst for positive change in Texas and beyond.