Dallas Redbud Awards

The Tradition of the TWU Redbud Awards

Each year, Texas Woman’s University celebrates the accomplishments of outstanding student leaders and the faculty and staff who support them. This university-wide tradition, known as “The Redbud Awards Festival,” began as part of an annual event held during TWU’s Homecoming festivities on the Denton Campus, and was expanded to include an event specifically for the Dallas campus in 2011.

Redbud nominations are open late January through February. The annual celebration takes place each April on the Dallas campus.

Redbud History Transcript (pdf)

Outstanding Student Leader

This category recognizes students who demonstrate leadership inside and outside of the classroom by participation in student groups, professional organizations, and community service while balancing a rigorous academic program. Depending on the number of nominations received by each program, up to one student from each program represented on the Dallas campus may be selected. Self-nominations are permitted.

Outstanding Student Organization or Group

This category recognizes any university sanctioned, registered student organization, or other recognized group of students on the Dallas Campus that has made a significant contribution through community service or campus programming. One organization per year will be selected for this recognition. Depending on the nomination pool, award may not be given every year. Self-nominations are permitted, but advisor endorsements will be strongly considered in this category.

Outstanding Faculty/Instructor

This category recognizes faculty and instructors who are champions of student leadership development through mentoring, advising in student groups, and encouraging participation in professional organizations and community service. Depending on the number of nominations, 1-3 faculty members can be recognized. Self-nominations are permitted.

Outstanding Staff

This category recognizes any staff member on the Dallas Campus who goes above and beyond the call of duty to support students and create a sense of community among students, faculty, and staff on campus. One person a year will be selected for this recognition. Depending on the nomination pool, award may not be given every year. Self-nominations are permitted.

Campus Leader with a Heart Award

This category recognizes currently employed TWU faculty and staff members on the Dallas campus, as well as currently enrolled students who exemplify the concept of servant leadership. This individual became a leader as a way to serve others, has impacted their campus community behind the scenes, and/or at the forefront of initiatives – always leading with the welfare of others in mind. This person also understands the importance of others, puts the needs of others first, and helps people develop & perform optimally in order to bring about positive social change. Often an “unsung hero”, but whose leadership made a lasting impact on those around them and on the institution as a whole.

Distinguished Service to the Division of Student Life

This individual is to be recognized for their service and leadership to the Division of Student Life. The person exemplifies a commitment to the University and to the Division of Student Life and provides leadership and or service to all students at TWU. This individual maintains an example of excellence and strives to provide the best opportunities and service to the students of TWU.

How does the selection process work?

After nominations are received, the nominees are contacted and asked to complete a bio form and fill in additional details about themselves. A committee of students, faculty, and staff representative of the Dallas Campus is assembled to review the nominations and bio forms. Committee members score nominees using a rubric and then rank them. Committee members will not see the names of the nominees, and will be asked to review nominations from outside their own department. A non-voting committee member is assigned to the task of compiling scores and rankings to determine the finalist in each category and/or department. Only after all scoring is complete are the finalists matched to their bio information to determine who in each category and/or department is selected. The finalists (Redbud Award Recipients) are not announced until the awards ceremony.

Page last updated 8:02 AM, March 29, 2024