Awards

The Edwin Eikel
Outstanding Student Award

To the graduate who has best demonstrated those qualities of leadership, patriotism, fortitude, intelligence, courage, humility and the many other sterling traits of character so vividly exemplified by Edwin Eikel during his lifetime.

Edwin Eikel Profile    

Edwin Eikel was born in Dallas, but spent his early years in Sherman, Texas. He graduated from Sherman High School in 1927 and cum laude from the University of Texas in 1931. Following sales and insurance activities for several years, Mr. Eikel joined Intracoastal Towing and Transportation Corporation (ITT) in 1947 as a dispatcher and insurance consultant. He worked in many capacities for ITT and, at the time of his death in October 1977, he was President of the Corporation.   

Mr. Eikel served on many community, state and national boards and commissions, reflecting a broad spectrum of concern. In all his activities, however, two themes of personal philosophy were always evident: a love of the sea, and enthusiastic belief in the capabilities and potential of the youth of this country. The Directors of ITT commemorated these themes through an endowment to establish this prestigious annual award, which includes a cash grant based on the earnings of the endowment.  

The purpose of the Edwin Eikel Outstanding Student Award is to honor the memory of the late Edwin Eikel and to provide public recognition to an outstanding senior student graduating each year from Texas A&M University at Galveston.  The award recipient is that graduating senior who, in addition to leadership capabilities in academic and peer evaluated extracurricular activities, has best displayed those admirable personal traits that characterized Edwin Eikel. The award is presented annually at spring commencement and includes a significant cash stipend and a diploma frame.  The first award was presented in May 1978.

Award Background and Criteria    

Through a gift from the Intra-coastal Towing and Transportation Company of Houston, Texas the Edwin Eikel Outstanding Student Award has been established.

The purpose of this award is to honor the memory of the late Edwin Eikel and to provide public recognition to an outstanding senior student graduating each year from Texas A&M University at Galveston. The recipients of this award will be graduating seniors who are adjudged to have best demonstrated during their undergraduate career at Texas A&M University at Galveston those qualities of leadership, patriotism, fortitude, intelligence, courage, humility and the many other sterling traits of character so vividly exemplified by Edwin Eikel during his lifetime.

The Edwin Eikel Outstanding Student Award will be presented annually at spring commencement beginning with the 1978 commencement. The award will include a significant cash stipend, a diploma frame and the recipient’s name is added to the recognition wall on display in the Seibel Student Services Center.

The recipients of the award will be selected by a special committee appointed annually for this purpose by the CEO of Texas A&M University at Galveston. The membership of this committee will remain secret as will all its activities excepting the selection of a recipient for the award.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for consideration for this award, a student must:

  1. Have displayed to a high degree those admirable personal traits that characterized the late Edwin Eikel.
  2. Rank academically overall in the upper quarter of his or her class and be in academic residence at Texas A&M University at Galveston throughout the senior year.
  3. Have completed not less that one-half of the degree requirements while enrolled at Texas A&M University at Galveston.
  4. Be occupying or have held responsible positions of leadership in the student life of this university, and /or in state or nationally recognized student organizations, or social, church, and /or other similar organizations.
  5. Be a candidate for a baccalaureate degree at the end of a spring semester or during the preceding twelve-month period in which the award is presented.
  6. Have an exemplary conduct record while enrolled in this University.
  7. Have displayed a great love for Texas A&M University and Texas A&M University at Galveston and demonstrated willingness to uphold the principles for which they stand.
Identification And Selection Procedure
Identification And Selection Procedure

Timely identification and proper selection procedures are the most vital parts of this program. The following procedures will be followed:

  1. The following individuals, through an appropriate committee which they will chair, are eligible to submit nominees for the Eikel Award:
    1. Academic Department Heads
    2. Chair, Faculty Advisory Committee
    3. Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs
  2. The above listed shall submit to the President and CEO their nominees for selection as the outstanding senior student no later than March 13, and no further disclosure of the nominations shall be made.
  3. Each nomination will follow the attached form. An appropriate photograph will accompany the nomination form.
  4. After the nominations are submitted, the selection of the recipient will be made by a special committee appointed by the CEO. The name of the recipient will not be disclosed until it is announced at Spring Commencement.
  5. The award will not be made posthumously nor to a student who fails to complete all degree requirements. In either of these eventualities, the highest qualified alternate will be designated as the recipient of this award.
  6. Letters of recommendation from appropriate individuals may be, and should be, solicited, but no more than five such letters should accompany the formal nomination.

 

Award Presentation
Award Presentation

The announcement of the recipient of this award will be made at an appropriate time during the Spring Commencement. A significant cash stipend and a diploma frame will be presented to the winner of this award. Additionally, the recipient’s name is added to the recognition wall on display in the Seibel Student Services Center.

Every effort will be extended on the part of every person connected with this program to make it the outstanding award of its type in the nation.

Edwin Eikel Outstanding Student Award Winners    

2024

Camron Chueca

2023

Bradley Dube - MARR

2022

Maya Sandy - double major graduate in MARB and MARF

2021

Brandon Saldivar - MBAA

2020

Avery Schieck - MARB

2019

Morgan Payne - MARE

2018

Danielle Thompson - MARA

2017

Justin Schwartz - MARE

2016

Alexandra Hersperger - MARA

2015

Taylor Farrell - MARA

2014

Peter Edwards - MARE

2013

Morgan Wilson - MARB

2012

Arielle Carchidi - MAST

2011

Kelli Forde - MARB

2010

Betsey Bremer - MARB

2009

Kimberly Gressier - MARA

 

2008

Katie St. Clair - MARB

2007

Amy Luna - MART

2006

Lauren Guzick - MARA

2005

April Justice - MARA

2004

Emily Douce - MARB

2003

Angela Lefler - MARA

2002

Kristine Hiltunen - MARB

2001

Nicole Cass - MARS

2000

Robert Paterno - MARB

1999

Alex Strogen - MARA

1998

John Michael - MARA

1997

Todd Wolf - MARB

1996

David Houston - MARB

1995

Buren Defee - MARB

1994

Heather A. Madson - MARB

1993

Ashanti Johnson - MARS

 

1992

George E. Engelmann-Rogers - MARE

1991

Amy Michele Baylor - MARS

1990

John E. Cook - MARE

1989

Matthew W. Hahne - MART

1988

Andrew J. Grose - MARB

1987

Weston E. Griffiths - MARE

1986

Keith O. Palmer - MARS

1985

Frank X. Kemery - MART

1984

Deborah Lynn Robinson - MARS

1983

Jonathan B. Fadely - MARS

1982

Frank E. Lee - MART

1981

Michael T. Godinich - MART

1980

Robert M. Hayes - MARE

1979

Charmaine L. Walter - MARS

1978

Wayne R. Stolz - MARS