The purpose of the Ralph C. Wilcox Outstanding Graduate Award is to recognize a graduating senior student who exemplifies the University of South Florida’s qualities of scholarship, leadership, and commitment to service.
Eligibility
- An undergraduate student in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.7 (based on USF courses and transfer courses combined)
- Graduating from USF in the current academic year (Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026)
- Engaged in at least two high-impact practices (independent research, education abroad, service learning, internships)
- Has completed more than half of their undergraduate degree requirements at USF
- Occupies or has held positions of leadership in one or more major student organizations and/or in state or nationally recognized student organizations
- Documented commitment to serving the USF community through philanthropy or volunteer programs
- Demonstrated intent to continue an outstanding record of service and accomplishment, whether through graduate or professional school or a career
Selection Process
- The recipient of the Award will be selected by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (UGS) with the assistance of a committee appointed by the Dean of UGS. No more than one award will be given in any single year.
- All applications will be reviewed for a minimum GPA of 3.7.
- The Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development will review each application and confirm that each applicant is in good standing.
- A review committee established by the Office of Undergraduate Studies will evaluate eligible applications using the award criteria of scholarship, leadership, and commitment to service.
- After all applications have been evaluated, the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (or designee) will determine the finalists for interviews with the selection committee appointed by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
- The selection committee will interview the finalists and recommend an award recipient to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
- The recipient of the award will be selected by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
Application Deadline & Link
Friday, February 6, 2026, 5:00 PM
Interview Date for Finalists
Finalists will be interviewed in person by the selection committee on March 13, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All applicants are advised to hold the date and time on their calendars. Virtual interviews will only be accommodated under extenuating circumstances.
Contact Information
Dr. Tony Delgado
Assistant Dean for Academic Inclusion
Office of Undergraduate Studies
da127@usf.edu
History of Award Recipients
The Outstanding Graduate Award was renamed as the Ralph C. Wilcox Outstanding Graduate Award beginning Spring 2022.
- Mary Babcock, Fall 2015
- Vanisaben Patel, Spring 2016
- Patrick Mullen, Summer 2016
- Stephanie Radu, Fall 2016
- Natalie Soyster, Spring 2017
- Garrett Bowleg, Summer 2017
- Alexis Drees, Fall 2017
- Dakota Becker-Greene, Spring 2018
- Barbora Skopalova, Summer 2018
- Shahriar Zamani, Fall 2018
- Roberto Velasco, Spring 2019
- Andrea Prospect, Summer 2019
- Courtney Landis, Fall 2019
- Keller Blackwell, Spring 2020
- Emma Frank, Summer 2020
- Nandini Agarwal, Fall 2020
- Matthew Gallot-Baker, Spring 2021
- Jessica Senatus, Summer 2021
- Alexander M. Mercier, Spring 2022
- Caitlyn Joy Deam, Spring 2023
- Bethany Jowers, Spring 2024
- Wendi Masis, Spring 2025