King's Crown Leadership Awards
The following awards are distributed annually at the King's Crown Leadership Awards dinner at the end of the Spring semester.
Individual students in Columbia College, School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) and General Studies are eligible for King's Crown Leadership Awards. Nominations for individual students and student organizations are encouraged from all members of the Columbia community.
The Selection Committee will determine the awardees based on the information provided in nominations received from the Columbia community and the nominee's suitability as per the predetermined guidelines. Please review our guidelines on the information you should consider when submitting your nomination. Email the committee with any questions you may have.
Individual Student Awards
Four categories of awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the campus community through their leadership in University-recognized student organizations. Students are recognized based on the impact of their leadership as well as the number of years of their contributions in the following categories:
- Gold Crown for leaders with 4 years of service
- Silver Crown for leaders with 3 years of service
- Bronze Crown for leaders with 2 years of service
- Copper Crown for leaders with 1 year or less of service
Horizon Awards
Silver, Bronze, and Copper Crown Horizon Awards are given to students who best exemplify the criteria for their Kings Crown Leadership Award and are most on the brink of transcending that category and reaching the next level of leadership. There is only one Horizon winner selected per award level.
Leadership Legend Awards
Leadership Legend Awards are presented to approximately 5-12 seniors who have met the general qualifications of the Gold Crown Award and have further distinguished themselves in one of the areas described below. These are the highest King's Crown Leadership Award honors.
Leadership Legend Pioneer
As a student leader, the nominee has been instrumental in the creation, revival or rehabilitation of a student organization, a major event or program, and/or student policy.
Leadership Legend Bridge Builder
As a student leader, the nominee has been pivotal in establishing or supporting connections between student groups and/or between student groups and the University administration.
Leadership Legend Indelible Mark
As a student leader, the nominee has in some capacity left an indelible mark on the Columbia community.
Community Builder Award
The Community Builder Award was created in 2009 to recognize a student who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to community building over their four year tenure at the University.
Nominees may have assumed diverse leadership roles that span non-recognized student group participation such as opportunities as resident advisers, athletes, members of spirit organizations, administrative or departmental committees or teams, and/or community service leaders in the New York City environs, to name a few. Affiliations should include organizations of at least 50 individuals with a community building impact.
Student Organization Awards
The following awards honor student organizations and student-led programs that have demonstrated exemplary leadership and have made a significant impact on Columbia’s campus and its surrounding community:
Impact Award
Awarded to those student organizations or programs that have had a significant impact on the campus community.
Alma Mater Award
Awarded to student organizations which best embody the ethic of community building at Columbia.
Intergroup Award
Awarded to student organizations which promote collaboration among the various student organizations and programs.
Promise Award
Awarded to recently recognized as well as established student organizations with the best potential for positive impact upon the Columbia campus community.
Best Program Award
Awarded to the student-led program that has had the most significant impact on the Columbia community in the past year.
Zvi Galil Award for Improvement in Engineering Student Life
A cash prize that honors the engineering-focused student group that most improves engineering student life during the academic year through a commitment to engineering or through integration of engineering with other sectors of the university.