Athena - Promoting an Inclusive and Equitable Climate for Women

Athena Student Excellence Award

The Athena Student Excellence Award aims to support and recognize students at the University of Idaho. The selection is particularly interested in recognizing diverse and underrepresented individuals. Through this award, Athena also intends to recognize and develop individuals who promote access, inclusion and advancement of women through their course of study or co-curricular activities.

Submit a Nomination

The nomination period is closed.
Nominations are sought from the U of I community. Self-nominations are also accepted.
Each submission must include:
- A narrative demonstrating how the nominee meets or exceeds the award criteria (500 word maximum).
- The nominator can add an optional letter of recommendation from another U of I faculty or staff member.
Self-nominees must submit:
- A narrative demonstrating how they meet or exceed the award criteria (500 word maximum); and
- A letter of recommendation from a U of I faculty or staff member.

Selection Criteria

Commitment to promoting access, inclusion, and the advancement of women through their course of study and/or co-curricular activities;
Efforts to advance women personally, professionally, and/or academically; and
Other exceptional qualifications of service in gender equality.

The nominating individual is encouraged to explain how this award could help further the nominee's efforts.

Eligibility

Any current University of Idaho degree-seeking student is eligible for nomination.

Award Details

The award amount will be determined annually and distributed by the U of I Foundation.

Award Ceremony

The recipient will be awarded during the annual Woman of the Year Awards Reception held in April.

2023 Recipient

Laur Freymiller

MFA Candidate, Creative Writing Program

Laur has created a supportive and inclusive community in their classroom, and they have worked to address gender issues in their academic work. Laur purposefully chose texts for their first-year composition courses that provided insight into topics such as gender, identity and the intersectionality of different forms of oppression. Laur is an advocate for giving students a safe space for using their chosen pronouns. This helps to create a safe and welcoming space for students. Additionally, in their work as a Writing Center Tutor, Laur has helped other tutors understand ways to support students who are transitioning or struggling with being misgendered. As a scholar and writer, Laur's work reflects their dedication to gender equity. Their blog posts on coming out to family and deconstructing sexual assault and gender are also noteworthy contributions to conversations related to gender studies.

Laur Freymiller

Past Winners