How to apply
The application period for the 2023 awards is open from Monday, February 13 to Sunday, March 12, 2023.
All completed packets must be submitted no later than 6:00 pm., March 12, 2023 to dawn.kingdon@austin.utexas.edu
Pickle Award Application Packet and Pal Make a Difference Award Application Packet
Nominations
Faculty and staff may nominate a student for one or both awards.
The nomination period for the 2023 awards will open on Monday, February 13 through Friday, March 3.
Pal—Make A Difference Award
The Pal-Make A Difference Award is presented annually to a UT-Austin student whose individual program or initiative has made a significant contribution to campus life or the broader community.
2022’s recipient of the Pal award is Dayton Thompson. Dayton is a 2022 graduate majoring in Plan II Honors, a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum. The committee that selected Dayton to receive the award expressed how they thought the award was made specifically for him.
The committee was also impressed with his creation of the Walker Fellowship program that focuses on mentoring students and inspiring them to engage with their communities. Additionally, his therapeutic work with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wounded combat veterans is highly commendable.
Many look forward to seeing Dayton’s upcoming journalism piece featuring wounded veterans and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The Pal—Make a Difference Award is an endowed award, established in 2006 by University Unions Advisory Council member Jaspreet Singh Pal (BBA ’95) to encourage university leadership and public service. It is presented annually to a student at UT Austin whose individual program or initiative has made a significant contribution to campus life or the broader community.
The recipient will be awarded $1,500 and a certificate.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Current enrollment at The University of Texas at Austin
- Submission of a completed application by the March 12, 2023, 6:00 pm deadline.
The application consists of:
- Candidate information form
- Personal statement describing a specific program or initiative that benefited UT campus life or the broader community
- One letter of recommendation from a University of Texas faculty, staff or fellow student
- The application packet is available here.
J. J. "Jake" Pickle Citizenship Award
The J.J. "Jake" Pickle Citizenship Award is presented annually to a UT-Austin student whose cumulative and notable contributions to campus life exemplify the high standards of leadership and service that were the hallmarks of the life and career of Congressman Jake Pickle.
2022’s recipient of the Pickle award is Isaac James. Isaac is a 2022 graduate with Plan II/Government.
On their selection of Isaac, the committee noted his passion, professionalism, trail-blazing capacity and leadership in community service activities. During his time at UT-Austin, Isaac served as Vice President of the UT Senate of College Councils, Director of the Queer and Trans Student Alliance, Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Undergraduate Law Journal, Chief Justice of the Student Government Supreme Court, an Orientation Advisor, a member of the Election Supervisory Board, and a member of Texas Blazers and the Friar Society. Isaac said these organizations and involvements shaped him into someone who seeks to amplify the voices and experiences of those who are the most marginalized.
The J. J. "Jake" Pickle Citizenship Award is an endowed student award created by the University Unions Advisory Council in 1999. It is presented annually to a student at UT Austin whose cumulative, notable contributions to campus life over a period of time exemplify the high standards of leadership and service that were the hallmarks of the life and career of Congressman J. J. "Jake" Pickle.
The recipient will be awarded $5,000, a certificate, and an autographed copy of Congressman Pickle’s autobiography, Jake.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Good academic standing
- Current enrollment as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student (exception: full-time status is not a requirement for graduating seniors)
- Submission of a completed application by the March 12, 2023, 6:00 pm deadline.
(Note: scholarship and academic performance are not considered beyond good academic standing)
The application consists of:
- One-page personal statement that highlights UT campus involvement and leadership activities, and describes organization and club memberships
- Candidate information form (enclosed in application packet)
- Résumé
- Two letters of recommendation
- 750-word essay on a specified topic (see application for details)
- The application packet is available here.