Purple & Old Gold Award

The Purple and Old Gold Award is the highest award given by the University of Northern Iowa. Named after the university colors, the traditional awards were first presented at commencement ceremonies in 1939. Recipients of this honor wear a bronze medal to symbolize their outstanding achievements, are noted in the Commencement Program, and a permanent notation is made on their academic transcript.

Selected nominees must be provided to the Office of the Registrar by April 1 for inclusion in the Commencement Program.

Office of the Registrar

The Purple and Old Gold Award for Meritorious Scholarship

The Purple and Old Gold Award for Meritorious Scholarship is awarded to the top graduating student(s) in each academic discipline who have demonstrated outstanding academic success at the university.

Wilson College of Business
Accounting
Business Teaching
Economics
Finance
Management
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Real Estate
Supply Chain Management
College of Education
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Middle School/Jr. High School Education
Recreation, Tourism & Nonprofit Leadership
College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences
Art
Biology
Chemistry/Biochemistry
Communication Studies
Communicative Sciences & Disorders
Computer Science
Construction Management
Earth Science/Geology/Environmental Science
Electronic Media (Digital Media)
English
Mathematics
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Public Relations
Science Education
Spanish
Applied Engineering
Applied Engineering
TESOL
TESOL/Modern Languages
Theatre
World Religion
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

 

Anthropology
Athletic Training
Criminology
Family Services
Geography
Gerontology
History
Interior Design
Kinesiology
Political Science
Psychology
Public Administration
Public Health
Social Sciences
Social Work
Sociology
Textile & Apparel
Continuing Education & Special Programs
Continuing Education & Special Programs

 

The Office of the Registrar provides a list of the eligible candidates to each of the colleges. To be eligible for consideration, students must:

  • have submitted the Application for Graduation by March 1
  • have earned at least 60-89 undergraduate credits at UNI AND have a UNI cumulative GPA of 3.60
  • OR 90 undergraduate credits at UNI AND a UNI cumulative GPA of 3.50

*Students graduating at the end of the previous fall semester or students that have applied to graduate for the upcoming summer semester are also eligible for consideration for the awards at the spring commencement. 

The Purple and Old Gold Award for Conspicuous Achievement

The Purple and Old Gold Award for Conspicuous Achievements is granted to one graduating student in each of the following extra-curricular fields who has completed an outstanding public performance, show, event, or publicly displayed piece that distinguishes their ability from their peers. Candidates are identified by leaders in identified areas and nominations are given to the Office of the Registrar.

  • Athletics (Men)
  • Athletics (Women)
  • Art
  • Digital Media
  • Forensics
  • Journalism
  • Music
  • Performance Studies
  • Theatre