Recipients are recognized at the Annual State Awards Convocation for Michigan's public universities. Nominations can be made by any student, faculty member, or staff member. All nominations are reviewed by a selection committee, and the recipient is announced at the Leadership Banquet in April. The student speaker address, five minutes in length, is in addition to the main graduation address. All enrolled NMU students graduating with a baccalaureate degree during the fall or winter semester are eligible to apply.
Information is mailed mid-semester to all graduating seniors.