Gold Axe Awards
Recognizing outstanding contributions to the NAU community
Each semester, Northern Arizona University recognizes seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the university and community. The award honors those who are committed to excelling in life outside of the classroom through leading student organizations, providing service to the community, involvement in their academic college, and more.
The seniors who are selected for their contributions will receive the prestigious Gold Axe Award. We acknowledge the incredible range of involvement and contributions from students to NAU and their community; however, only 1% of graduating seniors obtain this outstanding award. These awards will be presented at the Gold Axe Award Reception, co-sponsored by the Associated Students of NAU (ASNAU), the Office of Leadership and Engagement, and the Office of Alumni Engagement. In addition to the Gold Axe Award, the NAU President will honor the top applicants with the President’s Prize.
The Gold Axe Award application for Spring 2025 will open on January 3rd!
Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Gold Axe Award Winners and their Educators of Influence
| Last Name | First Name | Academic College | Educator of Influence |
| Astleford | Elizzah | College of Nursing | Garrett Mitchell |
| Bird | Courtney | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Brandie Reiner |
| Booth | Abigail | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Dr. Franklin Vernon |
| Carpenter | Megan | College of Arts & Letters | Brent Levine |
| Cheschilly | Amber | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | JJ Boggs |
| Da Silva | Iliana | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Vidal Mendoza |
| Dalton | Lindsey | College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences | Salvador Lopez |
| Fingerman | Emily | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Dr. Paul Lenze Jr |
| Finkel | Hannah | College of Nursing | Dr. Emily Cope |
| Gallagher | Fiona | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Marissa Griffin |
| Garza | Noah | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Dr. Abby Fisher |
| Green | Castel | College of Arts & Letters | Dr. JMichael Cruz |
| Guerrero | Rachel | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Amy Dryden |
| Huber | Johanna | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Dr. Eyal Bar |
| Kennedy | Maressa | College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences | Dr. Christopher Mayerl |
| Konig | Olivia | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Dr. Russell Pryba |
| Lee | Alex | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Dr. Ann Huffman |
| Leedy | Shealyn | College of Nursing | Garrett Mitchell |
| Loera | Sofia | College of Nursing | Kristie Wright |
| Munios | Khyel | College of Arts & Letters | Dr. Brent Levine |
| Nolan | Bridget | College of Health & Human Services | Dr. Natalie Papini |
| Pena | Janelle | College of Engineering | Dr. Jennifer Lynn Wade |
| Rains | Ashton | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Dr. Christine Arazan |
| Salois | Jaida | College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences | Dr. Bridget Barker |
| Silaghi | Reanne | The W. A. Franke College of Business | Dr. Michelle McAllister |
| Smith | Annalee | College of Social & Behavioral Sciences | Dr. Ann Huffman |
| Tarango | Angel | College of Health & Human Services | Dr. Natalie Papini |
| Tutton | Sara | College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences | Dr. Melissa Schonauer |
| Ung | Colleen | College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences | Dr. Jason Ladner |
| Venezuela | Juliane | College of Nursing | Garrett Mitchell |
FLG Mountain Campus – Gold Axe Committee
| First Name | Last Name | Department |
| Michelle | Gardner | Leadership & Engagement |
| Marissa | Griffin | Leadership & Engagement |
| Nancy | Navarro | Inclusive Excellence |
| Jana | Harper | Alumni Board |
| Destinee | King | Office of Inclusion |
| Angelica | Brady | Leadership & Engagement |
| Azah | Quazh | CARE Center |
| Mira | Petersen | Center for International Education |
| Brandon | Piestewa | Veteran and Military Affairs |
| Erin | Kruse | Center for Service & Volunteerism |
| Sammy | Garrett | Campus Living |
| Sarah | Skillen | Peer Jacks |
| Caroline | Woody | Admissions |
| Shynowah | Bahe | Indigenous Student Success |
| Samantha | Fellhauer | NAU Athletics |
| Analise | Thomas | Academic Success Centers |
| Jodi | Stooksbury | First Generation Programs |
| Nigel | Jones | Health Promotion |
| Salvador | Lopez | Leadership & Engagement |
Statewide & Online – Gold Axe Committee
| First Name | Last Name | Department |
| Taylor | Swenson | Transfer and Online |
| Patty | Diaz | Educational Partnerships |
| Bernadette | Gomez | Enrollment & Student Services |
| Marcy | Hurtado | Enrollment & Student Services – Yuma |
| Mike | Werner | Enrollment & Student Services – GCC |
| Salvador | Lopez | Leadership & Engagement |
Selection Process
Upon submitting a Gold Axe Award application and an active faculty/staff recommendation form, we compile both documents and confirm the applicant’s NAU status, credit hours, and institutional conduct record.
Next, the applications are divided amongst the selection committee, which is comprised of approximately 23 staff across the university. Due to the unique experiences of our STW/ONL students, we have identified staff who work at these campuses to evaluate these applications. They review the applications and recommendation forms fully. Each applicant is reviewed by 3 members of the committee, who score each applicant utilizing a rubric. The scores take into account the quantity and depth of experiences in the application. Scores are submitted, along with a top 5-10 ranking of who the committee member recommends to receive the award.
Finally, the selection committee meets to discuss all applicants and make final selections based on application, recommendation materials, and scores.
[Note: Given the committee members’ strong connection to students, we strive to minimize bias and conflict of interest.]
Applicants are eligible if they submit a graduation application through LOUIE and are expecting to complete their academic program of study for the semester they apply to the Gold Axe Award. While there is no GPA requirement for this award, it may be a factor in the committee’s final decision. If a student is away from campus in their final semester (e.g., internships, student teaching, etc.), they have the option of applying EITHER during their final semester or the previous term (final semester on campus), but not both. The application AND recommendation forms for Spring 2025 will be open on January 3rd! Both forms will be closed on Friday, February 14th, at 5:00 p.m. (AZ Time). Late applications and recommendation forms WILL NOT be accepted or reviewed. If a candidate’s application is missing a recommendation form, the application WILL NOT be considered/evaluated. The selection committee will review all completed applications, and all applicants will be notified of whether they are or are not chosen to receive the award by mid-March 2025. The Gold Axe celebrates seniors who have contributed significantly to life outside of the classroom. Your application reflects all of your accomplishments, contributions, and commitments. Please be detailed in representing your Lumberjack story. The Gold Axe application is available online and meant to be completed in a single session. You will need to have the following prepared before submitting your application: In addition to your application, a Recommendation Form MUST be filled out by an active faculty/staff member of NAU. This is also due by Friday, February 14th, at 5:00 p.m. (AZ Time). It is the applicant’s responsibility to send this form to the active faculty/staff member of their choice and inform them of the deadline. Please note that your recommender doesn’t need to be your appointed educator of influence. Late applications and recommendation forms WILL NOT be accepted or reviewed. If a candidate’s application is missing a recommendation form, the application WILL NOT be considered/evaluated. Once the application and recommendation form are submitted, no edits are allowed to be made by either the applicant or recommender.
Eligibility Accordion Closed
Deadline Accordion Closed
Apply Accordion Closed
Please contact GoldAxe@nau.edu with any questions.