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Lumberjacks holding up the Gold Axe. Gold Axe Application - Open on August 13th! Gold Axe Recommendation Form - Open on August 13th!

Contact us

Email:
GoldAxe​@nau.edu

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 Fall 2025 will open on Wednesday, August 13th!

 

Congratulations to the Spring 2025 Gold Axe Award Winners and their Educators of Influence

Last Name  First Name Academic College Educator of Influence
Adams Parris The W. A. Franke College of Business Destinee King
Argomaniz Lenora The W. A. Franke College of Business Dr. Chris Drake
Beltran Angel College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Azeret Martinez
Boyd Lopez Qishawn College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Dr. Lauren Pierce
Brewer Breanna The W. A. Franke College of Business Dr. Bridgette Braig
Castillo Tracy The W. A. Franke College of Business Dr. Chris Drake
Cocke Breelyn College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Dr. Radford Mitchell
Criscione Francesca The W. A. Franke College of Business Dr. Chris Drake
Delabarra Emily College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Glenn Hansen
Edwards Maria College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Bonnie Sumner
Ewert Claire College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Amy Hitt
Ford Jayden College of Arts & Letters Dr. Jeffery Brian Downard
Graham Jonah The Steve Sanghi College of Engineering Robert Bruner
Halfacre Haydn College of Arts & Letters  Dr. Luke Maring
Harrell Mya College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Jodi Stooksberry
Hernandez Nicolette College of Nursing Bryce Baker
Hillman Jessica The Steve Sanghi College of Engineering Mark Lamer
Holgate Chiara College of Health & Human Services Dr. Scott Drum
Imohi Joy College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Dr. Jennifer Duis
Jensen Maegan College of Health & Human Services Megan Meyer
Johnson Megan College of Nursing Jill Nelson
Lasch Zoey College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Stephanie Lowrance
Leonard Becky College of Health & Human Services Lisa Lewis
Majzner Kiera College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Dr. Faith Walker
Malito James The W. A. Franke College of Business Dr. James Drake
Mendoza Viviana College of Health & Human Services Vidal Mendoza
Meza Ivan College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Joseph J Ruiz
Nez Melvita College of Health & Human Services Rachael Shapiro
Nieuwenhuis Niah College of Health & Human Services Dr. Benjamin V. Tucker
Ostunio Micah College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Dr. Marija Bekafigo
Quiver Koi The Steve Sanghi College of Engineering Sharon Doctor Singer
Rosenberg Haley College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Dr. James Allen
Roudebush Alyssa College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Dr. Pete Fule
Schrader Max College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Dr. Chrissina Burke
Singh Amritjot College of Nursing Joe Hannon
Solis Daniel The W. A. Franke College of Business Chris Paige
Spencer Ami College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Dr. Melissa Schonauer
Tompkins Cory College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Shawnee Doling-Tye
Torres Michael College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Dr. Rebecca Maniglia
Valerio Conner College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Angie Rios
VanderMeersch Karli College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Glenn Hansen
Vazquez Guillermo College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Jane Gilbert
Viernes Evelyn The W. A. Franke College of Business Nancy Baca
Wicker Alexandra College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences Dr. Michael J. McCarthy
Winters Thomas College of Arts & Letters Tommy Newsom II
Wulbrecht Mason College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Dr. Andrew Dzeguze
Yazzie Caitlin The Steve Sanghi College of Engineering Dr. Ben Dymond

FLG Mountain Campus – Gold Axe Committee

First Name Last Name Department
Katie Hanson ASNAU
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
Emerald Arnold Indigenous Student Success
Samantha Friedbauer 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.]

Eligibility Accordion Closed

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.

Deadline Accordion Closed

The application AND recommendation forms for Fall 2025 will open on Wednesday, August 13th! Both forms will close on Friday, September 19th, 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 recommendation forms, and all applicants will be notified of whether they are or are not chosen to receive the award by mid-October, 2025. All decisions are final! 

Apply Accordion Closed

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:

  • Your basic information (major/college, campus, etc.)
  • Clubs and/or organizations that you actively participated in while at NAU
  • Scholarships, awards, and/or recognitions received while at NAU
  • Involvement and activities within your major’s college/school
  • Activities involving service to others, such as volunteer activities
  • Involvement in other activities (including multicultural events, employment, etc.) both on and off campus
  • Your answer to both of the following essay questions:
    • Describe an accomplishment you have made at NAU that has impacted Lumberjacks.
    • Describe how your involvement journey has contributed to who you are as a person today and/or your NAU college experience.
  • Identify one active faculty/staff member who has had the most influence over your NAU experience, known as Educator of Influence.

NOTE: AI usage is not permitted for the completion of the Gold Axe application. Any hints of AI usage will disqualify the student/application. Also, NAU Marketing will use any information included in a candidate’s application for advertisement and script creation purposes if selected for this award.

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, September 19th, at 5:00 p.m. (AZ Time). It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify the active faculty/staff member of their choice about this form 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.

Please contact GoldAxe@nau.edu with any questions.

Dean of Students
Location
Room 104 Building 30
University Union
1050 S Knoles Dr.
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 6015
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Email
DeanofStudents@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-5181