Golden "N" Awards

Annually, current students are encouraged to recognize outstanding MSUN faculty and staff with the "Golden N" award. Any current student may submit a nomination for a faculty or staff member who has supported and contributed to their experience at Montana State University-Northern. ASMSUN Student Senate reviews the nominations and selects the winners. The "Golden N" is considered the most prestigious award an MSU-Northern faculty or staff member can receive because the nominations and selections come from students.

Below are the criteria.

1. Nominees must be a faculty or non-student staff member of MSU-Northern
2. Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to adding a long-term positive experience 
3. Nominees must not have previously received this award.

In 2024, Student Senate created 3 distinct "Golden N" awards:

• The Excellence in Education Award recognizes a faculty member who has made significant contributions to student success in their role as an educator by exhibiting a commitment to teaching, a passion and enthusiasm for their subject matter, and by maintaining rigorous academic standards and demonstrating a genuine concern for students’ learning.
• The Name & Story Award recognizes a staff or faculty member who has made significant contributions to student success through relationship building, exhibiting care for students, helping students feel welcomed and respected, increasing students' sense of belonging, supporting students' well-being, and helping students build connections on campus and in the greater community.
• The Inspirational Educator Award recognizes a staff or faculty member who has made significant contributions to student success by stimulating learning through teaching, advising, mentoring &/or counseling students, modeling a commitment and passion for learning -both in and out of the classroom, and demonstrating an engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students for lifelong learning.