Ourso Outstanding Eight Award

The E. J. Ourso College of Business is proud to introduce the Ourso Outstanding Eight, an annual award program that celebrates undergraduate excellence. Students selected for this prestigious award will demonstrate success in at least two of the following categories: academics, leadership, professional development, and campus/community service. The Ourso Outstanding Eight will exemplify the college’s commitment to enriching lives through business education and community involvement.

Applications are now closed. Honoree notification is expected before March 1. The Ourso Outstanding Eight will be celebrated at a breakfast to be held on April 10, 2024. 

For questions about the award, please contact experienceourso@lsu.edu. 


Important Application and Program Information

Qualifications & Application 

The Ourso Outstanding Eight is open to business majors who meet the following criteria by December 31, 2023.

  • Be an undergraduate student with a minimum of 45 hours completed.
  • Be fully admitted to the E. J. Ourso College of Business.
  • Have completed at least nine hours of upper-level business coursework.
  • Have a minimum 3.0 overall GPA.
  • Have demonstrated versatility and success in at least two of the following areas at the college level:
    • academics
    • leadership
    • professional development (i.e., professional position, internships, participation in professional development activities)
    • community/campus service
  • Applications must be completed through Blackbaud Award Management (BAM) by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1.

Financial need is not a consideration for this award.

Timeline

2023
December 8 – Nominations close
Students do not have to be nominated to apply for the award.

2024
February 1 at 11:59 p.m. – Application closes
February 28 – Honorees notification expected
March 6-8 – Honoree photoshoots and video interviews
April 10 – Ourso Outstanding Eight celebration event

Publicity and celebration event

Students selected for the Ourso Outstanding Eight will be asked to participate in a publicity campaign and celebratory event.

  • Honorees will be asked to take part in a photoshoot and video interview. Photos and videos will be used on the Ourso College website and social media. They may also be used in other print collateral. Honorees will receive a copy of their headshot for personal use.
  • Honorees will be announced in a press release to be distributed in April 2024.
  • Honorees will be recognized at a celebratory event at the Business Education Complex on April 10, 2024.
  • Honorees will be recognized during their respective graduation ceremonies.
  • An Ourso Outstanding Eight roster will appear on the Ourso College site. Honorees will be listed for at least five years.
  • Honorees may be asked to provide periodic updates following graduation.

Frequently Asked questions

In addition to providing information on activities, career aspirations and a brief statement on how a scholarship award would enhance their opportunities, students will also upload their résumés and provide a statement (250 words max) on how they excel in at least two of the four criteria areas: academics, leadership, professional development, and campus/community service. They will also be allowed to submit a letter of recommendation.

We want students to show their creativity when defining success in these areas. With that stated, here are a few examples for each category. This is not a comprehensive list.

Academics: GPA, undergraduate research, case competitions, Honors College participation
Leadership: Student organization officer, class leader
Professional development: Internships, jobs, mentoring program, job shadowing, event participation, informational interviews completed, and entrepreneurial competitions 
Campus/community service: Student organization leader, volunteerism on campus or in the community

No, this program is only open to students graduating in spring 2024 and after.

Yes, nominations do not replace the application process. Students will be notified of their nomination(s) as they come in. Nominations closed on Friday, December 8.

The college will issue a media release about the award. Honorees will be asked to participate in photo and video shoots, tentatively scheduled for March 6-8. Ourso Outstanding Eight profiles will appear in college communications, including social media, web, and newsletters.

Ourso Outstanding Eight is a one-time honor; successful applicants will not be considered for additional awards. This one-time $2,500 award cannot be retained. 

Students who are not selected may reapply if they meet the criteria in future years.