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Student Design Competition

WVU students – help us honor the faculty and staff who have made a difference in your college education! Students are invited to design the official 2026 WVU Impact Award medallion, which honors WVU employees who go above and beyond for our University.

The winning design will be featured on custom wooden medallions, which are produced by Bear Wood Company, and presented to WVU Impact Award recipients across the WVU System.

The student whose design is selected will be honored at a WVU basketball game and invited to Talent and Culture’s end-of-year recognition event, where they will be recognized alongside employees.

The submission deadline is Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. The winner will be announced in early November.

Submit Your Design

Eligibility

  • Entrants must be currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time WVU, WVU Tech, or PSC student.
  • We are accepting individual entries only.

Design Guidelines

  • Submissions for the 2026 WVU Impact Award medallion design should artistically reflect the phrase "Let's Go!” and represent who we are as West Virginia University.
  • Entries should incorporate the Flying WV or “WVU” in its original state.
  • The Flying WV must have sufficient protective space around it. Draw a circle or square around the logo and no other graphic elements or verbiage should sit inside that space.
  • The Flying WV should not have any verbiage behind it.
  • Only the non-outlined version of the Flying WV should be used.
  • The Flying WV cannot be altered or distressed.
  • The Flying WV must be showing in full. It should not be covered.
  • The Flying WV must have an (R) mark.
  • If you are using any verbiage that is protected by WVU, you must use the appropriate registration mark – (R) or TM. Please refer to the art sheet for a full list of protected verbiage (upper right corner).
  • Do not use Eers, Neers, or Mounties.

Submission Requirements

  • We will accept and consider original artwork only. AI-generated art will not be considered.
  • Submissions may not include the use of third-party intellectual property.
  • Students may submit a maximum of one submission each.
  • The winning design will be displayed on a wooden medallion that is 3.5 inches in diameter. Colors will not be captured on the medallion.
  • Submissions will be electronic and should include a title and a short artist statement representing the meaning and intent of the piece (150-250 words).
  • File format: PDF (no other formats accepted)
  • File size: Maximum 50 MB
  • Color mode: CMYK
  • Resolution: 300 dpi for best print quality
  • Artboard Dimensions: 8.5" x 11" (design will be adapted to medallion size)
  • File name: LastName_FirstName_Title.pdf

Contest Dates

  • Submissions will be accepted beginning Sept. 15.
  • The submission deadline is Oct. 15 at 5 p.m.
  • The winner will be announced in early November.

Judging

  • Entries will be judged based on creativity and originality, interpretation of the theme, technical execution and quality, and conceptual depth and overall impact.
  • The judging panel includes members of WVU's Recognition Council, administration, faculty, staff, and professional artists.

Prizes and Recognition For Winner

  • Recognition at a WVU basketball game (plus 1);
  • Campus announcement spotlight;
  • Invitation to WVU's annual end-of-year recognition event, where they will be recognized alongside the Outstanding Mountaineer Award recipients;
  • Outstanding Mountaineer Award plaque recognition; and
  • Their design featured on the following year's WVU Impact Award medallion.

Rights and Usage

  • By submitting a design, students grant WVU the right to display and utilize the designs in any manner, including but not limited to exhibitions, publications, websites, and marketing materials.
  • Additionally, the winning logo design becomes the sole property of WVU. By entering this competition, the artists agree to transfer and assign all copyright and ownership rights in the winning design to WVU.

Disqualification

  • Entries may be disqualified for plagiarism or use of third-party intellectual property without permission, incomplete submission, or violation of the theme or rules.

Code of Conduct

  • All participants must adhere to community standards and WVU’s rules, policies, and procedures.
  • Offensive, discriminatory, or violent content is prohibited and will be disqualified.

Questions and Support

  • WVU’s Division of Talent and Culture is responsible for the management of the WVU Impact Award program, in conjunction with the University’s Recognition Council. Please direct any program-related questions to TalentAndCulture@mail.wvu.edu.