The Arkansas Alumni Association is proud to announce that the nomination period for the Class of 2016 Seniors of Significance is now open. In honor of the University's founding date of 1871, 71 outstanding graduating students will be selected. Nominations are currently being accepted from faculty and staff. For the first time, students will also be able to nominate outstanding Seniors that they know on campus.

The Alumni Association is building on more than 50 years of recognizing two seniors with the Senior Honor Citation — the top award for graduating students. Over the past two years, the Alumni Association expanded its recognition program by re-establishing the Razorback Classic tradition by recognizing 10 male and 10 female students in honor of 1910, the year the Razorback became our mascot. In 2015, the final tier of students were added — 71 Seniors of Significance.

Selected students will be recognized at a ceremony and reception on Dec. 3, as well as receive a gold cord to wear at graduation. Additionally, they will be featured in the spring edition of Arkansas, the magazine exclusive to Alumni Association members, as well as in the 2016 Razorback yearbook. Finally, only these 71 Seniors will be the allowed to further apply for the final prestigious awards — the Razorback Classics and Senior Honor Citations — during the spring semester.

Applicants should be seniors who are graduating in December 2015, May 2016 or August 2016. Students will be judged based on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and significant campus or community involvement.

Nominations can be submitted at www.arkansasalumni.org/SOSNomination.

Complete applications should be submitted at www.arkansasalumni.org/SOSApplication. Applications must be submitted by noon Oct. 22. For additional information, please visit www.arkansasalumni.org/studentawards.