In 1996 Missouri State University hosted the first ever Student Talent and Recognition (STAR) Awards Ceremony. Each year the STAR Awards ceremony honors roughly twenty-five outstanding student leaders and student organizations which have been nominated by various organizations, students, faculty, and staff. Since its beginning, STAR Awards has recognized roughly 350 students, organizations, and advisors at Missouri State.
On average, 150 applications are submitted to the Office of Student Engagement each year and nominations are taken from faculty, staff, students, and student organizations. 
The 2017 STAR Awards took place on April 24th in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom. Nominees and guests were treated to a lovely meal provided by Missouri State Dining Services. It was an evening of glitz and glamour, full of excitement as the winners were announced. We would like to congratulation all the nominees and winners!
| 2017 STAR Awards Winner List | |
| Award | Winner |
| Public Affairs Commitment Award | Inter-Fraternity Council |
| First Generation Student Award | Luke Wiesboeck |
| Excellence in Service Learning | McKinsey Wiltermuth |
| Dr. Earle Doman Student Commitment Award | Gloria Galanes |
| Sarah Bickel Leadership Scholarship | Summer Holmes |
| Outstanding Student Employee | Zoe Pixler |
| Outstanding Organization Advisor | Darren Wienberg |
| Outstanding Freshman | Abdillahi Dirie |
| Outstanding Sophomore | Caitlin Schaefer |
| Outstanding Transfer Student | Linda Stainback |
| Outstanding Student Leader | Brianna Duda |
| Outstanding Collaborative Program | Chinese Students and Scholars Association |
| Outstanding Diversity/Multicultural Program | Association of International Students |
| Outstanding Philanthropic Program | Up ’til Dawn |
| Outstanding Service/Volunteer Program | Gamma Sigma Sigma |
| Outstanding Junior | Noah Hendel |
| Outstanding Senior | Jessen Miller |
| Outstanding Graduate Student | Shadeed Khan |
| Outstanding Non-Traditional Student | Kim Swearingen |
| Living Our Values Award | Evan Grosch |
| Outstanding Social/Entertainment Program | Chinese Students and Scholars Association |
| Outstanding Academic/Educational Program | Alpha Delta Pi |
| Outstanding Diversity Development Program | Association of International Students |
| Outstanding Leadership/Membership Development Program | Sigma Kappa |
| Most Improved Organization | Sigma Tau Gamma |
| Outstanding New Organization | Alpha Omicron Pi |
| Mark of Distinction | Sigma Phi Epsilon |
| Distinguished Merit Award – 1 | Bear Breaks |
| Distinguished Merit Award – 2 | Residence Hall Association |
| Distinguished Merit Award – 3 | Phi Gamma Delta |
| Distinguished Merit Award – 4 | Student Activities Council |
| Distinguished Merit Award – 5 | University Ambassadors |