The first award ceremony, recognizing students' semester work, was held in the spring of 1997 and featured the honorable Nancy P. Hollister, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Ohio. More than 950 students were presented with god, silver, or green level certificates.

Following that, other speakers were Archie Griffin, Dr. Kathryn Dwyer Sullivan, former astronaut and director, COSI Jim Grote, CEO of Donatos' and OSU coach Jim Tressel.

The first awards breakfast was held in January, 2001 and is now an established event.