Brandon Harmon has become a local celebrity at FSU Panama City. Dressed in his signature Florida State jersey, Harmon has been featured on a billboard, a TV commercial and a number of campus publications. He is also a regular attendee at student meetings and campus events.

Now, his legacy of Seminole pride will continue on campus through the Brandon Harmon Seminole Spirit Award, announced May 2 at Student Government Council’s Graduation Awards Banquet. Each year, the recipient will receive a plaque and a $100 scholarship through his namesake award.

SGC representative Christine Hale, who spearheaded the award, said she wanted to recognize Harmon’s love for all things garnet and gold and his contributions to FSU Panama City. Hale created the scholarship fund using money from her own Coram’s Spirit of Service Award.

“I have felt for some time that Brandon needed to be recognized,” Hale said. “I met with (SGC President) Kalab (Hoover), and we discussed creating an award for his style of spirit: 100 percent dedicated fierceness.”

Harmon, a computer engineering major, said the award was a complete surprise.

“The reps from Student Government asked me to attend the graduation awards ceremony, and I thought it was weird because I’m not graduating yet,” he said.

Friends kept the award a secret during the reception, he said, refusing to let him look at a program before his award was announced.

“I was floored,” he said. “I didn’t know all my ideas would have such an impact until I heard Kalab Hoover’s introduction. It was choking me up.”

Harmon has been a student at FSU Panama City and main campus since 2005. Because of a disability, he has a limited schedule. He is involved with SGC, the Black Student Union and the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), assisting with campus activities. He designs posters and fliers for events, and he started a periodic Board Game Night after Summer Bash was threatened with rain.

“Brandon Harmon is all in,” Hale said. “He does not limit his participation to sports or to trivia or to politics; he does it all. … He works well with others and is a sacrificial donor of his time, energy, talents and efforts.” Although Harmon has been a Florida State football fan since “their dynasty in the ’90s,” he said Seminole spirit is more than just cheering a team to victory. It’s also about respecting the Seminole tribe and Florida State traditions.

“If you’ve heard all the news about Native Americans and sports teams, then people might know why we’re so fortunate to have an actual tribe supporting us,” he said.

Most importantly, though, is being active in student organizations and campus activities to promote campus growth, he said.

“I’ve seen this campus grow from a collection of classrooms to an important part of the community,” Harmon said. “I hope now that we’re a four-year university, the freshmen can have more school spirit because they’re going to be the ones to help this campus grow.”

“Research shows that participation in extracurricular activities leads to a more fulfilling college career and more well-rounded students,” Hale said. “Due to the value of participation and the effort required to participate, it is of great importance to recognize exemplary Seminole Spirit.”

SGC’s Scholarship & Awards committee will determine a winner each spring using the following criteria:

• Exemplary school spirit as demonstrated by attending and participating in school events, club activities on and off campus and general love of all things ’Nole.
• Exemplary demonstration of respect toward other students, faculty, staff, etc., and upholding the Garnet & Gold
• Exemplary dedication as a student leader and/or servant follower as demonstrated by consistently contributing to clubs, committees and the community.

Candidates may be nominated by students, faculty or staff before March 1 of each spring.