Candidates for the departmental award are selected on the basis of GPA, commitment to the department, and service to the university and the community.

Sulfridge was also inducted into the J.T. Vallandingham Honor Society on Honors Day. In order to be eligible for membership, a student must have completed at least 96 semester hours as a full-time student and have a 3.5 standing or better each semester. The student must have a cumulative standing of 3.7 or better. Students who have transferred to the University have a different set of rules depending on G.P.A. and number of hours taken at UC.

Sulfridge is a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, he has served as a staff reporter for the Corbin Times-Tribune and has worked with community organizations and law enforcement agencies to combat drug abuse. He also recently received national recognition for his role in the federal investigation of a drug trafficking organization.

His plans for after graduation include the pursuit of a Masters degree in Justice Administration or attend law school.

He is the son of Julie Waldroup-Sexton and Olen Sulfridge.