Banquet awards students for dedicated efforts on campus
Seniors and student organization leaders were honored at the University of Indianapolis 3rd annual recognition banquet for their leadership and services during the 2009/2010 academic year.
The Random Acts of Kindness Award as well as Student Employee of the Year at the University of Indianapolis and in the state of Indiana went to senior Sarah Huck. Senior Curtis Ward received the top Senior Leadership award.
“This is such an honor to win the top senior leadership award,” Ward said. There are a lot of other students who have done well for this university. This award reflects the efforts and commitment of college mentors, and I am glad to be a recipient.”
Outstanding Student Leader Award went to junior Samantha Searls. Leadership Ambassadors of the Year went to senior Brittany Araki and senior Lamont Hendrix and the Advisor of the Year was Assistant Director of Career Services Libby Davis.
Ward added that the recognition of the efforts of the various student leaders would serve as a motivation for underclassman students.
“The university is doing an amazing job inspiring us like this,” Ward said. “I hope the underclassman students look at this and get involved because service on its own is important, academically and in the amount of experiences one can gain by serving.”
Junior Katie Gainey won the award for General Member of the Year. Outstanding Student Volunteer Award for both Undergraduate and Graduate went to senior Joyce Valentine.
“This university has made me so proud,” Valentine said. “Recognizing my little contribution to service and volunteering makes me want to do this forever. I feel so motivated to continue to do the best I can to serve UIndy and any community I find myself in. I have never felt so proud. Thank you UIndy.”
In the organization category, Program of the Year was awarded to Circle K in collaboration with RHA and Campus Apartments for their event titled: Campus Beautification Project. And the Student Organization of the Year was Circle K.
Senior Caitlin Mannan, president of Circle K, received the award on behalf of the group.
“Receiving this award makes me feel good about being part of an executive board that did an excellent job conducting and planning projects that had an impact on the UIndy community; which is really exciting and am very thankful to be a part of it,” Mannan said.
Mannan also had advice for future students and participants in Circle K, or any student organization.
“My advice to the incoming underclassman students is to get involved and invest yourself and make sure your heart is in everything that you do because at the end it will be worth it,” Mannan said.
Outstanding New Student Organization was awarded to UIndy for Riley. Most Improved Student Organization went to Best Buddies. In accordance with the promotion of diversity at UIndy, Commitment to Diversity Award went to El Dia De Los Muertos, a program by College Program Board.
UIndy Dance Team was also recognized for winning fifth place at the National Competition. The Athletics Commitment to Service award went to the Greyhounds’ women’s basketball.
The event opened with a prayer before an opening remark from the university’s president, Beverly Pitts.
Executive Director of Student Services Dan Stoker and Student Activities Director Jessica Nickoson hosted the event.
The awards were presented by Athletics Director Sue Willey, Director of Community Programs Center Marianna Foulkrod, Admissions Counselor Jolanda Bean, Assistant Director of Career Services Libby Davis and Dean of Students Kory Vitangeli.
The 10 Senior Leadership Awards recipients were Chelsea Anderson, Julie Bates, Ryan Brock, Josh Fisher, Brittany Hudson, Caitlin Mannan, Matt Root, Betsy Semrau, Joyce Valentine and Curtis Ward.
