After cracking a few jokes to pass the time, anxious students fidgeting in their chairs prompted Vice President for Student Affairs Ryan Lombardi to get the event underway.
The 30th Annual Leadership Awards Gala was held in Baker University Center Wednesday night Proxy-Connection: keep-alive
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th 42 students and organizations receiving awards or scholarships.
“Tonight is about leadership and tonight we’re reminded that leadership is not just about people, it is about opportunities and how we make the most of those opportunities that come before us,” Lombardi said. “The students we celebrate tonight have fully grasped those opportunities.”
Previous recipiants and university administrators handed out the evening’s awards. About 325 people dressed in formal attire applauded students as they stepped into the spotlight.
“Whether you win one of these awards or not, you are all winners. We are a better university because of what you have done,” said OU President Roderick McDavis. “Through your commitment to maintaining a difference, you have inspired excellence within our community.”
Notable award winners at the event were Kayla Hardimon, winner of the John Newton Templeton Outstanding Senior Leader award, and Keith Wilbur, a sophomore who was named OU’s next student trustee.
Shortly before the event got underway, McDavis spoke to the seniors in the room who are just a month from graduating.
“We have a great university. Ohio University has strong facilities … but the true strength of Ohio University are its people. When you go forth and do great things, Ohio University does great things,” McDavis said. “On your shoulders will rest the reputation of our great university and I know that you will uphold the greatness of those that came before you and I know you will add to the greatness this university is about.”
List of 2013 Gala award winners as they were announced:
Charles J. Ping International Student Leadership Award – Jiuqing Cheng
The Stonewall Leadership Award – Ryan Vollrath
Women’s Issues Leadership Award – Hannah Dunn and Laura Hyde
Blackburn Spencer Achievement Award – Kaila Brown, Tessa Scott and Gabrielle Kisner
Blackburn Spence Achievement Scholarships – Christina Myles, Kamerynn Harrah and Tiarra Comer
Latino Heritage Achievement Award – Natalie Mahomar, Alexandra Taylor, Ivan Velez
Francine Childs Diversity Leadership Award – Brittainy Erby
Edwin L. Kennedy Community Service Award (Student) – Melinda Ruberg
Edwin L. Kennedy Community Service Award (Organization) – Chi Sigma Iota
Outstanding Programming Awards:
- Spring Quarter 2012: Phi Beta Sigma
- Fall Semester 2012: International Student Union
- Spring Semester 2013: Empowering Women of Ohio University
- Late Night: STARS for ‘We’re a Culture, Not a Costume’
The Pepsi Ohio University Campus Leadership Scholarships – Hannah Back, Joshua Frash, Danielle Fultz, Mollie Geske, Jackson Lavelle, Alex Martinez, Daniel D. Mulvey, Jordan Tyner, Cidnye Weimer, Lauretta Werner
Kerrigan Award – Zainab Kandeh
The Ruby Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leadership – Alexandra Slaymaker
Outstanding Graduate Student Awards (Masters) – Tynita White
Outstanding Graduate Student Awards (Doctoral) – Laura Pressley
Outstanding Senior Senior Leaders – Zachary L. George, Drew Hudson, Laura Hyde, Hilary N. Johnson, Thomas McKenzie, Madisen Medley, Danielle Alyse Parker
John Newton Templeton Outstanding Senior Leader – Kayla Hardimon
Student Trustee – Keith Wilbur
dd195710@ohiou.edu
