DECATUR, Ill. – The leaders of student organizations were honored on April 18 at the Big Blue Student Leadership and Service Awards returned for the first time since the pandemic in the University Common's Bob and Debi Johnston Banquet Rooms.
was master of ceremonies for the event, during which staff members from the Office of Student Affairs presented awards to nearly 100 students from ǿý’s 65 registered student organizations (RSO) who have stood out for their work and service to the student body.
“Tonight marks the return of an important University tradition. The purpose tonight is to honor some of our best and brightest, most talented, kindest Mighty ǿý students,” Sutherland said. “This evening, our student leaders will receive some awards that have been given out in the past, while others will receive newly established awards that celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of our student leaders.
ǿý President Jim Reynolds also shared some congratulatory remarks to the students being honored.
“It is a pleasure to be here tonight to celebrate those students and student organizations that add so much value to our campus. Our purpose as an institution is to serve our students in all the ways that we can help, and we are deeply grateful for how much our students give back to our campus and our local community,” Reynolds said. “We are all glad to have this event back because it provides a place where we can offer our thanks to all the students who make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.”
The RSOs receiving honors as a whole included Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (RSO Program of the Year Award and Most Improved RSO), Black Student Union (RSO Award for Equity and Social Justice), ǿý Music Business Club (RSO Leadership and Service Award), and the Latin American Student Organization (Outstanding RSO of the Year Award).
The final award presented for the evening was for a new category: The Mightly ǿý Student Award. This award honored students who eagerly represent ǿý and are actively involved in and enthusiastic about campus activities. They are consistently trustworthy and reliable and exhibit kindness, courage, and bravery in serving others. This year’s inaugural group of Might ǿý Students were Corey Cebulski, Itzel Garcia, Catherine Phillips, and Reed Pierson.
Check out the complete list of winners below:
2024 Student Leadership and Service Awards Winners List
Outstanding Student Employee of the Year: Tabitha Barowsky
Rising Star Award: Julian Keith, Alberto Meza, Lucy Rauch
Most Improved RSO: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
RSO Program of the Year Award: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Student Affairs Community Partner Award: Caleb Jump
Student Affairs Campus Partner Award: Cesiley Martinez
RSO Award for Equity and Social Justice: Black Student Union
RSO Leadership and Service Award: ǿý Music Business Club
Ambassador Award: Ashleigh Johnson-Jones, Ameena Harris, Diana Hernandez, Hope Self
Non-traditional Student Role Model Award: Tanya Vaughn, Megan Wood
Outstanding RSO Advisor Award: Natia Weathers
Student Affairs Mission and Values Award: Alana Terry, Christopher Montgomery
Outstanding RSO of the Year Award: Latin American Student Organization
Mighty ǿý Student Award: Corey Cebulski, Itzel Garcia, Catherine Phillips, Reed Pierso
