SU recognizes students and faculty for leadership and service

By Michael Mandigo, Staff Writer

Susquehanna’s annual Student Leadership Awards recognized students, faculty and staff for their leadership and service on April 17 at Trax.   

Over 300 students, faculty and staff nominated by the Susquehanna community for various awards. Majority of the awards went to students, with additional awards going to faculty and staff.  

Nick Spicer, assistant dean of Student Life said he was very excited to be honoring such achievement in the community.   

“We, in Leadership and Engagement and Student Life feel like it is extremely important to recognize all of the good work of our students,” Spicer said.  

Some of the awards presented at the event were the Susquehanna University Leadership Award, Organizational President, Outstanding Contribution to Intercultural Awareness, Leadership in Athletics, LeaderShape award and Greek Member of the Year.  

Junior Dalton Bierly noted what an important event this was to the community.  

“It is important to let the community see leadership,” Bierly said. “It is important to let them see what Susquehanna is about and that it means something.” 

The ceremony itself recognized the various leaders of the Susquehanna community. Individuals and organizations announced were given recognition for their contributions.  

Senior Kyle Kern won the Susquehanna University Leadership award and said it was an honor to be considered as a leader to the Susquehanna community. 

 “I was totally thankful to be nominated for an award and I did not expect to be given any,” Kern said. “All the award recipients deserved it and give so much heart and soul into SU. To be awarded the Susquehanna University Leadership Award is amazing.” 

• Tom Moran, Mimi Diallo, Alyssa Miville and Alyssa Bower were all recognized for  their dedicated work on campus and won Senior of the Year awards.  
• Julia Gagnon, Kelly Weigle, Annie Loeliger and Lindsey Kovac won Junior of the Year awards  for their hard work and leadership.  
• The Sophomore of the Year awards went to Bailee Wenckus, Victoria DiMartino, Israel Collazo-Luciano and Taishiana Tsosie for their roles as leaders within the community.  
• Michelle Arrigo, Ella Moores, Raelyn Lares and Ryan Wilson won Outstanding First-Year awards.  
• Senior Samantha Borkoche won the Organizational President award for her work through WomenSpeak by bringing awareness to certain issues and organizing awareness events. 

• Senior Genovee Dominguez was awarded with Outstanding Contribution to Intercultural Awareness for her work in many clubs and organizations.  
• Seniors Alexa Gonzalez and Seth Callahan won the Leadership in Athletics awards for their dedication to their respective athletic programs. 
• The LeaderShape Award was given to sophomore Caitlyn Miller for her help with school athletics.  

 Lamentations Gospel Choir earned the New Program Initiative award.  

“It is nice to get this kind of recognition since we are new, and it allows us to make a friendly statement,” sophomore Samuel Emmanuel said on behalf of the program.  

• WQSU was recognized as Organization of the Year for bringing music and information to the campus and community. 
• The Campus Garden and Animal Club earned the Anderson Service Organization of the Year award. 
• Sophomore Ben Horine was awarded Askew Student Volunteer of the Year. 

• The Bowling Career in Service Award went to senior Angelina Poole. 
• Sophomore Holly Jones was awarded Greek Excellence in Service for her work representing Greek life.  
• Seniors Nick Trotter and Nicki Hagarty were both awarded with Greek Member of the Year for their contributions to Greek life,  
• Alpha Delta Pi won Greek Excellence in Scholarship for its outstanding academic record.  
• Tau Kappa Epsilon and Phi Mu Alpha won Greek Excellence in Scholarship for their academic excellence.  

• Advisor of the Year – Special presentation to recognize Beth Winger which will now be named in honor of her.  
• Alyson Lawrence, Genovee Dominguez, Breanna Cherry and Christie Kracker were given SGA Awards for their work representing the student body.