The University of West Georgia rolled out the blue carpet last week, recognizing more than 100 students who have served as leaders on campus this year during the 2018 Student Achievement Awards.
Held each spring, the Student Achievement Awards recognize students and student organizations for their outstanding achievements during the academic year. This event is sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement, Housing and Residence Life, and University Recreation.
Dr. Xavier Whitaker, associate vice president of student life and dean of students, served as emcee of the event, opening the awards ceremony with remarks thanking UWG’s faculty and staff members who’ve supported and led the recognized students this academic year.
“The student leaders we’ve recognized with these awards have completed a lot of amazing, hard work all year long, but I would be remiss to mention the invaluable encouragement, guidance and support of the faculty and staff members who’ve helped them along the way,” Whitaker said.
Recognized students work in a variety of campus organizations, programs and offices, including admissions, housing and residence life, and university recreation. Also awarded were organizations in the sorority and fraternity life program at UWG, including awards for chapters of the year and the President’s Flame award, given to a chapter that demonstrates strong achievements in academics, leadership and service.
Whitaker recognized the numerous offices and programs that support students who participate in activities on campus, saying they contribute to students’ well-being and success on campus.
“We are part of a university community that’s all about fostering and ensuring student success,” Whitaker said. “Our amazing programs help students to meet their educational goals and supports their holistic development. We want to ensure students accomplish more than just surviving their college journey, but really making the most out of their Wolf experience to thrive. These programs are essential to help students navigate pathways to success during college and in life.”
Admissions
• Tour Guide of the Year – Amber Kelly
University Ambassador of the Year – Elizabeth Reese
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Call Center Student Leader of the Year – Aresley Quevedo
• Operations Student Leader of the Year – Sarah Riley
Black Student Alliance
• Golden Brick Award – Yakira Hamilton; Taylor Mason
Career Services
• Student Employee of the Year – Ashley Young
Center for Academic Success
• Outstanding Supplemental Instruction Leader Award for 2018 – Maria Jones
• Outstanding Peer Academic Coach – Brianna Howard
• Outstanding Peer Tutor Award – Mary Leith Turner
• Center for Academic Success Service to the Department Award – Teri Watson
Center for Adult Learners and Veterans
• CALV Career Development Award – Amani Reid; Yasmin Williams; Taylor Williams; and Andrew Young
• CALV Engagement Award – Mariah Medlock; Larissa McPherson; Carlie Morrison; and Danielle Wynn
• CALV Perseverance Awards – Andrew Cobb and Christine Baumgardner
• CALV Undergraduate Research Awards – Dillon McCallister; Alexis Squires; Joshua Harwell; and Henrick Gordon
• CALV Service Awards – Taren Brown; Melanie McLean; Carrie Tarpley; Devante Washington
• CALV Outstanding Academic Achievement Award – 73 recipients
• Adult and Military Friendly Faculty of the Year – Professor Viviene Wood; Dr. Colleen Vasconcellos
Center for Diversity and Inclusion
• Special Recognition Award – Black Student Alliance; College Girls Rock; Lambda Theta Alpha sorority; Latino Cultural Society; Student Government Association
Center for Student Involvement
• Emerging Leaders Program Graduates – Ashley Todd; Cherith Moore; Emani Jones; Jessica Maldonado; Lauren Johnson; Liam Townsend; Logan Andrews; Morgan Padgett; Sage Konans; Sophie Sutcavage; Sydnee Cabrera; Tsion Gedion; Zay Johnson; Tavis White
• New Student Organizations of the Year – Students for Syria; Love Travels
• Student Organization Community Service Award – Love Travels
• Leadership to Go – 70 students
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Student Organization Advisor of the Year – Dr. W. Alan Poe
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Outstanding Student Organization of the Year (Large) – Student Activities Council
• Outstanding Student Organization of the Year (Small) – West Georgia Women in Science
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Dr. Melanie McClellan Distinguished Service Award – Manica Pierette
• Dr. Bruce Lyon Distinguished Student Leader – Scottlin Smith
Fraternity and Sorority Life
• Outstanding Philanthropy – Delta Psi chapter of Kappa Delta
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Picklesimer Commitment to Service Award – Tau Chi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
• Best Educational Programming – Tau Chi chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
• Brotherhood/Sisterhood Unity Award – Georgia Eta chapter of Phi Delta Theta
• Chapters of the Year – Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity; Lamba Theta Phi Latin Fraternity; Phi Beta Sigma
• President’s Flame – Kappa Delta
Housing and Residence Life
• Program of the Year – East Campus Resident Directors for “Have Thanks, Show Thanks, Give Thanks”
• Dawn Vavrik Palmer Advisor of the Year – Hailey Macke
• Staff Team of the Year – Tyus Hall
• Residential Leader of the Year Award – Brittany Horton
• Logan Mills Community Development Award – Nick Spears
• Student Assistant of the Year Award – Khayla Smallwood
Residence Hall Association
• Excellence in Leadership Award – Camrynne Ebanks
Student Activities Council
• SAC Outstanding Director – Rumel Hendry
• SAC Unsung Hero – Tina Riddick
Student Government Association
• Toyal Jackson Making a Difference Award – Rumel Hendry
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Shea Cowart Spirit of West Georgia – Lillian Akridge
UWG Debate
• Rachel Saloom Debater of the Year – Tommy Jordan
University Recreation
• Customer Service Award – Amber Bartram
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Intramural Sports Rookie Official of the Year – Dennis “D.J.” Bandy
• Top Newcomer of the Year: (Event Management) – Kalynne Coates
• Top Newcomer of the Year (Facilities) – Hayden Gross
• Outdoor Leadership Award – David Noe
• Intramural Sports Official of the Year – Pathrience “Nene” Shaw
• UREC Employee of the Year (Facility Management) – Hannah Wilson
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UREC Employee of the Year (Event Management) – Mi’Kal White
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Fitness Employee of the Year – Alliyah Hooten
• Shaping Leaders Award – Stephanie Ganthier
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UREC Marketing Student Leader of the Year – Courtney Sutton
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Emerging Outdoor Leader Award – Langley Brown
• West Georgia Outdoors Mentorship Award – Sydney Shepard
• WeRec Incentive Program Team Recognition – Garnet Gods
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Intramural Sports Male Athlete of the Year – Destin Porche
• Intramural Sports – Female Athlete of the Year – Cathrine McConnell
ZinG!
• ZinG! Seniors – Hannah Elicker; Haley Casola; Robert Moody
CUTLINE: More than 100 students who have served as leaders on campus during this academic year at the University of West Georgia were recognized during the university’s annual 2018 Student Achievement Awards. Held each spring, the awards are sponsored by the Center for Student Involvement, Housing and Residence Life, and University Recreation.
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UWG serves more than 13,500 students from across Georgia, 37 other states and 72 countries. Perennially ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top national university, West Georgia offers 88 fields of study, including business, nursing, education, STEM, social sciences and the arts. It generates a regional economic impact of nearly $520 million and provides a safe, quality and affordable college experience that transforms lives.
