Program: Student Leadership Recognition Banquet & Award Ceremony - May 6, 2022

Program: Student Leadership Recognition Banquet & Award Ceremony – May 6, 2022

5 to 6 p.m.

Social Hour

Enjoy the delicacies of the charcuterie board and appetizers, refreshments, cash bar, while listening to relaxing jazz. Have fun at the candy bar, photo booth, and use the opportunity to get your club picture taken before the event starts.

6 p.m.

Welcome

Carly Mengler and Patrick Moody. Emcees

Pre-Dinner Award Presentation

opens IMAGE file Hancock Student Leadership Program

The Hancock Student Leadership Program promotes, fosters, and identifies student leaders and develops their ability to inspire, motivate, and influence others after graduation. The program promotes students’ development of a body of practical ethics, good communication skills, compassion and empathy, team and community building, creative problem-solving, goal setting, conflict resolution, independent thinking, and the financial awareness required for sound financial stewardship for the management of budgets.

Donna Cohen, WCSU Dean of Students Office

Abigail Curillo, Raymond James Financial Services Inc., Union Savings Bank

Jacob D’Addario, WCSU Police Department

Isabel Gonillo, City of Danbury Department of Health and Human Services

George Kane, WCSU Finance Offices

Jake Toth, WCSU Finance Offices

Leadership, Compassion and Creativity Certificate Program Graduates

opens IMAGE file The Leadership, Compassion and Creativity Certificate program is a leadership program that provides an opportunity for students to receive a certificate by exploring the values of leadership, compassion & creativity across all Student Affairs disciplines and with people of all communities. This program takes a student’s co-curricular activities, leadership roles and community service hours and combines them into one leadership certificate.

LCCC leaders are those who are innovative and inspire others to find new and diverse ways to solve problems. They lead sympathetically by understanding that all people learn and succeed through different avenues of guidance. At the end of completing the LCCC, students are able to explain how they have become more compassionate and creative leaders; and explain how participation in LCCC has shaped their understanding of leadership.

The 2022 graduates of the program are:

Nicole Day

Ashley Gagliardi

Karla Matos

Sheila Medina

Carly Mengler

John Tamas Memorial Emerging Student Leader

Awarded by the Division of Student Affairs
Presented by: Dr. Walter Cramer, Dean of Students

This award goes to a Freshman or Sophomore who has demonstrated superior leadership capability and potential.

Dinner

Please stay seated until your table is called to the buffet line. You may go to the candy bar or photo booth or take more pictures before the award ceremony starts again. Please stay in your seats during the presentation.

Award Presentation

Inter-Residence Hall Association Awards

The awards are voted upon by the Inter-Residence Hall Association, which represents the residential student body.
Presented by: Eden Edwards-Harris, Resident Director, Grasso Hall

Resident of the Year

This award is given to a member of the residential student body who has served the campus community above and beyond the call of duty. This individual is an outstanding leader and motivator to all students, but particularly the residential students.

Housing and Residence Life Staff Member of the Year – RA

This award is given to a Resident Assistant who has shown extreme dedication to Housing throughout the academic year. Through programming, office work, and showing support for the residents of Western Connecticut State University, the award recipient is being honored for his/her service.

Housing and Residence Life Staff Member of the Year – ARM

This award is given to an Academic Resource Mentor who has shown extreme dedication to Housing throughout the academic year. Through programming, office work, and showing support for the residents of Western Connecticut State University, the award recipient is being honored for his/her service.

Program of the Year

This award is given either to a Hall Council, Resident Assistant, Academic Resource Mentor, or a member of the residential student body who has hosted a program that has best suited the university and the needs of the community.

Hall Council of the Year

This award is given to a Hall Council that has facilitated successful programming, has made an impact on their resident hall, and has ultimately coincided with the Department of Housing and Residence Life’s C.U.L.T.U.R.E. program. The award is voted upon by the Inter-Residence Hall Association, which represents the residential student body.

Program Activities Council Award

Awarded by the Program Activities Council
Presented by: Riley Weaver, PAC President

Outstanding Student Program

This award is presented to a student or group who is deemed to have initiated and executed the program, excluding PAC programs, that had the largest impact on the campus community during the year.

Fraternity and Sorority Life Awards

Awarded by Fraternity and Sorority Life
Presented by: Nicholas Williams-Ambrosio, FSL Council President

New Greek Member of the Year

This award goes to an individual who is new to the Greek community and has made a significant contribution to his/her Greek organization, the Greek Council, and the university. Nominations were solicited from individuals and Greek organizations.

Outstanding Greek Member of the Year

This award goes to the individual who has made a significant contribution to his/her Greek organization, the Greek Council, and the university. Nominations were solicited from individuals and Greek organizations.

Outstanding Greek Letter Organization

This award goes to the organization that has made a significant contribution to the Greek Council, the university, and the greater community.

Highest GPA for a Greek Letter Organization

This award goes to the Greek organization with the highest cumulative grade point average at the end of the previous fall semester.

SLRB Committee Student Organization of the Year Awards

Awarded by the Student Leadership Recognition Banquet (SLRB) Committee
Presented by: John Murphy, Director of Event & Conference Management and Auxiliary Services

Ancell School of Business – Student Organization of the Year

This award is presented to a student organization that has shown outstanding commitment to its organizational goals and program planning, has made an impact on the campus and surrounding community, and the leadership development of its group members.

School of Professional Studies – Student Organization of the Year

Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences – Student Organization of the Year

School of Visual and Performing Arts – Student Organization of the Year

General Interest and Community Service – Student Organization of the Year

Diversity – Student Organization of the Year

Event & Conference Management Awards (new this year)

Awarded by Event & Conference Management

Customer Service Award

Presented by: Cara Byrne and Jazmin Infantas

The Customer Service Award goes to an employee who has demonstrated excellent customer service to all students and WestConn community, has excellent communication skills interacting with many individuals on an everyday basis, and has patience dealing with difficult customers and has strong problem-solving skills when it comes to resolving any issue.

Long Journey Award

Presented by Christine Laedke and Cory Silver

The Long Journey Award goes to an employee who has worked for ECM for 3 consecutive years/6 consecutive semesters, been vital to the success of the department by working in all areas: Centers/ONC/Ives/Midtown, constantly is on time and reliable for multiple shifts, has gone above and beyond what is asked of them, and is a leader and a mentor to other students in the department.

ECM All-Star

Presented by: Cara Byrne and Jazmin Infantas

The ECM All-Star Award goes to an employee who is available for any task needed, takes on responsibility and initiatives on learning new skills, shows excellent leadership to all students of our department, is a versatile worker able to apply themselves in many different manners, and displayed a large variety of skills such as customer service, punctuality, dependency, enthusiasm, and a great work ethic.

Student Government Association Awards

Awarded by the Student Government Association

Presented by: Vince Diesta, SGA Secretary

Macricostas School of Arts and Sciences – Outstanding Faculty Member

This award is given to a faculty member from the Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences for outstanding contribution to WCSU students.

Presented by: Karla Matos, SGA Senator

School of Professional Studies – Outstanding Faculty Member

This award is given to a faculty member from the School of Professional Studies for outstanding contribution to WCSU students.

Presented by: Michael Azzi, Incoming SGA President

Ancell School of Business – Outstanding Faculty Member

This award is given to a faculty member from the Ancell School of Business for outstanding contribution to WCSU students.

Presented by: Donovan Shaw, SGA Vice President of Internal Affairs

School of Visual & Performing Arts – Outstanding Faculty Member

This award is given to a faculty member from the School of Visual & Performing Arts for outstanding contribution to WCSU students.

Presented by: Donovan Shaw, SGA Vice President of Internal Affairs

SGA Vice President’s Equity and Justice Award

Awarded to students who consistently speak up and step up, using their knowledge and spheres of influence to inspire equity and justice from the student body up to administration or beyond. Students do not have to hold any specific position to be eligible for this award.

Awarded by the Student Government Association

Presented by: Ezaan Khan, SGA Parliamentarian

Student Award of Merit

Awarded to a student who has dedicated him/herself to outstanding service to the student body.

Presented by: Ezaan Khan, SGA Parliamentarian

The Fernando & Alice Fernandes Award

Awarded to a member of the classified staff who has made significant contribution to student life.

Presented by: Carly Mengler, SGA Vice President of Student Relations

Award of Merit

Awarded for outstanding service to the entire student body. A non-student member of the WCSU community whose dedication to the students and student life has gone far above and beyond his/her obligations.

Presented by: Carly Mengler, SGA Vice President of Student Relations

Outstanding Student Organization

Awarded to a student organization that has excelled in all areas.

Presented by: Patrick Moody, SGA President

Outstanding Senator

Awarded to a senator in the Student Government Association for outstanding service.

Presented by: Patrick Moody, SGA President

Outstanding Representative

Awarded to a senator in the Student Government Association for outstanding service.

Presented by: Patrick Moody, SGA President

SGA President’s Award

Awarded to a student or other member of the university community who has contributed to helping student organizations on campus.

Presented by: Patrick Moody, SGA President

SGA President’s Award for Outstanding Student Leadership

This award is presented to a student who has displayed outstanding leadership skills and has actively worked toward bettering the community and student life on campus during their time here at Western Connecticut State University.

Jesse Lewis Compassion Award

Awarded by the Center for Compassion, Creativity & Innovation
Presented by: Alexis Koukos, Representative of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation

This award is presented to a student whose compassion (actively helping others to solve or overcome their problems or suffering) knows no bounds. This award is in memory of Jesse Lewis, the 6-year-old Sandy Hook student who saved the lives of 9 other first graders on December 14, 2012.

Community Service Award

Awarded by the Division of Student Affairs
Presented by: Dr. Walter Cramer, Dean of Students.

This award is presented to the club, organization or student that shows exemplary effort to volunteer and serve the community around them.

Outstanding Advisor Award

Awarded by the Center for Student Involvement
Presented by: Dennis Leszko, Director of the Center for Student involvement

Awarded to the Advisor that best promotes the growth potential of student organizations, assists with their maintenance, and stimulates the development of programs that not only enrich the campus but also aid the development of students.

Alumni Association Outstanding Student Leader Award

Awarded by the WCSU Alumni Association
Presented by: Elaine Salem, Lifetime Member of the Alumni Board of Directors

This award is given each year to a student who has exemplified the qualities of a student leader.

Walter B. Bernstein Vice President’s Award for Student Leadership
Awarded by the Division of Student Affairs
Presented by: Dr. Keith Betts, Vice President for Student Affairs

This award is given each year to a student who has shown dedication, passion, and immense effort toward the improvement of Student Life throughout their tenure at WCSU.

Closing Remarks

Dr. Keith Betts, Vice President for Student Affairs

A Special Thank You:

Platinum Table Sponsors

Alumni Association
CHOICES
EAP
Event & Conference Management
Honors Program
Institutional Advancement
InterCultural Affairs
Library Services
Recreation
Sodexo

Gold Table Sponsors

Program Activities Council
Social Work Club
Student Government Association

Other Contributions

Carly Mengler & Patrick Moody – for emceeing the event
Event & Conference Management – for setting up the O’Neill Center
Fraternity & Sorority Life – for sponsoring the gift baskets
Inter-Residence Hall Association – for the candy bars
Jazz Band – Jesse Parker (drums), Malin Carta (alto sax) , Elisee Ngbo (piano), Dawson Bertrand (tenor sax), and Griffin D’Amato (bass)
Program Activities Council – for organizing the photo booth
SLRB Committee – for organizing this entire event
Sodexo – for catering the banquet
Student Government Association – for your sponsorship and support

Last but not least, on behalf of the SLRB Committee, a huge thank you to all of the student leaders who stepped up this year, whether you were recognized with an award or not. The same to all of the advisors to student organizations; all of your hard work is appreciated. And a special thank you to all of the presenters.

Members of the 2022 Student Leadership Recognition Banquet Committee (alphabetical by last name):

Brittanymarie Barber, Residence Hall Director, Housing & Residence Life

Caitie Barry, Graduate Intern for Fraternity and Sorority Life & Leadership, CSI

Walter Cramer, Dean of Students, Student Affairs

Daryle Dennis, Assistant Dean of Students, Student Affairs

Virginia Diaz, Administrative Assistant, Student Affairs

Oni Figueroa, Administrative Assistant, CSI

Danielle King, Admissions, Cashiers, History & World Perspectives

Dennis Leszko, Director, CSI & SGA Advisor

Lycia Lopez-Torres, Graduate Intern for Programming, CSI

Carly Mengler, Vice President, Student Government Association

John Murphy, Director, Event & Conference Management & SGA Advisor

Ellen Ober, Administrative Assistant, AccessAbility Services

Birte Pfitzner, CSU Administrative Assistant, Student Affairs

Peter Puccio, Assistant to the Director, Media Services

Cory Silver, Event & Conference Coordinator

Shivam Soni, President, Inter-Residence Hall Association

Riley E. Weaver, President, Program Activities Council

Nicholas Williams-Ambrosio, President, Panhellenic Council