Program: Student Leadership Recognition Banquet & Award Ceremony - May 2, 2023

Program: Student Leadership Recognition Banquet & Award Ceremony – May 2, 2023

SLRB 2019 - Group of students in beautiful dresses lined up for a photo

5 to 6 p.m.

Social Hour

Enjoy a variety of stationary and passed appetizers, refreshments, cash bar, while listening to relaxing jazz. Pick up your Bridgewater Chocolates, make sure to take a photo with your friends and use the opportunity to get your club picture taken before the event starts.

6 p.m.

Welcome

Destiny Samuel and Raissatou Karim, Emcees

Julie Kushner, State Senator

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.

Claire E. Eastwood, Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants

Julie L. Hoff, WCSU Communication & Marketing

Emily J. Kappel, LPL Financial

Sara Risko, University of Connecticut’s Fairfield County Agricultural Extension Program

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 2023 graduates of the program are:

Kiana Andarowski

Skylar Bartush

Gabriella DeMaro

Molly Farquharson

Patrick Moody

Hela Patel

Lia Reynolds

Faythe Thibodeau

Omayra Vasquez

Orientation Leader of the Year Award

Awarded by the Center for Student Involvement

Presented by: Dennis Leszko, Director

This award is given to an Orientation Leader who has shown exemplary leadership.

John Tamas Memorial Emerging Student Leader Award

Awarded by the Division of Enrollment Management & 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 look at the LCCC displays 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: Mariah Segura, Inter-Residence Hall Association President

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.

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: Charles Wimer, FSL Council Vice 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.

Most Philanthropic Chapter of the Year

This award goes to the Greek organization with the most significant contributions the WCSU and outside community. This organization has done so by committing time, effort and funds into important causes, fighting negative stigmas, and producing change for the better of everyone.

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.

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

Presented by: Daryle Dennis, Assistant Dean of Students

School of Professional Studies – Student Organization of the Year

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

Presented by: Michael Azzi, SGA President

General Interest and Community Service – Student Organization of the Year

Diversity – Student Organization of the Year

Campus REC Awards

Awarded by Campus REC

Presented by: Amy Shanks, Associate Director

Employee of the Year

Given to the employee that is an excellent role model to others, demonstrates exceptional leadership, inspires others to work collaboratively and creatively, has a strong work ethic, professional integrity, great initiative and a great attitude. This student employee also promotes a work environment that is respectful and supportive, and consistently goes above and beyond his/her work duties.

Rookie of the Year

Given to the employee that has shown exceptional work ethic, commitment to Campus REC’s core principles and has demonstrated strong leadership potential (during the first year of employment). This student employee has made great contributions to the department and embodies Recreation.

Event & Conference Management Awards

Awarded by Event & Conference Management

Presented by: Nicole Day, ECM Staff

Customer Service Award

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.

Presented by: Jesse Bambach, ECM Staff

Long Journey Award

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.

Presented by: Jennifer Arigoni, ECM Staff

ECM All-Star

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

Presented by: Vince Diesta, Incoming SGA Director of Student Relations

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.

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.

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.

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.

Outstanding Student Organization

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

Outstanding New Student Organization

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

Presented by: Sorreea Gagnebin, Current and continuing SGA Vice President

Outstanding Representative

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

Outstanding Senator

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

Presented by: Michael Azzi, Current and continuing SGA President

The Fernando & Alice Fernandes Award

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

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.

Student Award of Merit

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

SGA President’s Award

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

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 Kathwari Honors Program

Presented by: Sabrina Marques, Director of the Kathwari Honors Program, Associate Professor of Studio Art

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 Enrollment Management & 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: Raymond Lubus, President, Alumni Association

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 Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Presented by: Jay Murray, Vice President for Enrollment Management & 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. Paul Beran, Interim President of WCSU

A Special Thank You:

Platinum Table Sponsors

Alumni Association
EAP
Event & Conference Management
Kathwari Honors Program
InterCultural Affairs
International Services
Library Services
Recreation
Sodexo

Gold Table Sponsors

Fraternity and Sorority Life
Inter-Residence Hall Association
Program Activities Council
Student Government Association

Other Contributions

Destiny Samuel and Raissatou Karim – for emceeing the event
Events & Conference Management for setting up the photo area
Fraternity & Sorority Life – for sponsoring the gift baskets
Inter-Residence Hall Association – for the Bridgewater Chocolates
SLRB Committee – for putting on this entire event
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 2023 Student Leadership Recognition Banquet Committee (alphabetical by last name):

Michael Azzi, President, Student Government Association

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

Deborah Bisaccia, Head Cheer Coach, Recreation

Jade Carriero, President, Program Activities Council

Walter Cramer, Dean of Students, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Daryle Dennis, Assistant Dean of Students, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Virginia Diaz, Administrative Assistant, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Oni Figueroa, Administrative Assistant, Athletics

Christopher Henson, Residence Hall Director, Housing & Residence Life

Danielle King, Admissions, Cashiers, History

Dennis Leszko, Director, CSI

Lycia Lopez-Torres, Graduate Intern for Programming, CSI

Carly Mengler, Graduate Intern, Student Government Association Advisor

John Murphy, Director, Event & Conference Management and Auxiliary Services

Kathleen Nostrand, CSU Administrative Assistant, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Ellen Ober, Administrative Assistant, AccessAbility Services

Birte Pfitzner, CSU Administrative Assistant, Enrollment Management & Student Affairs

Peter Puccio, Assistant to the Director, Media Services

Mariah Segura, President, Inter-Residence Hall Association

Cory Silver, Event & Conference Coordinator

Charles Wimer, Vice President, Fraternity & Sorority Life Council