Annual Leadership Awards ceremony takes new shape
This year鈥檚 Leadership Awards looked a bit different than years past, but the achievements and contributions of 91探花 students were honored with gusto. The virtual event was hosted by the Division of Student Affairs and the Division of Diversity and Inclusion.
Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Jenny Hall-Jones emceed the program, noting the altered environment.
鈥淯sually, we cap attendees at 500 maximum, since that is the Baker Center Ballroom鈥檚 capacity. But we are not bound by those limitations tonight. For our awardees this means more family and friends are able to share this moment with you. This means that we will be able to see the faces and hear the voices of our individual awardees 鈥 something time usually doesn鈥檛 allow us to do.鈥
The first series of awards were presented by Dr. Gigi Secuban, vice president for the Division of Diversity and Inclusion. Secuban acknowledged the number of challenges students have faced this past year and commended student leaders鈥 commitment to diversity and allyship.
鈥淭hank you for reaching out to each other to offer support and solidarity,鈥 Secuban said. 鈥淭hank you for carrying the heavy mantle of leadership through this critical time. Thank you to those allies who have recognized their own shortcomings and worked to be better bystanders and engaged citizens. The world is better because of you, and we are lucky to have you at OHIO.鈥
Each of the 17 award categories was introduced by a video that provided background for the award and those who contributed to it. The awards recognize students and student organizational leadership that showed commitment creating the best experience possible for Bobcats during an unpredictable year. The theme, Make OHIO Strong, represents the adaptability and resiliency of students to quickly pivot programming, mentorship, jobs and relationships to fit the ever-changing environment.
鈥淭hese students didn't just stand at the front of the pack and claim recognition, they were in the trenches. They fought for equality, addressed food insecurity and advocated for their communities at the highest levels to bring about change,鈥 said Hailee Tavoian, director of strategic student communications and co-chair for the Leadership Awards Committee. 鈥淚 am always impressed by the honorees celebrated at the Leadership Awards, but this group is truly the best of the best.鈥
Molly Davis, a community and public health major, was the recipient of the Eyes of Freedom Award. Davis shared that 鈥渢his university has given me so many opportunities to be who I am and to grow as a leader鈥 and expressed her gratitude for the many organizations she has gotten to be a part of including Student Senate and Sorority and Fraternity Life.
Sedric Granger was one of the recipients of the Martha Jane Hunley Blackburn/Donald A. Spencer Achievement Award. Granger, a journalism news and information major, shared how he has made OHIO strong through his involvement as a first-year student which 鈥渁llowed me to be able to connect with a lot of people on campus ... and gave me the connections to be able to take part in the anti-racism efforts in Athens.鈥
Through these efforts, Granger was able to explain how students and community members can better serve as allies. Granger said though it was difficult to get involved as his first semester was virtual, he did not let the online environment stop him from finding organizations to join and forging new networks.
University President Dr. M. Duane Nellis closed out the evening with the final awardees as well as the announcement of the student trustee, who is the only student member of the 91探花 Board of Trustees. Nellis praised OHIO students for all that they were still able to achieve this year.
鈥淎ll of us at 91探花 feel a deep connection to this singular institution and to our fellow Bobcats,鈥 Nellis said. 鈥淭hat connection is a crucial part of what it means to be a Bobcat, and it is true whether we are meeting in person or online. The distance between us does not define our connection.鈥
A complete list of winners can be found on the Leadership Awards Gala website as well as below.
2020-21 Leadership Awards Gala Recipients:
Arnold Allyship Award
Wendy-Marie Martin
Martha Jane Hunley Blackburn/Donald A. Spencer Achievement Award
Jennifer Ayarkwa
Nia Dumas
Sedric Granger
Maya Meade
Andrew Williams
Charles J. Ping International Leadership Award
Majed Zailaee
Laura Ndoigo
Edwin L. Kennedy Leadership Award for Outstanding Community Service
International Student Task Force
Julianna Yates
Eyes of Freedom Scholarship
Molly Davis
Francine Childs Diversity Leadership Award
Betty Miller
John Newton Templeton Outstanding Senior Leader Award
Jalen Warren
Kerrigan Family Scholarship
Caylah Awls
Latino Heritage Achievement Award
Daniela Grijalva
Isabel Alvarez
Analee Davis
LGBT Center Student Hart Award
Gabriela Grijalva
Andy Figueroa
Outstanding Graduate Student Leader
Faustina Mensah
Amal Shimir
Outstanding Programming
Humanism in Medicine Club
Ebony Minds
Alpha Phi Alpha
Outstanding Senior Leader Award
Farah Chidiac
Allison Shryock
Suzy Aftabizadeh
Taylor Bradshaw
Rudy Leadership Award
Faith Laughlin
Stonewall Leadership Award
Luvina Cooley
Gene Dockery
ALLIES
Student Affairs Academic Excellence
Tyra Huxley
Jordan Schmitt
Jacob Levin
Student Affairs Excellence in the Workplace
Cassidy Dummitt
Brooke Klopfenstein
Samuel Carryer
Women's Issues Leadership Award
Lexi Jones