The Office of Student Engagement, Leadership, and Fraternity & Sorority Life, the Center for Community Engagement, and the Alumni Association presented Sycamore Leadership Awards Sunday, April 7.
Individual Awards:
Freshman Leadership Award: Awarded to two students each academic year, this award recognizes freshman students (0-31 credit hours and/or in their first year of college) who have obtained a cumulative 3.0-grade point average, are in good standing with the university, have made a significant impact on the campus and community and demonstrated their leadership abilities by serving as a positive role model to fellow students. The selected winners of this award demonstrate a commitment to STATE and the surrounding area through acts of community service throughout their time at the University and indicate how they have worked to promote one or more of the values of the university (diversity, scholarship, equity, inclusion, excellence). The student leaders selected for this award have enhanced the Indiana State University community by demonstrating excellent leadership skills.
Winners: Kyler Sapp, Katie Tabling, Luke Tesmer, Carly O’Dell
Sophomore Leadership Award: Awarded to two students each academic year, this award recognizes sophomore students (32-62 credit hours and/or in their second year of college) who have obtained a cumulative 3.0-grade point average, are in good standing with the university, have made a significant impact on the campus and community and demonstrated their leadership abilities by serving as a positive role model to fellow students. The selected winners of this award demonstrate a commitment to STATE and the surrounding area through acts of community service throughout their time at the University and indicate how they have worked to promote one or more of the values of the university (diversity, scholarship, equity, inclusion, excellence). The student leaders selected for this award have enhanced by the Indiana State University community by demonstrating excellent leadership skills.
Winners: Kaylee Prewitt and Evan Clark
Richard G. Landini Outstanding Junior Award: Named after the 8th president of Indiana State University, the Richard G. Landini Outstanding Junior Award is presented to two junior students (63-93 credit hours) each academic year. This award recognizes eligible students who have obtained a cumulative 3.0-grade point average, are in good standing with the university, have made a significant impact on the campus and community, and have demonstrated their leadership abilities by serving as positive role models to fellow students. Award recipients show the desire and commitment to improving ISU and continue to live up to the ideals and values of Indiana State University. Their demonstration of commitment to STATE and the surrounding community along with leadership abilities have made a positive impact on fellow students.
Winners: Jaxson Zeis, Nick Bement, Grace Longyear, Stazia Kieffaber, and Jillian Turner
Alan C. Rankin Distinguished Senior Award: Named after the 7th president of Indiana State University, the Alan C. Rankin Distinguished Senior Award recognizes outstanding men and women of the senior class who have contributed to the betterment of Indiana State. Indiana State students with a 3.0-grade point average and more than 94 credit hours are eligible. Award recipients demonstrate leadership on campus and in community organizations. They show the desire and commitment to improving ISU and continue to live up to the ideals and values of Indiana State University. Their demonstration of commitment to STATE and the surrounding community along with leadership abilities have made a positive impact on fellow students.
Winners: Coby Clark, Julia Sonntag, and Jonnishea Bennett
Graduate Leadership Award: Awarded to two students each academic year, this award recognizes graduate students who have obtained a cumulative 3.0-grade point average, are in good standing with the university, have made a significant impact on the campus and community and demonstrated their leadership abilities by serving as a positive role model to fellow students. The selected winners of this award demonstrate a commitment to STATE and the surrounding area through acts of community service throughout their time at the University and indicate how they have worked to promote one or more of the values of the university (diversity, scholarship, equity, inclusion, excellence). The student leaders selected for this award have enhanced the Indiana State University community by demonstrating excellent leadership skills.
Winner: Angela Pohlen and Ebenezer Boakye
Student Organization Advisor of the Year: The Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award recognizes two Indiana State University employees who are committed to the overall success of a student organization by providing exceptional service, devotion, and leadership to their organization, University, and community. The recipients of this award recognize the importance of student organizations and the experiential learning outcomes students can gain from being involved as student leaders. The Student Organization Advisor of the Year understands the potential for the student organization in which they are involved with and helps the students enhance their work by dedicating their time and leadership abilities to the organization’s overall mission.
Winner: Christina Cantrell
J.D. Miller Distinguished Service Award: The J.D. Miller Distinguished Service Award has established in memory of a proud Sycamore servant leader. His dedication to making an impact on campus, the community, and the lives of others has left a lasting imprint at Indiana State University. The J.D. Miller Distinguished Service Award is presented to a student organization member in a leadership role, who has led the organization and is committed to service. The recipient of this award must be in good academic standing. The student should not only demonstrate commitment, participation, and service to students, the University community, and the organization but also positively influence the community and/or organization. Also, the student must promote one or more of the values of the University (diversity, scholarship, equity, inclusion, excellence) to either a campus entity or community partner.
Winner: Grace Longyear
Outstanding Student Organization Leader/Member: The Outstanding Student Organization Leader award recognizes two students who have demonstrated exemplary service, commitment, and strong leadership to a student organization at Indiana State University. The recipients of this award possess leadership qualities that help advance a student organization’s vision and mission, motivate the group to succeed, and exemplify integrity in all words and actions. The student leaders who are selected for the Outstanding Student Organization Leader Award have enhanced other students’ leadership abilities by recognizing their strengths and how they can advance the student organization.
Winner: Gabriel Brown
Organizational Awards
Collaborative Program of the Year is presented to a program in which two or more student organizations partnered to present an exceptional program and as a result, got more students involved and connected to the University. The program selected for this award provided opportunities for students to learn about themselves and others. Students from all participating organizations took the primary role in planning, promoting, implementing, and evaluating the program and as a result, created a sense of community and school spirit. The program was well-organized
Winner: Honors Council, State Dance Marathon, Student Government Association, and Student Philanthropy Organization
Cultural Program of the Year is presented to a student organization that improved the campus climate by presenting a program or programming series of lasting impacts that created an understanding of different cultures and provided opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges. Students took the primary role in planning, promoting, implementing, and evaluating the program and as a result, created a sense of community and school spirit. The program was well-attended and organized.
Winner: Pi Kappa Alpha
Emerging Student Organization of the Year is presented to a new student organization, established or reestablished after May of 2023, demonstrating exceptional growth and performance as a group. This organization has implemented events that add value to the Indiana State community and offer students the chance to learn more about themselves and others. The organization is well organized and contributes to a sense of community and school spirit on campus.
Winner: Sisters in Christ
Most Improved Organization is presented to an organization that makes a significant effort to enhance the overall mission of the organization. The award is given to a student organization that has revitalized membership and improved focus on the organization’s mission and internal operations. In the application, the student organization should explain to the selection committee how they have made an effort to create new programs and activities (or improve existing ones) to increase engagement within the organization among the student body. The selected student organization has also displayed how they have established a plan to ensure continued organization growth and sustainability for future Sycamores who will participate in this organization.
Winner: Timmy Global Health
The Service Project of the Year is presented to a student organization that developed and implemented an outstanding service project that improved the quality of life within the campus and/or the greater community. The program selected for this award provided opportunities for students to learn about themselves and others through service. Students took the primary role in planning, promoting, implementing, and evaluating the service program and as a result, created a sense of community and school spirit. The program was well-attended and organized.
Winner: Pi Kappa Alpha
The Treehouse Award is presented to a student organization making excellent use of Treehouse, the online hub for Indiana State University’s student organizations. This organization regularly updates its portal and engages with its members through the features (roster, events, news, documents, forms) offered on the site. The Treehouse Award recipient organization may also utilize extra features offered through the Treehouse such as the gallery and elections. The award-winning organization is an example of online engagement for Indiana State University student organizations
Winner: C.H.I.L.L
Program of the Year is presented to a student organization that implemented an exceptional program and as a result, got more students involved and connected to the University. This program could have been held as an in-person or a virtual event. The program selected for this award provided opportunities for students to learn about themselves and others. Students took the primary role in planning, promoting, implementing, and evaluating the program and as a result, created a sense of community and school spirit. The program was well-organized
Winner: The Forest
Student Organization of the Year is the most prestigious and notable recognition a student organization can receive from the SELF Office at Indiana State University. The organization that receives this award demonstrates outstanding service and leadership to its members and the University community. The selected recipient exhibits consistent flexibility, initiative, creativity, teamwork, persistence, and a willingness to help others. In addition, the student organization demonstrates an effort to engage members from different backgrounds, life experiences, and diverse perspectives. The organization selected exemplifies integrity in all areas of the organization and develops a responsible transition plan for the continued success of the organization
Winner: Student Government Association