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| John Heiss (right), of Sigma Chi fraternity, receives the Nikki Woolf Award as the outstanding student volunteer of the year from Dennis Woolf. |
May 23, 2002--More than 360 students were honored at the UD Awards Banquet held May 9 in the Trabant University Center. The dinner and program honored student leaders who have made significant contributions to campus life and to volunteers who have given of their time and talents to help others. Projects ranged from raising money for the New York City Fire Department to working as a mentor to a child.
Volunteer Awards
The campus Volunteer Awards Ceremony included the presentation of the Nikki Woolf Volunteer Award to John K. Heiss, a senior biochemistry major from Honeoye Falls, N.Y.
Established in 1994, the Nikki Woolf Award for Outstanding Student Volunteer of the Year honors the memory of the junior psychology major and active student volunteer who died in a traffic accident in 1993.
Heiss, who has been an unflagging fundraiser for numerous philanthropies both on and off the campus, was this year’s recipient. Through Spirit Ambassadors, he has helped raise money for the March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network and the fight against multiple sclerosis. As Sigma Chi fraternity’s Derby Days chair, Heiss helped his fraternity raise a record amount of money for disaster relief after Sept. 11. He also helped promote the 2002 senior class gift.
Helping where he can, Heiss repaired computers for donation to the elderly, participated in the Solar Decathlon, took part in Newark’s Main Street Clean-up, assisted an elderly couple with yard work and volunteered time at Christiana Care’s hospital’s laboratory.
After his May graduation, Heiss plans to go to University of California at Los Angeles to pursue a doctorate in biochemistry.
Also honored at the May 9 ceremony were two student groups, the University of Delaware Emergency Care Unit and V.O.I.C.E. (Volunteer Opportunities in Community Events).
The Emergency Care Unit, led by president Eric MaryEa, is a volunteer unit of University student members that provides 24-hour/7-day-per-week emergency medical service to the UD campus and surrounding area. All members must go through a class to become a nationally registered EMT basic everyday medical technician.
On average, UDECU’s members devote a combined 1,400 hours per month to take an average of 40 calls. During the past two semesters, UDECU has provided 350 persons with volunteer services. The unit, which has been active for 25 years, is in service whenever UD is in session.
V.O.I.C.E. is the student group founded by the late Ms. Woolf and her fellow psychology majors more than 10 years ago. The group, led by president Mary Scalise, enables students to provide socialization with chronic schizophrenic patients, as well as patients with other mental disorders at the Delaware Psychiatric Center.
The group visits the center each Thursday, spending the day interacting with patients, offering support, friendship and fun. Both students and patients benefit, as the students learn about the application of theory to the real world.
Marianne Green, assistant director at the MBNA Career Services Center who helped coordinate the awards events, said, “I was pleased to see that so many UD students are making volunteer community service an important part of their college lives. Studies show that volunteering in high school and college starts the ball rolling toward a lifetime of volunteerism. I'm very proud of these young people.”
Leadership Awards
The work of student groups and Greek organizations requires the active involvement of hundreds of student leaders who help plan, organize and conduct programs that benefit the entire campus community. Members of these registered student organizations and fraternities and sororities also were recognized in a number of categories, including:
• Registered Student Organizations (RSO) Awards
RSO advisers honored for their work with student groups included Jack Lynn, Public Safety investigator with the UD Emergency Care Unit; Burnaby Munson, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, with the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates; and Eric Norman, coordinator in the Student Centers, with the Greek councils.
Groups recognized in the RSO Community Service Program include Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress (DUSC), Student Center Programming Advisory Board and Golden Key Honor Society for “Night to Unite”; DUSC for “Late Night Dining”; HOLA for its “Youth Empowerment Task Force”; the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Student Union for “Friday Nite Live” and “Transgender Awareness Week”; the Students in the Public Interest, College Democrats, College Republicans, Young Americans for Freedom and Students for Sensible Drug Policy for “Politically Incorrect II”; and the Cultural Programming Advisory Board for “Foam Dance Party.”
Students in the Public Interest was named the best New Student Group.
Two organizations—the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Student Union and Snowboarding Club--were spotlighted for the best RSO Web Site Award.
Three students were named outstanding RSO treasurers. Melissa Austin, a senior finance major from Old Bridge, N.J., of the Cultural Programming Advisory Board; Allison Olszewski, a biochemistry major from Kennett Square, Pa., with the American Chemical Society Student Affiliates; and Mickael Pollard, a finance major from Stamford, Conn., with the Resident Student Association.
RSO student leaders honored for their work include: Michael Bhanos, president of the Snowboarding Club, a senior communication major from Towson, Md.; Corinne Bria of DUSC, a senior liberal arts major from Reading, Pa; Michelle Guobadia, a member of DUSC, the Student Center Allocation Board and Zetal Phi Beta, a parks and recreation major from Deer Park, N.Y.; Lauren Leonard, student officer of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, a senior engineering major from Wilmington; Anna-Kristi Morffi, president of HOLA, a senior political science major from Allentown, Pa.; and Cara Spiro, vice president of DUSC, a senior marketing major from Middletown, N.Y.
• Fraternity and Sorority Awards
Gabrielle Pearlberg, of Alpha Epsilon Phi, a senior hotel restaurant and institutional management major from Newark, was named Greek Woman of the Year; and David Conner of Theta Chi, a junior leadership and consumer economics major from Huntington Station, N.Y., was named Greek Man of the Year.
Alpha Sigma Alpha and Phi Sigma Kappa were recognized for their Outstanding Web Sites.
Delta Sigma Theta and Phi Sigma Kappa were presented the Alumni/ae Relations Award.
Community Relations Awards were given to Kappa Delta and Theta Chi for multiple programs.
Scholarship Programming Awards were given to Kappa Alpha Theta for its “A-Box/SkippyJar/Smart Cookies” program and to Theta Chi for it “Tutoring/Study Hours.”
Honors for University Relations were presented to Kappa Delta and Phi Sigma Kappa.
Sharon Richardson, alumni adviser for Alpha Xi Kappa, was named best Chapter Adviser.
Cultural Programming honors were given to Phi Sigma Kappa for its work on the Louis Redding University Lecture and Special Olympics; and to Zeta Phi Beta for its work with the “Finer Womanhood Observance” and “And She Survived” programs.
Alpha Chi Omega was recognized for its excellent Non-Alcoholic Programming.
The Grossman Award, recognizing outstanding campus leaders, was presented to Bria of DUSC; Morffi of HOLA; and Josh Templet, of the Student Center Allocation Board and Students in the Public Interest, a senior political science major from Elkton, Md.
Reflecting on the event that spotlighted student commitment, volunteerism and initiative, Marilyn Prime, director of the Student Centers, said, “Over 350 student leaders from across campus participated in the Leadership Awards Reception to recognize excellent programming and outstanding leadership efforts. Sport clubs, fraternities, sororities and registered student organizations joined together to honor both individual leadership success and group achievement. Teamwork and collaborative efforts dominated this year's achievements in light of the tragic events of Sept. 11. There is no doubt that UD spirit is present in the broad array of activities and programs these volunteer organizations provide both the University and the community.”
Story by Elisa Franco
Photo by Duane Perry
May 23, 2002
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