11:00 a.m., May 20, 2003--UD students and representatives from various Registered Student Organizations, Greek life and sports clubs received the star treatment Thursday evening, May 15, at “An Evening Among the Stars,” a reception honoring excellence in leadership for the University and the surrounding community.

Michelle Guobadia, HNS 2003, was the most recognized student leader of the evening, taking home an armful of YoUDee statuettes for herself and organizations she represents.

Attendees of the annual Leadership Awards Ceremony, dressed in their best formal attire, entered the transformed Trabant University Center’s Multipurpose Room through a large cutout gold star by way of a red carpet. Once inside, light-studded cityscape decorations and gold stars lining the floor, reminiscent of the famous Mann’s Chinese theatre in Hollywood, set the mood for a glitzy evening in honor of UD’s student leaders. YoUDee was there, too, looking debonair in a tuxedo.

The event proceeded in a similar fashion to the Academy Awards ceremony, but instead of winning Oscars, nominees received the coveted YoUDee, a statuette of the mascot mounted on a wood base with an engraved brass plaque. The award is a new addition to the Leadership Awards Ceremony and the highest leadership award that recognizes student organizations and their leaders.

Students and organizations were nominated in April, either through self-nomination or by others. A committee of administrators and students from the Solar Council, an advisory group representing various Registered Student Organizations and Chartered Greek Organizations, then narrowed the pool down to several finalists. Finalists received a certificate and winners took home the YoUDee award.

And the winners are . . .

• The Grossman Memorial Award was established by the Class of 1963 in remembrance of their classmates, Judy and Bill Grossman. Each year a junior or senior undergraduate is honored for outstanding contributions to campus-wide co-curricular programs, as well as a high quality of leadership and organizational ability in helping plan and present programs. This year’s winner was Michelle Guobadia, HNS 2003.
• The Nikki Woolf Volunteer of the Year Award was established to honor the memory of UD student Nikki Woolf, who lost her life in an automobile accident in 1994. Dennis Woolf, Nikki’s father, created the award in remembrance of his daughter’s commitment to community service. Ms. Woolf was instrumental in the establishment of VOICE, a group of psychology students who mentor patients at the Delaware Psychiatric Center. Mr. Woolf presented this year’s award to Samantha Abramson, HNS 2004, who received a plaque.
• Outstanding Advisers are nominated based on their commitment and devotion to mentoring and caring for students. Harry Shipman, Annie Jump Cannon Professor of Astronomy, won in the sports club category for precision skating, Lou Hirsh, senior associate director of admissions, won in the Registered Student Organization (RSO) category for his work with E-52 Student Theatre and Eric Norman, assistant director of student centers, won in the Greek category, for his work with Greek Council.
• Best New RSO was chosen for its strong presence on campus, despite being established for less than two years. This year’s winner was Men Against Rape Society (MARS).
• Outstanding Community Service awards went to two organizations. Sigma Chi was the Greek winner in this category for its Derby Days event, and Circle K was the RSO winner for its dedication to Emmaus House.
• Best Web Site awards went to three groups. Kappa Sigma took the award in the Greek category, the Y-Chromes won in the RSO category and the Sailing Club prevailed in the sports club category.
• Women’s Leadership Certificates recognize students who completed a leadership series that required a three-hour commitment every Sunday for four weeks. Topics covered included public speaking and gender differences. Angela Alexander, BE 2003, Tiffany Allman, AS 2003, Angela Benner, AG 2004, Jennifer Coslow, HP 2003, Nicole Decesare, AS 2004, Laura Devenney, HNS 2004, Quynh Duong, BE 2004, Janene Fonda, EG 2003, Ashita Gehlot, BE 2003, Sara Geiger, AS 2004, Ratika Gupta, AS 2005, Caroline Hunter, HNS 2003, Jennifer Kling, BE 2004, Melissa Pierre, AS 2003, Amanda Salazar, AS 2005, Heather Saum. AS 2005, and Erin Zoranski, AS 2003, were recognized.
• Outstanding Student Treasurer awards went to two students, who were nominated based on their skills in keeping treasury books and maintaining treasury files. Hilary Goldman, EG 2003, won in the RSO category, and Tara Lafferty, HP 2003, won in the sports club category.
• Outstanding Greek Scholarship Program award recognizes the Greek chapter that best promotes academic achievement by way of awards and incentives. This year’s winner was Zeta Phi Beta.
• Greek Chapter Grade Point Average awards honor Greek chapters that maintain the highest overall GPAs. This year’s winning fraternity was Pi Kappa Alpha and the winning sorority was Alpha Kappa Alpha.
• Best Late Night Program award recognizes a student group that holds an outstanding program beyond or after midnight. Criteria include a good turnout and marketing the program effectively to the UD community. Lambda Pi Chi won in the Greek category, and the Delaware Undergraduate Student Congress won in the RSO category.
• Outstanding Diversity Program awards honor organizations that educate the campus community about diversity issues, including, but not limited to, gender, race, culture, religion, handicap and sexual orientation. Alpha Kappa Alpha won in the Greek category, and HOLA won in the RSO category.
• Outstanding Cosponsor award was given to seven Greek sororities—Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, Delta Sigma Theta, Gamma Sigma Sigma, Lambda Kappa Beta, Sigma Kappa and Phi Sigma Sigma for cosponsoring Breast Cancer Awareness Week and to the Resident Student Association and Hospitality Club for cosponsoring the Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society.
• Overall Achievement or Program award is the highest honor a student organization can achieve. Organizations are nominated for following their mission statements with excellent programs, activities, services or for doing what they do exceedingly well. Alpha Sigma Alpha won in the Greek category for revitalizing the chapter, the National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars won in the RSO category for revitalizing the group, and Women’s Club Soccer won in the sports club category for overall excellence.
• Blood Drive Awards went to three student groups for their efforts in campus blood drives to bring in the most donors. The winners were Kappa Sigma, Gamma Sigma Sigma and the Delaware Consumer Interest Council.
• Outstanding Student Leader awards went to five students for their excellence in providing leadership to their organizations and the University community. Alex Funk, AS 2003, won for best fraternity leader, Michelle Guobadia, HNS 2003, won for best sorority leader, Samuel Wightman, HP 2003, won for best male RSO leader, Julissa Gutierrez, AS 2004, won for best female RSO leader, and Melissa Humphrey, HNS 2003, won for best sports leader.

Article by Amie Voith, AS 2003
Photos by Duane Perry