4:30 p.m., May 14, 2007--It was a night of stars--balloons, centerpieces and wall decorations--but the real stars were members of UD's registered student organizations (RSOs), Greek life and sports clubs at UD's Student Leadership Awards ceremony Thursday evening, May 10, in the Multipurpose Rooms of the Trabant University Center.
Dressed in their finest, more than 300 guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and jazz as a slideshow of this year's events and organizations flashed on stage.
During the awards ceremony, the finalists stood up to applause in each category, and the winners walked across the stage to receive a YoUDee statuette.
Students and organizations were nominated in April, through self-nomination or by others. A committee of administrators and students from the Allocations Board and Solar Council (an advisory group representing various RSOs and chartered Greek organizations) then narrowed the pool to several YoUDee recipients. Honorees each received a certificate, and winners took home the YoUDee awards.
2007 YoUDee award recipients
The Grossman Memorial Award was established by members of the Class of 1963 in memory of their classmates, Judy and Bill Grossman. Each year, a junior or senior is honored for outstanding contributions to campuswide cocurricular programs, as well as high-quality leadership and organizational ability in helping plan and present programs. This year, the recipients were Natalie Gempesaw-Pangan, AS '07, a member of Alpha Xi Delta, for programming UD's first Eating Disorder Awareness Week; and Adam Cianfichi, AS '07, of Phi Sigma Kappa, for his work as an officer in the Interfraternity Council and coordinating UD's Greek Games.
The Bernie Coslar Service Award was established this year in honor of Bernadette Coslar, a service representative in UD's Activities and Programs Office, who died on April 14. Ann Klein, a service representative in the Event Services office of UD's Student Centers until her retirement last year, won the award for returning to UD to work in the Activities and Programs Office.
Blood Drive Awards are given to those groups that have the best turnout for campus blood drives. The Blood Bank of Delmarva recognized UD student organizations for sponsoring blood drives during the 2006-07 academic year, including Chi Omega, for the September drive; Sigma Alpha Mu for the October drive; Resident Student Association (RSA), Kappa Alpha Theta and HOLA for the November Colonial Athletic Association Blood Challenge drive; Phi Kappa Phi and VDay for the February drive; Kappa Sigma for the March drive; Phi Sigma Pi for the April drive; and the Wesley Foundation for the May drive. Kappa Alpha Theta won the Hero award for its yearlong efforts.
Outstanding Advisers are nominated based on their commitment and devotion to mentoring and caring for students. Holly Bryk, chapter alumna adviser, was elected in the Greek category for her work with Alpha Phi; Iris Busch, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures, was elected in the RSO category for Deutscher Klub; and Lesa Griffiths, professor of animal and food sciences and director of UD's Center for International Studies, was elected for her work with UD's Equestrian Club.
Best New RSO is based on an organization's strong presence on campus despite being established for less than two years. This year's YoUDee recipient was the NOW CAN and women's golf.
The Outstanding Greek Scholarship Award recognizes the Greek chapter that best promotes academic achievement with awards and incentives. This year's recipient was Phi Kappa Phi.
Outstanding Community Service Awards went to two organizations. Lambda Chi Alpha earned the award in the Greek category for a food drive for Emmaus House, a Homeward Bound program that addresses homelessness; and Campus Alliance De La Raza earned the award in the RSO category for a voter registration drive.
The 2007 RSO Lecture Award went to Kappa Alpha Psi for Kaveat: Warnings on Kredit Kards in the Greek category; and UD's Student Centers Programming Advisory Board (SCPAB) won in the RSO category for a presentation on eating disorders by the Real World's Paula Meroneck.
The Outstanding Cosponsored Program Award was given to three RSO groups this year. Recipients were HOLA, Hillel and Lambda Pi Chi for Keeping Kosher.
Outstanding Web Site Awards were presented to three groups. Sigma Phi Epsilon took the award in the Greek category, Harrington Theatre Arts Compay (HTAC) earned the award in the RSO category and men's rugby won the sports club honor.
The Outstanding Late Night/Alternative Program Award recognizes a student group that holds an outstanding program that extends beyond or begins after midnight or that organizes an outstanding program that addresses an unusual but critical need. Criteria include a good turnout and marketing the program effectively to the UD community. CPAB won the award in the RSO category for their Welcome Back Party.
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. Kappa Alpha Psi won the award in the Greek category for the Darfur Crisis, and the HOLA won the award in the RSO category for Jose Can Speak.
Overall Program Awards honor organizations that sponsor original, meaningful and educational programs during the year. Alpha Phi and Alpha Kappa Alpha won the award in the Greek category for the Pamper Yourself Pretty program, and NOW CAN won the award in the RSO category for Embracing the Female Orgasm.
The Overall Advertising Award went to the Chinese Cultural Student Association.
The Event Advertising Award went to the StuArt-Peacock Show, an exhibition of undergraduate artwork.
The Greek PR Individual Award went to Julie Sinclair, CHEP '09, for her work with Alpha Phi sorority, and the RSO PR Individual Award went to Ying Chen, BE '08, for his work with the Chinese Cultural Student Association.
The Chapter of the Year award went to Sigma Phi Epsilon.
The Outstanding RSO Treasurer Award goes to a student nominated for his or her skill in keeping treasury books and maintaining treasury files. Beverley Leibowitz, CHEP '07, earned the award for her work as treasurer of the Delaware Repertory Dance Company.
Outstanding Sports Club Treasurer award went to Henry Schoch, BE '08, for his work as treasurer of men's crew.
Outstanding Leader Awards for excellence in providing leadership to their organizations and the University community include Ashleigh Rich, AS '07, Panhellenic Council for Outstanding Greek Female Leader; Mike Russo, AS '07, Greek Council, for Outstanding Greek Male Leader; Kelly Murphy, CHEP '07, of Alpha Xi Delta, for Outstanding Female Chapter Leader; and David Tully, AS '08, of Phi Kappa Phi, for Outstanding Male Chapter Leader.
Jennifer Stitt, AS '08, of RSA, won the Outstanding RSO Female Leader Award, and Michael Husni, AS '07, won the Outstanding RSO Male Leader Award.
The Outstanding Sports Club Female Leader Award went to Dana Olmstead, EG '07, of women's volleyball, and the Outstanding Sports Clubs Male Leader Award went to Michael Vander Valk, BE '08, of men's wrestling.
Article by Julia Parmley, AS '07
Photos by Duane Perry