21st Annual Summit Awards
April 18, 2023
D.P. Culp Student Center Ballroom
Johnson City, TN
Program Agenda
Welcome ...................................................................................................................Dr. Joe Sherlin
Vice President for Student Life & Enrollment
President and Advisor Recognition........................................ Jeremiah Heyward & Katelyn Haun
Outstanding Advisors
Outstanding Presidents
Unsung Heroes & Shea Keane Peace Builder Award ........................ Ariana Perry & Hunter Jones
Housing and Residence Life Distinguished Service Awards ............................Dr. Adriana Guram
Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life
Student Organization Awards ................................................ Jeremiah Heyward & Katelyn Haun
Most Improved Campus Organization
The One to Watch! 2022
Outstanding Programs and Program of the Year ............................. Ariana Perry & Hunter Jones
Gamma Sigma Alpha Academic Excellence Awards ............................................ Madison Huffine President, Gamma Sigma Alpha
Fraternity/Sorority Leader Awards .............................................................................. Zach Sholes
Coordinator of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Jan Phillips Mentor Awards ....................................................................................... Devin Herzog
2022-2023 President, Sigma Chi Fraternity
Student Government Association Awards ................................................................ Mason Mosier
2021-2023 SGA President
Student Success Champions Cabinet Member of the Year
Justice of the Year Senator of the Year
Tate Obadiah White Award ................................................................................. Dr. Michelle Byrd
Assistant Vice President & Dean of Students
Ronald & Edith J. Carrier Awards
Harold Love Community Service Award ...................................................... Dr. Susan McCracken
Vice Provost for Community Engagement
Citi Leadership Scholarship ............................................................................ CITI Representative
Dorman G. Stout Student Leadership Award ......................................................
Dr. Leah Adinolfi Dean of Student Engagement
Outstanding Fraternity/Sorority of the Year Awards
Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society .................................................... Joy Fulkerson Director Of Leadership And Civic Engagement
Closing .................................................................................................................. Dr. Brian Noland President
2022 Outstanding Student Organization Presidents
Academic Organization President .............................................................................. Chloe Philpot ETSU Creative Writing Society
Faith-Based Organization President ....................................................................Abdussobur Giwa Muslim Students Association
Special Interest Organization President ....................................................................... Jake Berens Student Veterans of America
Service Based Organization President ................................................................. Matthew Rauhuff EMERGE
University-Sponsored Organization President ....................................................... Allison Winters East Tennessean Service Organization Advisor ........................................................................................ Dan Bishop Student Veterans of America
2022 Outstanding Student Organization Advisors
Fraternity/Sorority Advisor ...............................................................................Jaree Abdelmessih Alpha Xi Delta
Special Interest Organization President ................................................................ Dr. Neil Horsley Quillen Surgery Interest Group
University-Sponsored Organization President ........................................................ Nathan Farnor Volunteer ETSU
2022 Unsung Hero Award
This award recognizes undergraduate students for their work “behind the scenes” to provide better programs and encourage active student organization. Unsung Heroes do not hold major leadership positions in student groups, such as president, nor are they yet recognized by Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society.
Katherine Armstrong
Ember Brummitt
Connor Lute
Michael Nicholson
Devin Price
Zane Price
Madelyn Samuel
Natalie Starnes
Frank Walsh
2022 Shae Keane Peacebuilder Award – Yaroslav Hnatusko
This award recognizes individual achievements in peacemaking, leadership, community service and activism. Examples include activities in the areas of civil rights, cross-cultural understanding, economic and social justice, environmental protection as well as activities that help advance peace and human dignity.
Yaroslav Hnatusko, along with his brother, founded “Restore Ukraine” that made a tremendous impact for the people of Ukraine. “Restore Ukraine” served between 3,000-4,000 hot meals daily through their on-ground kitchen. In 2022, they delivered nearly 300 tons of food and 4,500 hygiene kits to Ukrainian residents and families. They distributed 800 tons of building materials for home repairs and rebuilt an additional 40 apartments damaged by shelling.
Most Improved Student Organization of 2022 –
Collegiate Merchandising Association & Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
This award recognizes significant improvement in the overall functioning, visibility and level of activity of student organizations.
The One to Watch! 2022 – Kappa Sigma
This award recognizes a newly formed student organization that has demonstrated extraordinary potential in its first year on campus. Student groups applying for this recognition must have been granted “active” status by the SAO during the 2022 calendar (Jan-Dec) year.
2022 Jan Phillips Mentor Award –Stephanie Cole - Quillen High School Outreach Program
Mentors are an important part of personal and professional development of student leaders. They are guides through times when people need someone who is able to point them in the right direction. Good mentors are enthusiastic people, enjoying the role they play in helping others achieve their goals. This award recognizes an exceptional faculty, staff, alumni or community member who has served in the role of mentor during the 2022 calendar year.
Outstanding Programs and 2022 Program of the Year
Best New Program of the Year ................................... EMERGE Emergency Medical Certification
Hosted by: EMERGE
Outstanding Educational Program ........................................................ASM Regional Conference
Hosted by: American Society for Microbiology
Outstanding Social Program .................................................................................... Karaoke Series
Hosted by: Buctainment
Outstanding Service Program ....................................................................Oxfam Hunger Banquet
Hosted by: Volunteer ETSU
Outstanding Diversity Program .............................................................. Disability Awareness Day
Hosted by: The Rehabilitative Health Sciences Student Organization
2022 Overall Program of the Year.................................................................................... ETSUCon
Hosted by: Steering Committee of ETSUCon
Housing & Residence Life Awards
Rising Star Award
The Department of Housing and Residence Life Rising Star Awards are designed to recognize students who have demonstrated leadership excellence in their early tenure with ETSU and the Department of Housing and Residence Life. Rising Stars have held a leadership position within the Department of Housing and Residence Life and have lived on campus for 2-4 semesters. Student leaders receiving this award are recognized for making an impact in their halls and the campus community.
Distinguished Service Award
The Department of Housing and Residence Life Distinguished Service Awards are designed to recognize distinguished student leadership while serving ETSU and the Department of Housing and Residence Life. Student leaders receiving these awards are recognized for making the difference in and out of their residence halls during their tenure at ETSU. Recipients must have served the ETSU community through multiple student organizations; lived on campus for a three-and-a-half-year period or seven semesters; represented ETSU at one state, regional, or national housing conference; or participated in the Brenda White Wright Emerging Leaders Academy or LeaderShap, or served in a significant leadership role with a campus partner.
Lauren Ledford Carmen Terrell Porsha Farmer Carmen Cathcart Kristina Taylor Brandon YarberPreview and Orientation Leader Awards
2022 Returning Orientation Leader of the Year ............................................................Gray Crum
2022 New Orientation Leader of the Year ...................................................................... Ty Debusk
2022 Orientation Leader of the Year ........................................................................ Katelyn Haun
2022 Unstoppable Award ..................................................................................................Joe Clark
The Hoot and Holler Award .................................................................................... Hunter Inansci
The Above and Beyond Award ................................................................................ Jess Rodriquez
New POLO Leader of the Year ........................................................................................Zane Price
Returning POLO Leader of the Year ..................................................................... Kaci Rae Bartley
Dr. Bonnie Burchett Spirit of POLO Award ....................................................................Ty Debusk
Dr. Sally S. Lee POLO Leader of the Year Award ...................................................... Collin Dorlan
Dr. Melissa Dagley New Orientation Leader of the Year Award ......................... Aidan Townsend
Dr. Jeff Howard POLO Intern of the Year Award .................................................... Bryce Hopkins
Fraternity & Sorority Awards
Gamma Sigma Alpha Academic Excellence Award - Alpha Delta Pi
Gamma Sigma Alpha National Academic Greek Honor Society (GSA) is the premier organization committed to the academic success of sorority and fraternity members and alignment with the academic missions of the host institution. Students are eligible for membership based on grade point average and membership in a Greek fraternity or sorority.
The Gamma Sigma Alpha Academic Excellence Awards recognize the fraternity or sorority with the highest overall membership cumulative GPA from the two semesters prior to the awarding term.
Fraternity & Sorority Leader Awards
Outstanding Sorority New Member of the Year ........................................................ Audra Larson
Alpha Delta Pi
Outstanding Fraternity New Member of the Year ................................................. Quintin Rhodes Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Outstanding Fraternity Man of the Year ................................................................. Trevor Parsons
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Outstanding Sorority Woman of the Year ................................................................ Katelyn Haun
Alpha Delta Pi
Overall Panhellenic President ................................................................................ Rachel Brantley
CPH & Alpha Omicron Pi
Overall Interfraternity Council President ...................................................................Peyton Veers
IFC & Sigma Phi Epsilon
2022 Overall National Pan-Hellenic Council President ............................................ Leo Williams Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Outstanding Overall Fraternity/Sorority
Outstanding Panhellenic Council Chapter ................................................................ Alpha Delta Pi
Outstanding Interfraternity Council Chapter .................................................... Sigma Phi Epsilon
Outstanding National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapter ........................ Alpha Xi Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Student Government Association Awards
The SGA Student Success Champion AwardDr. Brian Noland, Dr. Joe Sherlin, and Dr. Kimberly McCorkle
The SGA Student Success Champion award is given to faculty or staff member who has gone above and beyond to support student leaders in the SGA. Champions are committed to developing students into citizens who will contribute to their campus, their community, and their world. They invest substantial time in the discussion and exploration of ideas. They consider the vision of SGA members and help students navigate toward achieving those goals. In the end, they care, and our campus is a better place because of them.
The Tait Obadiah White Award – Paulina Ramirez
This award is named for and in honor of Tait Obadiah White, who attended ETSU from 2011 to 2012 . Tait was an outstanding student leader and a member of the Student Government Association who passed away unexpectedly of a rare heart condition in October 2012. Each year since 2013, the Student Government Association has selected from its members an individual who emulates Tait’s commitment to servant leadership, someone whose spirit brings happiness to others, someone who gives of themselves, and someone who always helps others through small and simple actions. The award is presented annually and is selected by a vote of all SGA members.
Cabinet Member of the Year Award – Tessa Cavendar
The award is presented annually and is selected by the SGA President.
Associate Justice of the Year Award – Aiden Graybeal
The award is presented annually and is selected by the SGA President.
Senator of the Year Award – Albany Guyer
The award is presented annually and is selected by the SGA President.
The Ronald & Edith Carrier Student Government Leadership Award
Samuel Garcia
Hazlee Kleine
Skylar Brackett
Alex Coker
Dr. Ronald E. Carrier served as president of James Madison University with his wife Edith by his side as First Lady from 1971-1998. Ronald and Edith also served side-by-side years earlier in the Student Government Association at East Tennessee State University. In honor of their experience in student government at the university, Ronald and Edith established this award. The award includes a monetary gift and bronze medal worn on a blue and gold neck ribbon.
Citi Leadership Scholarship Award
Franklin Acosta
Omokheshi Adurodija
The purpose of the Citi Leadership Scholarship is to provide incentive for students to participate in leadership development experiences. Scholarship funds are provided to help students pay to participate in local, national or regional leadership education opportunities. This scholarship is funded in recognition of the ideals of leadership at Citi in Gray, Tennessee and to facilitate the development of future leaders of our society.
Dorman Stout Leadership Endowment Scholarship
Emily Baker
Hailey Story
Dr. Dorman G. Stout Jr. was an icon of student life at ETSU and an alumnus, having graduated as a part of the class of 1952. Stout was the son of the longtime sociology professor for whom Rogers-Stout Hall is named. He served as director of financial aid, assistant to the dean, dean of students, and then as vice president of student affairs until his retirement in 1996. He created this award to recognize outstanding student leadership. The award criteria denote that the student to be recognized will be active in leadership within organizations both on campus and within the community at large. The recipient will demonstrate the leadership traits and character of integrity represented by the life and service of Dr. Stout to East Tennessee State and to humankind.
Omicron Delta Kappa was the first college honor society of a national scope to give recognition and honor for meritorious leadership and service in extracurricular activities and to encourage development of general campus citizenship. ETSU Buccaneers selected for ODK join the ranks of over 300,000 women and men whose peers recognize them as scholars and leaders. They are truly students who leave a significant impact on their university. A total of seven outstanding students will be inducted in 2023.
Omokheshi Adurodija is an International Business and Business Finance major who is the current president of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. He has served as a member of the Swashbucklers Acapella Group, the Bucsworth Choir, and the Emerging Leaders Academy. He has participated and volunteer in many on and on off-campus organizations and events.
Nikolai Armstrong-Watts is an Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Master’s student with a Bachelors in Human services. He has served as the Historian and Public Relations Leader for various organizations such as the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity and the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Organization. He is also currently the Media and Marketing Graduate Assistant for the Student Activities and Organization department
Emily Baker majors in Health Science and Music. She is the Co-founder and Treasure of the Asian American Student Association. She serves as a Buccaneer Involvement Guide, an International Buccaneer Buddy, and an Access ETSU BucMate.
Elayna Chavis is a Health Sciences major with a minor in Culture and Health. She is currently the Volunteer ETSU President and has led new initiatives that has increased leadership opportunities for Volunteer ETSU. She also serves as the Alpha Epsilon Delta Historian and has been the Research Assistant to the Department of Anthropology and Sociology helping with the design and organization of a research project geared toward understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on both international students and students from the community.
Sally Chikomb is a Health Science major and is one of the selected scholars for the Roan Scholars Leadership Program. In 2020, she received the Appalachian Highlands ‘Twenty under 20’ award after leading a fundraiser and school supply drive in her community that supported the Jamaa Letu Boy’s orphanage in Lubumbashi, DRC. She has served as Vice President of membership and recruitment and Leadership Chair for her sorority, Kappa Delta Sorority. And most recently, she has been elected Panhellenic President.
Sadie King is a Rehabilitative Health Science Major. She has served as a POLO leader for the last 3 years, and has held various Student Government Association positions, that include the Secretary of state for 2 years and as a senator. Sadie has also participated in the 2020 class of the Emerging Leaders Academy, which focuses on servant leadership.
Mason Mosier is a dual major in Political Science and Media and Communications. He is a part of the Order of Omega and serves as the community service chair for the Sigma Chi Zeta Omega Fraternity. He is currently serving his second term as Student Government Association President and has served as both a senator and Speaker Pro Tempore. Mason has served ETSU and his community in various leadership roles and has gained numerous academic achievements.
Chloe Philpot is an English major and has served as the President of the Creative Writing Society, has served as Chief Justice and Secretary of State with ETSU Student Government Association. She has been involved with the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature and the founding organizer for TEDx ETSU in 2022 and 2023.
Paulina Ramirez-Machado is a Biology major, and has participated in multiple areas of research, service, and leadership. She is a two-time recipient of the Honor Student Engagement Scholarship and a part of the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is currently the Cardiovascular Research Assistant at the Quillen College of medicine as a lab mentor. And she has also held various positions in the Student Government Association, such as the Executive Vice president and the Vice president of Finance and Administration.
Makenzie Smith is a Rehabilitative Health Science Major. She is an active member in her Sigma Kappa sorority as well as an Expedition leader and TRIO tutor. She also participates in video shoots for the welcome center and is a Multicultural Center student leader.
Cadee Warren majors in Accounting and Finance with a concentration in Real Estate. She is a member of the Phi Beta Lambda club and the Phi Kapp Phi honors society. She is currently serving as the Panhellenic Vice President of Membership. She is a Roan Scholar class of 2024, and was a student representative on the ETSU day of Giving Committee during the 2021-2022 academic year.
Ava Yobst a Health Sciences major. She has been active within the ETSU Campus by holding leadership positions Alpha Lambda Delta Vice President, American Chemical Society Club Vice President and Social Media Chair, and the CURE at ETSU President. She is the Founder and President of the Speech club on campus and most recently lead a TED X ETSU talk on April 3rd. She has assisted in undergraduate student research and internships, and has led various service projects within the community as well as on campus.
“The Summit: A Celebration of Distinguished Student Leaders and Programs” celebrates the superior accomplishments of students outside the classroom. It recognizes student organization presidents and advisors, community service efforts, campus programs, and outstanding student leaders at East Tennessee State University.
Chosen by a committee of students, faculty, and staff, the name of the event — “The Summit” — refers to the attainment of the highest possible level of achievement. It visually invokes an image of the topmost point of a mountain, reaching the pinnacle of success by overcoming many obstacles and challenges along the way.
Congratulations to all Summit Award Recipients!
