UNI’s 2023 Student Leadership Awards recipients

Office Of Student Involvement

Editor’s Note

On April 11, 2023 University of Northern Iowa Student Involement hosted the Student Leadership awards.

Panther Pantry Awards:

Student Organizations: National Residence Hall

Honorary

UNI Supports of the Army

UNI ROTC

Student Volunteers:

Sierra Mathison

Northern Iowa Student Government Above and Beyond Awards

These awards are given by students to recognize faculty and staff for their commitment to student development and success. Two awards were given out, one focusing on student learning and the other on student success.

Student Learning Award:

Sarina Chen

Student Success Award:

Lisa Jepsen

UNI C.A.R.E. Award

Awards are intended for UNI students, faculty, staff, organizations or programs that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to create a positive impact through sustainability at UNI or in the local community.

Brittany Costello

Raquel Zehr Geography Club

Dr. Sue Follon Scholarship

This scholarship recognizes students for their leadership contributions during their tenure at UNI and potential to model leadership for women.

Savanna Jemilo

Boots to Books Scholarship

Boots to Books is a program designed to help veterans transition to civilian life and the college environment. Although many military and veteran students are eligible for G.I. benefits, more than half of them are still in need of financial assistance. In an effort to support the educational endeavors of our military and veteran students, the Boots to Books scholarship was created by Military and Veterans Student Services.

Michael Linde

Madison Pleggenkuhle

Caroline Linde

Hannah Kendall

Drake Martin Gold Star Award

The Drake Martin Gold Star Award is the highest individual student honor in the residence system at the University of Northern Iowa. It is named in memory of Drake Martin. Martin worked at the University of Northern Iowa for 31 years. He brought creativity, compassion and enthusiasm to projects and initiatives that had a positive impact on students. His greatest influence over time was through individual interactions that challenged, affirmed and encouraged others. In all he did, Martin exemplified the qualities of those who are recognized with the Gold Star Award.

Megan Carlson

AJ Hudspeth

Bailey Leitner

Kylie Rink

Desirae Shelton

Tienna Trettin

Lanie Weber

Newman Civic Fellow Award

The Newman Civic Fellowship is awarded to an inspiring group of community-committed students who are already making an impact in communities where they live, learn and serve. One University of Northern Iowa student was selected to represent the institution among the 290 community-committed students representing Campus Compact member colleges and universities.

Lexi Gause

Mental Health Ally Award

The UNI Counseling Center, with the support of the Northern Iowa Student Government, is seeking nominations for the first annual Mental Health Ally Award. Individuals, programs, organizations or departments that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to mental health advocacy were nom- inated.

Active Minds

Krista Zimmer

Emerging Philanthropist

The Emerging Philanthropist Award recognizes a student who is dedicated to giving their time, talent, and treasure to the university, their community or cause(s) of their choice and shows promise as a future philanthropic leader.

Emily Clouser

Promising Young Alumni

Award

The Promising Young Alumni Award recognizes one or more seniors who demonstrate qualities desired of engaged alumni. A Promising Young Alumnus demonstrates their potential as a future alumni leader for the UNI community through their commitment to service, leadership, and pride while enrolled.

Caleb Gehle

Hanna Kendall

Rising Global Star Leader Award

The Rising Global Star Leader Award is for students in any stage of their education and has made significant contributions to their department, unit, institution, organization, community, and the field of international education. The Rising Star will have demonstrated a commitment to internationalization and ingenuity of thought that has the potential to have a substantial and lasting influence on global education.

Gracie Touvelle Ava Deitrich

Award for Excellence in International Engagement

This can be awarded to UNI students, faculty, staff or Cedar Valley community members. The nominees should be committed to promoting global understanding, research and advocating for international exchange locally and globally. They should be an active participant with international students/scholars/dependents in the UNI community.

David Glenn-Burns

Christine Schrage

Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award

This award is designed to recognize a student organization advisor who has excelled and exemplified outstanding service, dedication and leadership to the organization they advise.

Olivia Umbaugh

Paul Lee

Most Promising New Leader in a Student Organization Award

This award is designed to recognize a member in a student organization that has demonstrated emerging leadership in the organization, a commitment to developing their leadership ability, and has exceeded the expectations of the membership of the organization.

Ayanna Reckman

Ryan Connolly

Greek 360 Award

This award is intended to recognize a member of the UNI Fraternity & Sorority Life community who also is an outstanding member of other student organizations on campus.

Cassie Williams

Emma Pellegrino

Outstanding Officer in a Student Organization Award

This award recognizes a student organization officer who provides exemplary service, commitment and strong leadership to their student organization and UNI.

Samantha Hilbert

Lizbeth Garcia

Payton Ahrenstorff

Outstanding President in a Student Organization Award

This award recognizes a student organization president who has played a major role in the development and execution of their student organization.

Heidi Bantz

JuanDaniel Lopez

Student Organization Program of Distinction Award

This award is designed to recognize significant achievements by student organizations in the planning and implementation of programs, either a one-time event or a series of events marketed as a single program.

Dragaganza 2022

Student Organization of the Year Award

This award is designed to recognize a student organization that has exemplified excellence among its peers by contributing to the UNI community and fulfilling the mission of the organization.

Transfer Advocacy and Involvement Group

The Northern Iowan Diversity Matters Award

The Diversity Matters Award is presented in recognition of dedication and service to the University of Northern Iowa in advancement of its diversity-related goals.

African Student Union

Azra Papakee

Dr. Charlotte West ScholarAthlete Award

The Missouri Valley Conference will present the Dr. Charlotte West Award annually, to one female and one male student-athlete who have completed intercollegiate eligibility in their primary sport, to recognize outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, service and leadership.

Student Leadership Awards

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Nominees from UNI will be recognized at the Student Leadership Awards.

Carly Spies

Kyle Biscoglia

Outstanding Student Leader Award

The Outstanding Student Leader Award is designed to recognize students who have demonstrated dedication and leadership through their involvement in one or more campus activities.

Jeremy Charles

Parker Daniels

Luigi Lopez

Trevor Meyers

Abby Riley

Yessenia Rodriguez

Servant Leadership Award

The Servant Leadership Award recognizes those who have worked for the common good while putting the needs of others first.

Samantha Adams Maria Gamon

Marisa Jepsen

Lexi Gause

Mackenzie Kielty

Juandaniel Lopez

Samantha Robinson

Anna Stevens

Lux Service Award

The Lux Service Award is the most prestigious award given to graduating senior students each academic year to acknowledge the culmination of their overall involvement. Recipients consistently go above and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy upon graduation.

Nixson Benitez

Esha Jayswal

Leila Masinovic

LIBRERÍA continued from page 1

El plan actual es sacar una solicitud de propuestas (RFP, por sus siglas en inglés) para mayo, lo que permitiría a diferentes vendedores presentar sus propuestas para la operación de la librería. Una vez que se haya identificado un comprador, la universidad espera completar la transición para la primavera del 2024.

UNI originalmente pagó casi 3 millones de dólares en 2018 para adquirir la librería, anteriormente llamada University Book and Supply Aunque la universidad ya no gestionará la tienda, Moris dijo que hacer que los libros de texto sean económicos sigue siendo una prioridad.

“A medida que nuestro equipo realmente lo evaluó aquí, se hizo más y más evidente que volver a un operador externo realmente podría dar la mejor opor- tunidad para mantener o incluso mejorar el nivel de precios y la oferta de servicios que aspiramos a proveer para nuestros estudiantes y profesores”, dijo él.

Operar a través de un tercero ha sido una tendencia creciente para las librerías universitarias. Follet Higher Education Group es el operador de tiendas universitarias más grande de América del Norte, gestionando más de 1 200 librerías locales. Follet actualmente gestiona Bulldog Shop en Drake University , junto con las tiendas Hawk Shop y University Bookstore en la Universidad de Iowa. La asociación con Hawk Shop entró en vigor en abril del 2021.

Otro negocio clave es Barnes & Noble College, que gestiona tiendas en 11 universidades de Iowa, incluyendo Hawkeye Community College y Upper Iowa University.

La librería de la Universidad de Iowa State sigue siendo propiedad de y estando gestionada por la universidad.

A pesar de los cambios que pueda presentar el futuro, Moris aseguró que, no importa quién termine siendo el operador, se seguirán necesitando estudiantes como empleados para ayudar a servir a la comunidad.

También afirmó que, si bien las operaciones se subcontratarán, la universidad seguirá siendo propietaria del edificio en el que se encuentra la librería.

Como esta transición aún se encuentra en sus primeras etapas, los próximos meses revelarán más detalles sobre cómo será el futuro de la librería.

“Nos hemos comunicado con nuestra facultad acerca de este plan, y los estudiantes no van a ver ningún cambio por algún tiempo”, dijo Moris. “Una vez que tengamos más detalles, seguramente querremos compartirlos con la comunidad del campus”.

Vox Pop

Orchesis

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“Attendees of the Orchesis Gala can expect to see pieces from guest artists, alumni, and students as well. They will see lighting, movement, placement of dancers all made by our artists. It is extremely inspiring as an Orchesis Dancer to see the hard work our members put into creating art for an audience,” McGuire said.

In preparation, dancers have been in rehearsals and choreographing throughout the year. While grueling, McGuire said rehearsals emphasize the sense of community that Orchesis is built on. “Dancers have been preparing for this event through technique classes on Mondays and Wednesdays as well as outside rehearsals for our Full Pieces and Interlude pieces. Rehearsals have to be well paced in order to complete our pieces in time for the Gala. Our rehearsals are very fun and we all enjoy our time collaborating to make these pieces the best that they can be,” McGuire said. “Orchesis’ rehearsal space did get downsized a little this year so we could share space with other events occurring in the WRC, so we have adapted to the smaller space and had to find the best ways to deal with this.”

Despite encountering obstacles on their road to performing, McGuire said that the student organization is at it’s essence, a collaborative effort between artists. “My favorite part about being in Orchesis is all of the friends I have made each semester,” McGuire said.

“I enjoy collaborating with all members and getting closer to each member as rehearsals go on. I have enjoyed our Galas so much in my short time in Orchesis, and they are always so rewarding. All of the hard work, rehearsals, and creativity just feels so worth it when the Gala gets here.”

Tickets can be purchased at the door. It is $10 for general admission, $5 for kids under 12 and seniors 65 and older. Tickets are free for UNI students with student ID.

If given the chance, what advice would you give your freshman self?

Quotes and photos by: Ashley Brincks

“Get involved as much as you can on campus. Go out and make friends.”

Panthers run-rule Drake, 9-1