Student Life Awards honor leaders

Students, program advisors and student organizations gathered in the Student Union Ballroom on Friday for the Student Life Awards ceremony and reception. The annual SLA event is held to "recognize some of our outstanding UConn leaders for their efforts to make this university a better place," according to a letter written by President Michael Hogan in the event's program.

For eight months, the SLA's selection committee has been working hard to choose finalists and recipients from the candidates who were nominated for various awards by their teachers and advisors. The winners received scholarships and plaques for their achievements.

Cindy Luo, a 4th-semester linguistics/philosophy and classics and ancient Mediterranean studies double major, and Daily Campus weekly columnist, was a finalist for the Individual Husky Pride Award, won by Mary Santella.

"I am a peer mentor to incoming freshman and a coordinator for the Honors Initiative for prospective students, as well as a Husky Wow Leader," Luo said. "I take outstanding pride in the university."

Ben Cannon, a graduate student on the selection committee, played a significant role in organizing the Student Life Awards.

"With a lot of help from the other coordinators, we were able to hold interviews with the selection committee," said Cannon, who also works in the Leadership Program Learning Community." We also ran ads in the Daily Campus every day announcing award winners, posted the names on our Web site and ran pictures of winners on the TV screens in CUE and Wilbur Cross."

Rebecca Gates, from the Honors Program Learning Community, was also on the selection committee.

"I know many of the recipients, but not necessarily those that I selected," Gates said. "It was nice to be able to straight out select some recipients without holding interviews."

Melissa Foreman, the learning communities program coordinator, explained just how hard it was to select the award winners – especially for the Donald L. McCullough Leadership Award,  won by Leah McDermott.

"We had 30-plus outstanding applicants, and we had to interview five and choose only one," said Foreman. "In my opinion, all of these students are winners."

Romana Haider, a 4th-semester political science and human rights major, was the recipient of the Matthew B. Schecter Scholarship for her involvement with human rights.

"It's nice to be recognized for the work you've done, even if you don't expect it or do it for the recognition," Haider said.

Colin Carlson, a 4th-semester student pursuing a dual degree in ecology and evolutionary biology and environmental studies, was a finalist for both the Emerging Leaders and Individual Community Service Awards.

"I honestly don't think I will win either award," Carlson said. "I don't think it matters if I win. I am just impressed by all of the other nominees and honored to be placed in the same category with them."

The Emerging Leaders Award was won by Sarah Harris, while Melissa Marsh received the Individual Community Service Award.