Students first: Annual awards recognize leaders in service and involvement

Students were honored for outstanding work in a ceremony April 17 in the Student Activities Center.

The UofL Student Awards, now in its 17th year, recognize students based on leadership, service and involvement. A committee selects recipients from student, faculty and staff nominations.

Dean of Students Michael Mardis, who assisted in presenting the awards, said it’s important for the university to take a moment and recognize the hard work of students for their excellence both in and out of the classroom. 

“It’s impressive how much the students at the University of Louisville accomplish. I continue to be impressed by their work ethic, dedication, and commitment to serving the University, our local community, and even the greater global community,” said Mardis. When you listen to the accomplishments of those receiving awards, it’s pleasing to know that these students will be the future leaders of our society.”

Emcees were 2017 Mr. and Ms. Cardinal, Jason Jewell and Jessica Morgan, and 2016 Homecoming King and Queen, Jordan Potts and Keturah Smith.

Winners are listed below:

• Disability Resource Center Student of the Year Award: Zachary Cole Schuhmann
• Intramural and Recreational Sports Solid Performance Awards: Chelsea Case, Zack Carr, Kirby Gooding, Katlyn Hogan, Kaylee Keohane, Aaron Mattingly, Jessica Minnick, Brian Pfeiffer, Brad Proffitt, Shannon Sloss
• ACC Top Six for Service Awards: Taylor Bradley, Gabriella Biedenharn, Kaela Dickerman, Victoria Gabor, Daniel Fecteau, Lauren Kelly
• Adult Learner Awards: Ashley Webb Runyon, Kathryn Anne Green, Dr. Lee W. Bewley, Saundra Kimberlain
• Outstanding Metropolitan College Student Award: Rachel Roarx
• Profiles in Leadership: Katie Mulligan, Alexsis Carter, Gisselle Sierra, Jesse Bailey, Amanda Nitzken, Elshadai Smith-Mensah, Avery Pryor, Lauren Brooks, Jamie Smith, Jayna Winchester, Kendra Malone, Lauryn Handley, Gina Passanisi, Shelby Hatfield, Caleb Bridgwater, Jonathan Fuller, Minoru Chou, Erin Burke, Brian Czerwonka, Peggy Schnell, Gabrielle Oropilla, Ameenah Ikram, Natalia Bilchuk, De’Anna Benson, Blake Manion, Ben Taussig, Phillip Bradley, Destinee Germany, Brittany Lowe
• A&S Peer Advisor of the Year: Blake Gerstner
• A&S Peer Advisor Rookie of the Year: Peggy Schnell
• Most Outstanding Gen 101 Teaching Assistants: Elizabeth Chaddic, Monica Sokolik
• Most Outstanding Orientation Peer Advisor:Jazlyn Eddings
• Michael Cuyjet AAMI Man of the Year: Joshua Cloudy
• AAMI “Uncle” Joe Goodman Spirit Award: Trae McFarland
• AAMI Errol Wint Outstanding Freshman Award: Elliott Kelly
• Cultural Center Advocacy Award: Karen Udoh, Jonas Bastien
• Cultural Center Celebration Award: Eileen Sanchez, X’Zashea Lawson-Mayes
• Cultural Center Engagement Award: Destinee Germany, Alex Nava
• Cultural Center Scholarship Award: Mark Harvey, Josh Cloudy, Des Lane, Elizabeth Pena
• Outstanding Multicultural Student Organization Award: Empowering Ladies Together
• The Cultural Center Outstanding Ally Award: Luke Buckman
• Woodford R. Porter Scholar Service Award: Aliyah Bailey, Kassidy Barnett, Evonie Daugherty, Kendra Ford, Onajia Stubblefield, Esther Tabugo, Jasmine Thomas, Erika Tucker, Anoa Zakee
• PEACC Keeper Award: Dillon Sego
• Katy Garrison LGBT Student Leadership Award: Aisha Bibbs, Caison Black, Sarah Buckley, Brigid Connelly, Chris Knaster, Madison Orman, Tomika Smith, Ciyadh Wells
• Amber Carrier Student Ally Award for LGBT Service: Mellad Khoshnood, The Student Activities Board
• Housing and Residence Life Desk Staff Member of the Year: Colleen Reising
• Housing and Residence Life Facilities Student Staff Member of the Year: Joshua Jean-Marie
• Housing and Residence Life Resident Assistant Leader of the Year: Brittany Chamblee
• CCU Outstanding Freshmen Student Award: Praneeth Goli
• CCU Outstanding Sophomore Student Award: Faizan Ahmed, Matthew Elmlinger, Nicole Fielder
• CCU Outstanding Junior Student Award: Kenzie King, Gabrielle Oropilla, Sam Stevens
• CCU Outstanding Senior Student Award: Elizabeth Ehlman, Piyani Gandhi, Bridgette Hildreth, Ryan Long, Charles Shofner, Ben Taussig
• CCU Outstanding Student Awards for Graduate and Professional Students: T. Abraham de Witt, Lindsey Okoroafo, Rina (REE-na) Perlin, Nicki Stricklin
• CCU Outstanding Student Awards for Graduate and Professional Students: Alli Lake, Tomika Smith, Keith O. Auspland
• Spirit of Community (Individual): Maya White
• Spirit of Service (Individual): Natalie Spiller, Joey Wilkerson
• Social Justice and Inclusion Award (Individual): Kelsey Voit
• Social Justice and Inclusion Award (Student Group or Organization): National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
• Outstanding New Program: “Cardinal Family Fun Day!” by the Student Activities Board
• Outstanding Program of the Year: ”Diverse Faculty, Staff, and New Graduate Student Meet & Greet” by the Minority Association of Graduate Students
• Collaboration Award: Student Organization for Alumni Relations, Student Activities Board
• Outstanding Student Employee Award: Brittany Chouhan - Alumni Relations, Elizabeth Ehlman – REACH, Kelsey Headden - Ekstrom Library, Nicole Robertson - School of Public Health and Information Sciences (SPHIS),
• Advisor of the Year: Natalie Oliner – Adviser of Speed Spectrum
• Harold Adams Award: Kathy Pendleton
• Outstanding New Organization of the Year Under 50 Members: Speed Spectrum
• Outstanding New Organization of the Year 50+ Members: National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association
• Student Organization of the Year Under 50 Members: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Xi Chapter
• Student Organization of the Year 50+ Members: Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity
• The Cardinal Award of Excellence – Scholar/Leader: Ryan Long