The St. Thomas Division of Student Affairs recognized the leadership and accomplishments of students and staff May 10 at The Tommies, an award presentation event in Woulfe Alumni Hall.
Karen Lange, vice president for student affairs, said in her opening remarks that this was the 17th year that St. Thomas honored students and staff for their leadership in a ceremony like this.
John Guetter, associate director of Campus Life, said that many of the students receiving awards at the event had previously been notified of their win; the purpose of The Tommies was to bring together the students recognized in various departments of Student Affairs.
“Some of these offices (present awards) on their own, but we bring them into the Tommies because we want to … give them another opportunity to be recognized,” Guetter said. “It’s a great opportunity to come together at the end of the year and celebrate some things students and clubs have done.”
Representatives from Campus Life, Student Diversity and Inclusion Services, Residence Life, Undergraduate Student Government, Campus Ministry and more presented seventeen total awards to students and staff.
Students accepted purple mascot-shaped awards for accomplishments like Residence Life Association member of the year, the “club to watch,” Linkages mentor of year, international student leadership, and more.
Nine total students received the $1,000 Student Leadership Scholarship for dedication to the St. Thomas mission.
Some winners were nominated by their friends, coaches, and classmates. For example, Andria Warner, a senior on the women’s lacrosse team at St. Thomas, won the Club Sports Member of the Year because of a nomination by her coach.
Head coach Ashley Nelsen wrote that Warner is “one of the most humble players I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach.”
Sophomores Tarik Kidane and Akanksha Kumar were named the Linkages mentors of the year by Student Diversity and Inclusion Services after the students’ mentees submitted statements about their counterparts. Linkages Mentor Program, according to the description on SDIS’s website, “serves as a formal peer mentoring initiative designed to support the retention of underrepresented students.”
Kidane’s mentee wrote that he and the sophomore hang out so often that the mentor has become “like family to me.” Kidane said, “I’ve been living every day with him as a normal friend, and I’m glad to see that (this award) shined a light on that.”
Former USG President Michael Gaytko presented Accolade Awards to staff who have “shown exceptional support” of the USG message and goals. Vice President for Mission Father Larry Snyder and University Diversity and Inclusion Officer Artika Tyner were present at the ceremony to accept the honors.
USG gave its Distinguished Educator Award to math professor Cheri Shakiban and the William B. Malevich Award to Anderson Student Center Director Vanessa Ryan.
The event concluded with a video that featured students recognizing peer leaders in their communities, like resident advisers, club executive board members and friends.
Sophie Carson can be reached at sophia.carson@sttthomas.edu.