UofL Student Awards are in their 12th year. Using criteria of leadership, service and involvement, a committee selects recipients from nominations made by students, faculty and staff.
“We have so many outstanding students at UofL, and it’s important to celebrate their successes, to highlight how they contribute to UofL and the community,” said Dean of Students Michael Mardis, who helped present the awards. “When you reflect on what they accomplish individually and as a group, it’s impressive.
Emcees for the event were 2011 Miss UofL Oliva Henken, 2011 Mr. Cardinal Jonathan Bender, 2010 Homecoming King Kyle Kuric and Student Government Association President Sana Abhari
The Cardinal Award of Excellence – Scholar/Leader Award: Amy Fussenegger
Fussenegger has been a Student Orientation Staff member, social chair of Student Outreaching Alumnae Relations, College of Business senator, REACH Ambassador and a shadow host for admissions. She also served as the student liaison on the Drug and Alcohol Coalition.
Amy’s nominator said of her: “Amy really has a big-picture perspective and the character to accomplish great things. She wants to be part of something great no matter what it is and knows everyone’s contribution to better an organization counts. Amy is selfless and knows nothing less than giving 200 percent of herself. No matter how long she has been at it, she always asks ‘Is there anything else you need?’”
The Cardinal Award of Excellence – Scholar/Volunteer Award: Jonathan Bender.
Bender has served two terms as a Bonner Leader and completed 750 hours of service volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, Whitney Young Elementary School (where he started a French Club), Project Sunshine at Kosair Children’s Hospital and the Louisville Science Center.
Bender also has been an intern at the Center for Health Equity in Louisville, volunteered and performed research at Wood Hudson Cancer research lab, St. Luke Cancer treatment center and Lapeyronie Hospital in Montpellier, France.
His nominator said of him: “It is most amazing and wonderful and exhausting to read all his accomplishments inside and outside the classroom in only four years! I admire his commitment to UofL — he LOVES UofL.”
Outstanding Students
Freshmen:
Stephanie Passow: She is involved in Delta Zeta and helped with the coordination efforts of the Miss UofL Pageant. Passow is a pre-medical student, a member of the University Honors Program and recently was selected to be a Student Orientation Staff member for the coming year.
Shelby Lawson: She a member of Delta Zeta and is involved as secretary of her pledge class and as Press and Lamp officer. As president of the Threlkeld Hall Resident Student Association, Lawson provides programs to cater to the needs of her constituents. She will also be a Student Orientation Staff member for the coming year.
Sophomores:
Lauren Nehus: Nehus is a Cardinal Ambassador, a vice chair for the Student Activities Board, secretary for the Student Outreaching Alumni Relations, member of Golden Key, member of Delta Zeta and a Louisville Lady.
Olivia Feldkamp: She is involved throughout campus as the vice president for programming of Delta Zeta, a peer adviser, CAPs leader and REACH Ambassador. She recently was elected to Student Orientation Staff. A member of the Harlan Scholar Program, Feldkamp has guaranteed entrance o the Brandeis School of Law.
Juniors:
AnnaKaren Ljungstrom: She is a member of the UofL Women’s golf team and was named Big East Golfer of the Week when she tied for first place in the LSU golf tournament. A native of Sweden, AnnaKaren is the president of the LIFE program, which is an organization for international student athletes. Besides her on-campus involvement, AnnaKaren serves the community through organizing a drive for donations to help benefit the Wayside Mission and volunteering with the First Tee program where she teaches golf to children. In Sweden she volunteers at a golf camp, showing her commitment to volunteer at a global level.
Taylor Crush: A fine arts major, Crush received the Mary Nay Spencer Memorial Scholarship and the Allen R. Hite Scholarship. She was the director of the award-winning A&S art show and serves on the Arts & Sciences Student Council. Crush also is an executive council member of Delta Zeta sorority. She serves as a Cardinal Host, member of the Sculpture Club and Student Art League. She also volunteers for such area causes as the STAAR Summer Camp program, Exploited Children’s Help Organization and Heuser Hearing and Language Academy.
Seniors:
Mackenzie Adriance: Adriance has been an involved and active member of Sigma Kappa sorority. She serves as chair of the annual fraternity/sorority Fryberger Sing competition. She also is a Cardinal Host and intern in the office of the president. Adriance has devoted much of her time to enhancing the campus community through involvement in such events as BABA week, Take Back the Night and Relay for Life.
Emily Baldock: Emily is on the dean’s list, is a Dean’s Scholar and Honors Scholar, and has received several scholarships in the College of Business. Among them are the Study Abroad Scholarship, William F. Mayer Scholarship and David Calzi Ernst and Young Scholarship, as well as the Institute of Management Accountants Louisville Chapter Scholarship.
Katelyn Kuric: Kuric is a four-year member of the UofL women’s soccer team. She has represented the university in a variety of community activities including fundraising walks, clinics, youth camps, and hospital visits. She has coached youth teams serving as an outstanding role model.
Jessica Robinson: Robinson is member of Sigma Kappa sorority and has participated in fraternity philanthropy days, chapter meetings and service projects. She has served as Student Orientation Staff for two summers, has been on the dean’s list multiple times and is a biology major. Robinson also has completed more than 300 service hours and is a member of the Honors program.
Graduate/profession program students:
Justin Kingery: Kingery is a student at the School of Medicine. While maintaining high academic standards, he started a travel fund to increase diversity and awareness of the people of his home region of West Virginia and has worked to help underprivileged populations in Louisville. His academic achievement in clinical medicine and scientific research has risen above the normal quest for excellence and have gained national status for himself and the university.
Mickey Ising: Ising studies engineering/bioengineering. His research led to seven peer reviewed publications and five abstracts in national conferences. He received numerous awards, including the ASAIO Young Innovator Fellowship Award and the Herschede Engineering Award. Ising is a co-inventor in a patent application and his research was instrumental in getting a $100,000 grant funded. He has been actively involved in many co-curricular service activities and has served as scholarship chair for Sigma Chi fraternity.
Spirit Awards
The Spirit of Community-Individual: Gabrielle Maxedon
Maxedon receives the award for her involvement and commitment through various campus groups. She is the president for the Women 4 Women Student Group and founded the Human Trafficking/Cards 4 Freedom RSO. She spearheaded such programming initiatives as financial literacy workshops, a free monthly film series featuring strong role models for women, a weeklong program on human trafficking and self-defense lessons. Maxedon also is involved in Greek Life through her sorority and has worked on campus.
Spirit of Community – Organization Award: Arts & Sciences Student Council
Arts & Sciences Student Council works hard each year to create programming that is open, accessible and appealing to the students, faculty and staff. From Finals Fiesta to the Annual Student Art Show, this group welcomes the entire campus community in and provides both fun and enriching experiences.
Spirit of Service-Individual: Shantanu Neravetla
Neravetla’s service take place both on and off campus. Her projects include being a PUMP pre-med mentor, medical school recycling volunteer, medical school tour guide, Prasad Eye Institute volunteer, service at The Healing Place student clinic, Ecuador Medical Brigade trip leader, Medical Reserve Corps team leader, AMA cadaver memorial service usher, two-time St. Baldrick’s Day participant and an American Red Cross Measles Initiative National Champion.
Spirit of Service-Organization: Pi Kappa Alpha
Pi Kappa Alpha approached Cochran Elementary School about creating a soccer league. Fraternity members hoped that by coaching the inner-city kids they could make a lasting positive impression. Their endeavor led to the group also assisting with basketball and track. Pi Kappa Alpha also has helped several other Louisville organizations this year, including Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Harbor House Louisville and Ronald McDonald House.
Spirit of Diversity – Organization: Sigma Phi Epsilon
Sigma Phi Epsilon created the Bryce Wooley Classic, a basketball tournament and dance named after a UofL student with cerebral palsy. Sigma Phi Epsilon found 10 generous corporate sponsors from the greater Louisville area. The event consisted of a men’s/women’s basketball tournament and coed dance competition that raised awareness for cerebral palsy and raised $3,300 which was donated to the Southern Indiana Rehab Hospital.
Student Orientation Staff
Student Orientation Rookie of the Year: Nate Gilbert
Student Orientation Member of the Year: Elise Fenwick
Housing and Residence Life Staff
Housing and Residence Life Overall Program of the Year: Miller Hall Haunted Maze
Resident Student Association Program of the Year: The 8th Grade Dance
Resident Student Association Student of the Year: Sam Tobbe
Housing and Residence Life Rookie Resident Assistant of the Year: Shevon Christon
Housing and Residence Life Veteran Resident Assistant of the Year: Jeff Lamb
Housing and Residence Life Excellence in Service Award: Shari Cooper
Housing and Residence Life Outstanding Student Initiative of the Year: Bridget Quitter
National Residence Hall Honorary “Hall” of Fame Inductee: “Speak Out: Lessons from Lady Gaga” by Jeff Lamb and Bridget Quitter
Office of Civic Engagement and Leadership
Bonner Leader of the Year Award: Jenna Williams
SOUL Award (given for attending the most SOUL events): Alex Knipper
The Freshmen LEAD Spirit Award: Adam Stewart and Elizabeth Delaney
International Center
International Student Award: Rashmi Shrestha
Student Government Association
SGA Staff Member of the Year: Janae Lewis
SGA Senators of the Year: Travis Gault and Allison Hunter
Greek Awards
Rodney Williams Interfraternity Council Greek Man of the Year: Kyle Schuler
The Panhellenic Council Greek Woman of the Year: Sierra Ashby
NPHC Scholarship Award: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
NPHC Community Service Award: to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
NPHC Organizational Brotherhood Award: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
NPHC Organizational Sisterhood Award: Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.
NPHC Chapter Award: Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.
NPHC Woman of the Year: Janessa Siegel
NPHC Man of the Year: Aaron Hunter
Outstanding Presidents Awards: Rachel Croley, Sumter Pittenger and Janessa Siegel
Student Activities Board
Student Activities Board Member of the Year: Chris Bretzlauf
Student Activities Board Volunteer of the Year: Cody Graudick
Cultural Center
ACES Award: Michael Razeeq
Advocacy Award: Ellen Bushong and Krista Worthy
Celebration Award: Sabastien Lauhle and Rashad Mitchell
Engagement Award: Cassandra Wess and Clayton Coleman
Scholarship Award for 2010 – 2011: Teresa Hardin and Joseph Wilkins
LGBT Services
Outstanding Student Ally Award: Amber Carrier (future awards will be named in her honor)
REACH
REACH Tutor Award of Excellence: Thomas Wagoner
REACH Ambassador Award of Excellence: Frank Gulla
REACH Ambassador Spirit Award: Craig Peden
PEACC
PEACC Program Leadership Award: Silvia Gozzini
Athletics
2010-11 BIG EAST Diver of the Year: Hannah Gadd, swimming and diving;
2010 BIG EAST Defensive Rookie of the Year: Hakeem Smith, football
2010 BIG EAST Softball Player of the Year: Chelsea Bemis, softball
2010 BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year: Thomas Royce, baseball
BIG EAST 2010 Rookie of the Year: Christine Exeter, women’s soccer
2010 All American and Hermann Trophy Finalist: Colin Rolfe, men’s soccer
National Champion 2010 Outdoor Track – 3,000m Steeplechase: Matt Hughes, men’s cross country and track
NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Recipient: Michael Eaton; men’s cross country and track
The 2010 Elite 88 Award: Jimmy Crick, men’s soccer
Kentuckiana Metroversity Council
Undergraduate Student Award: Michele Theobald
Graduate Professional Award: James Biggs
Faculty member: George Higgins
Staff member: Susan Hildebrand
Outstanding Entertainment/Social Program: Kappa Delta Sorority, Shamrock N’ Run 5K run/walk
Outstanding New Program/Initiative: Men of PEACC, Engaging Men Week
Collaboration Award: Student-Athletes of Color Combining Opportunity and Responsibility for Excellence (SCORE), the Louisville International Family Enrichment program (LIFE) and the Chi Alpha Sigma National Student-Athlete Honor Society
Outstanding New Organization: Best Buddies of Kentucky
Student Organization of the Year: Women 4 Women Student Chapter
Adviser of the Year: Valerie Casey, Women 4 Women.
Harold Adams Award: Joni Burke, assistant director for student activities for Greek life