Outstanding Senior Man and Outstanding Senior Woman awards highlighted the 2021 Austin College Student Affairs Leadership Ceremony Tuesday, April 20, in Wynne Chapel.
President Steven O’Day announced the awards that recognize the two seniors’ outstanding contributions to the Austin College community through academic and co-curricular achievements.
Outstanding Senior Woman
“This student is majoring in communication studies and psychology and pursuing a minor in media studies,” President O’Day began. ”She is a member of Los Amigo, the Senior Committee, secretary of Sigma Phi Chi sorority, and president of Campus Activities Board. This year, the Outstanding Senior Woman is Kirsten Munson.”
Outstanding Senior Man
“The male student is majoring in business administration and communication studies and pursuing a minor in psychology,” the President said. “He is the co-chair of the Service Station Board, a member of the Catholic Students Association, and a varsity baseball player. The 2021 Outstanding Senior Man is Aneurin Minson.”
Outstanding First-Year Student
The Outstanding First-Year Student was introduced by Dean of Admissions Alan Ramirez. Before describing the awardee, he spoke to all first-years, “You have demonstrated a level of persistence and resilience this year,” he said. “I trust that the lessons learned will outlive the challenging moments, because those lessons are what make us into the future leaders we are destined to become.”
“This year’s recipient is described by professors as intentional and a careful communicator. The honoree has actively pursued community, exceeded expectations within the classroom, demonstrated leadership on- and off-campus, and volunteered to assist members of the community to do more than just survive this season of life. It is my pleasure to present the Outstanding First-Year Student Award to Josue Gonzalez.”
The event also recognizes exceptional leadership and involvement in co-curricular activities through the Goodloe Lewis Leadership Scholarship and the Robert Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship.
Robert Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship
The Robert Bradshaw Memorial Scholarships were endowed through contributions of family, friends, colleagues, and a special gift from the graduating Class of 1994 in memory of Bradshaw, who served as vice president of Student Affairs for 10 years before his untimely death. This award recognize the male and female rising junior or senior who have demonstrated exceptional leadership through involvement in co-curricular activities at Austin College and was announced by Michael Deen, dean of students.
“Our first scholarship recipient is a current junior majoring in chemistry and minoring in mathematics,” Deen said. “This recipient is a Peer Tutor, a member of Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow, president of Alpha Phi Omega, and a varsity swimmer. Please help me in congratulating Jade Kemp.”
“The second recipient is a junior majoring in biochemistry and business finance,” Deen said. “This awardee is a member of the Service Station Board, a member of Alpha Phi Omega, service chair for Zeta Chi Beta, captain of the AC KangaRAAS, and co-president of the Indian Cultural Organization. Join me in congratulating Hersh Patel.”
Goodloe Lewis Scholarship
Goodloe Lewis was a long-time faculty and staff member of Austin College. Assistant professor emeritus of communication arts and a longtime Student Life staff member, he was one who truly understood the meaning of friendship with Austin College students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The Goodloe Lewis Scholarship recognizes a student who has represented the standards of Austin College through participation and leadership in co-curricular opportunities at Austin College. Kelle Kennemer, chief of Campus Police, announced the recipient.
“This year’s recipient is a sophomore majoring in business finance and minoring in Spanish. The recipient serves as a resident assistant in Clyce Hall as well as a member of Students Today/Alumni Tomorrow. Help me congratulate this year’s recipient, Rosie Amezquita.
Service is also a hallmark of Austin College and two awards honor student volunteerism. Andrea Restrepo, coordinator of volunteer services at Austin College, announced the awards.
Robert M. Rogers Award for Outstanding Service
The Rogers Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer service to the Austin College community, as well as various off-campus communities.
“The 2021 recipient has a well-deserved reputation for her self-motivated willingness to serve, often exceeding expectations,” Restrepo said. “She has had an impressive record of service since her first year on campus, participating in numerous campus-wide Service Station events, as well as multiple Alternative Spring Break trips. She also had an integral role in the planning of TEDx, is an active member of Alpha Phi Omega, a Service Station co-chair, an ACtivator ministry participant, and a Global Brigades volunteer. For these reasons and so many more, I’m pleased to announce this year’s Rogers award recipient is Ti’Anna Smith.”
The Oscar C Page Servant of the Year Award
The award honors Austin College President Emeritus Oscar Page (serving 1994–2009) for his emphasis on the values of servant-leadership and his example of volunteer efforts.
The Oscar C. Page Servant Award is presented to a student who has demonstrated a heart for community service, individually or as part of an organization. The award represents a willingness to perform such service with the same value and dedication as Dr. Page.
“Our recipient has made an impact on various aspects of campus life, with undeniable energy and passion,” Restrepo said. “He is an enthusiastic leader, charitable and extremely effective in collaborating between campus groups. He has most recently adapted to navigating these unique circumstances in the various organizations he is involved with on campus, first by organizing activities via zoom to keep people connected, to planning outdoor, socially distanced events to encourage student interaction and community. His service ranges across many disciplines and represents his most passionate causes: giving everyone a voice, helping our environment, being an advocate for change and a conduit for action, all while utilizing and sharing his talents with others. This year’s recipient also has a gift for seeing the good in all situations and bringing joy and laughter into each room he enters. He is a member of the Austin College Service Station, the president of SOMA, and so much more. I am pleased to present this year’s Oscar C Page Servant of the Year Award to Will McCarthy.”
The Henry Bucher Global Citizen Award
For two decades, the Rev. Dr. Henry Bucher served Austin College as chaplain, and he continues to be an associate professor of Humanities on our campus. Dr. Bucher’s tenure at Austin College has been distinguished by his consistent commitment to service and study in a global context. Each year—in honor of his legacy—Austin College gives the Henry Bucher Global Citizen Award to a student who has demonstrated significant commitment to service and study in a variety of settings throughout the world. Chaplain John Williams presented the award.
“This year’s Bucher Award recipient has been a significant member of our campus community for the last four years,” Williams said. “As a double major in international economics & finance and East Asian Studies, with a minor in art, this year’s recipient is completing an academic journey requiring an interdisciplinary approach to the world. She has participated in two humanities lab courses–last spring on the democracy movement in Hong Kong and this fall on the coronavirus in East Asia. Last spring, she even carried over what she was learning about the democracy movement in Hong Kong to her digital imaging class to create a Hong Kong flag made of images from the protests. This student has studied abroad twice: once on a JanTerm to China and Japan and once in China as a recipient of the prestigious State Department Critical Language Scholarship. She has been a member and leader of Posey Leadership Institute, Student International Organization, and Black Expressions, as well as a Public Affairs intern and a speaker at the community’s 2021 Martin Luther King Day event. It is no secret now that this award goes to Victoria Gilbert.”
Nelda Lambert Excellence Award
Margie Norman, director of Career Services, announced the award that memorializes the work ethic of longtime Student Life employee Nelda Lambert. Norman read from a nomination form that describes a student who supports an academic department in a range of areas and is fully trusted to do appropriate work, even when precision and details are needed. The nomination went on: “This student does all of the above while serving as the Student Assembly president. She is an impressive young woman. One of my colleagues called her a “top-notch student worker,” and another called her “absolutely critical” for the functioning of the department. I couldn’t agree more.” Nicole Deluna is the recipient of the Nelda Lambert Excellence Award.
In addition to individual student awards, a number of faculty and staff and organizational awards are made.
Howard Starr Student Affairs Division Faculty/Staff Recognition Award
Dr. Howard Starr taught psychology and served in various leadership positions at Austin College for 50 years. This award was named in his honor upon his retirement. The 2021 honoree was chosen particularly for her work throughout the pandemic and for her part in ensuring a smooth transition back to campus in fall 2020. “The recipient of the award has worked around the clock since March 2020 when the effects of the pandemic began to have an impact on campus,” Deen said, announcing the award to Lenora Hatch, director of Health Services.
Organizational Excellence Award
Alpha Phi Omega
Outstanding Sponsor Award
Dr. Lisa M. Brown, sponsor of Black Expressions
Greek Organizational Excellence Award
Omega Zeta sorority
E. Don Williams Outstanding Greek Sponsor Award
The award is named for E. Don Williams who spent many years as sponsor
Margie Norman, sponsor of Omega Zeta sorority
Award Recap
Outstanding Senior Woman
Kirsten Munson
Outstanding Senior Man
Aneurin Minson
Outstanding First-Year
Josue Gonzalez
Robert Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship
Jade Kemp
Hersh Patel
Goodloe Lewis Scholarship
Rosie Amezquita
Robert M. Rogers Scholarship
Ti’Anna Smith
Oscar C. Page Servant of the Year Award
Will McCarthy
Henry Bucher Global Citizen Award
Victoria Gilbert
Nelda Lambert Excellence Award
Nicole DeLuna
Howard Starr Student Affairs Division Faculty/Staff Recognition Award
Lenora Hatch, director of Health Services
Organizational Excellence Award
Alpha Phi Omega
Outstanding Sponsor Award
Dr. Lisa M. Brown, sponsor of Black Expressions
Greek Organizational Excellence Award
Omega Zeta sorority
E. Don Williams Outstanding Greek Sponsor Award
Margie Norman, sponsor of Omega Zeta sorority