Austin College’s top honors for campus leadership and involvement were handed out April 30 at the annual Student Affairs Leadership Awards dinner, which highlights the contributions to the campus community of a wide variety of individuals, organizations, and programs.
Top honors went to Outstanding Senior Man Joseph Khalaf of Sherman, Texas, and Outstanding Senior Woman Yilu Zhang of Xinjiang, China. These awards are presented to a graduating senior man and woman based upon their scholastic achievements and co-curricular involvement, including membership and leadership in student organizations, committees, or athletic teams, and participation in performing arts, intramurals, and community service. President Steven O’Day presented these awards.
Outstanding Senior Man Joseph Khalaf completed majors in economics and mathematics, and completed Departmental Honors in Mathematics. He also is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Chi Honor Societies, and an Academic Skills Center peer tutor. His co-curricular activities include Pre-Law Society, the Catholic Students Association, and AC Democrats. He also is a member of the varsity men’s soccer team, earning numerous honors, including First Team All-Conference and the Scholars All-West Regional Team.
Outstanding Senior Woman Lu Zhang, in addition to completing a major in international business and a minor in leadership studies, is widely known across campus for her many involvements. She is a leader in Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity and a Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow ambassador. She also has been involved in Student International Organization, the Asian Student Association, the Environmentally Concerned Organization of Students, Mentors in Violence, and Psychology Club, serving as an officer in many of these organizations. She also has been an RA, served on Residence Hall Council, and been a Public Affairs intern. Announcing the award, President O’Day, said, “I knew she was involved in everything because in my first months on campus, I simply saw her everywhere.”
Outstanding Freshman Award
Outstanding Freshman honors went to Abbey Franke. The Outstanding Freshman Student Award recognizes a freshman who has excelled in leadership and scholarship and who has demonstrated leadership potential. After nominations from faculty, staff, and student leaders, nominees are invited to apply. A committee reviews the applications to make a final selection.
Abbey is a member of the French Club, Alpha Phi Omega, and was recently accepted into the Hadara Program, a summer program offering experiential learning and exploration of Islamic language, and culture. As part of this program, she will attend Arabic classes in Istanbul this summer and participate in seminars on Islamic civilization.
Her main goals this year were to gain leadership experience and have fun while doing it. She served as an officer in the French Club, which she intends to make the best club on campus. She volunteered in numerous service projects and had unexpected enjoyable moments in Product Lab. Abbey is the daughter of Gina Franke of Nacogdoches, Texas.
Oscar C. Page Servant of the Year
Senior Ysabel Rose Lew was named the Oscar C. Page Servant of the Year based upon self-motivated willingness to perform service to the community. 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.
In announcing the award, Andrea Restrepo, Austin College coordinator of volunteer services, said Ysabel is kind-hearted, caring, and humble. “She does not seek out acknowledgement for her efforts, nor would she expect to win an award for service but is truly motivated to serve for the betterment of those in need.”
Ysabel has spent much of her time working with AC Cares, as an enthusiastic active member, vice president, and now president. She works with community organizations such as the Callie Clinic toward similar goals of raised awareness and education regarding safe sexual behavior. Ysabel helped to bring in record donations Callie Clinic and Newstart Zimbabwe Children’s Orphanage through successful campus and community events.
Having completed a major in public health and a minor in biology, Ysabel is the daughter of Patrick Lew and Linda Vargas-Lew.
Henry Bucher Global Citizen Award
Senior Clarissa Cabellaro received the Henry Bucher Global Citizen Award based upon her service and study in a variety of cultural and international contexts as well as service to the Austin College campus community. This award honors Henry Bucher, chaplain emeritus and associate professor emeritus of humanities whose tenure at Austin College was been distinguished by consistent commitment to service and study in a global context.
Clarissa has been active in the Psychology Club, Mentors in Violence in Violence Prevention Program, Catholic Students Association, STAT, Omega Zeta Sorority, The Posey Leadership Institute, Student Assembly, and Senior Committee. She has studied Comparative Democracies in Edinburgh, Sevilla. Granada, Marrakesh, and Lisbon. Last summer, she completed a GO Fellowship in Livingstone, Zambia, teaching at Father Hugh Primary School. Next year, she will complete her Master of Arts in Teaching degree through the Austin Teacher Program.
Goodloe Lewis Scholarship
Katherine Seibert received the Goodloe Lewis Scholarship, established by Aramark to honor the long-time Austin College faculty and staff member. The award recognizes co-curricular leadership and involvement. Katherine has been captain of the tennis team for two years. She is a Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow ambassador and will serve as the president of that group next year. She is a 2019 Global Outreach Fellow and has served on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Student Assembly, and as a Communication/Inquiry Leader.
A junior, Katherine is completing a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. Her parents are Frank and Susan Seibert of Medina, Texas.
Robert Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship for Campus Leadership
The Robert Bradshaw Memorial Scholarship was 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 recognizes the rising junior or senior who has demonstrated exceptional leadership through involvement in co-curricular activities at Austin College.
The 2019 recipient is junior Zaliah Finegan. She is a member of the Model United Nations team, is a fellow in the Posey Leadership Institute, and serves as the Current and Cultural Events chair for Campus Activities Board. This year, she also served as the student representative on the Quality Enhancement Program for the College. Majoring in political science and communications, she is the daughter of Gwenn Rickards of Bayside, California.
Robert Rogers Outstanding Volunteer Service Scholarship
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional volunteer service to the Austin College community or in the Sherman area.
Alisa White is the 2019 recipient of the Robert Rogers Volunteer Service Scholarship. A member of the Service Station board, she also has participated this year in a Global Outreach Fellowship where she was able to apply her medical interests outside the medical curriculum. She plans to pursue a career in medicine.
A junior, Alisa is the daughter of Eastlyn and Michael White of Arlington, Texas.
Nelda Lambert Work Study Excellence Award
Syeda S. Raza received the Nelda Lambert Work Study Excellence Award, which honors the loyalty, efficiency, and special contributions that the late Nelda Lambert made to Austin College as a longtime member of the Student Affairs staff. The award is presented to a student employed in a work-study position who reflects the excellence Nelda embodied in her work.
Syeda was honored for her work in the Department of Human Resources, where she has worked for three years. This past year she was “instrumental,” according to her supervisors, in the rollout of the new time entry system for student payroll and was credited with the organized implementation. The supervisors also nominated her for her professionalism, attitude, and overall work ethic. Syeda is the daughter of Munazah and Syed Raza of North Richland Hills, Texas.
Organization Excellence
Student organizations also were recognized for achievements in scholarship and leadership on the campus and in the larger community.
The Organizational Excellence Award went to Students of Modern Art (SOMA). The Organizational Excellence Award recognizes a student organization that has made significant contribution to its members, Austin College, and to the community through academic, leadership, and service achievements.
Sunita Nayani of Student Life, announced the award, saying, “This year’s recipient has made significant strides toward being recognized throughout campus after a struggling start and worked hard by participating in various large campus events including ’Roo Boo with APO, donating art pieces to Tostan Benefit Auction, and giving students the opportunity to show their expressive side by having the art bus available at various events.”
The Greek Organizational Excellence Award was presented to Omega Zeta sorority. The award recognizes the Greek organization that has excelled in scholarship and leadership and has demonstrated service to the Sherman and college communities. Austin College Greek Life uses Standards of Excellence to ensure that all Greek groups highlight service, organizational management, recruitment, membership development, and academics. Organizations are required to complete a minimum 45 of the 82 SOEs points available per academic year. Omega Zeta has received 77 to date.
Organization Sponsors
Dr. Roger Platizky, sponsor of AC CARES, was named Outstanding Sponsor for making significant contributions to a student organization through participation, support, and assistance. The nomination said that he “embodies every attribute that Austin College shares about its professors.” As a sponsor, he is not only present at every bi-weekly meeting and organization event but also assists with setup and take down of every event and keep connections with the Sherman community groups that AC Cares impacts.
Dr. Hank Gorman, sponsor of Alpha Delta Chi sorority, was named the E. Don Williams Outstanding Greek Sponsor for 2019. That award was named to honor the significant and long-term sponsorship of a campus Greek organization by Williams, emeritus professor of mathematics, who taught at Austin College from 1970 to 2013. The nomination materials included, “This sponsor genuinely shows interest in the success of the organization, is enthusiastic about the Greek group’s values, and encourages the group to work towards those values.”
Howard Starr Faculty/Staff Co-Curricular Support
Ryan Felix, assistant professor of chemistry, received the 2019 award that recognizes significant contributions to student life. A member of the faculty since 2015, he works with students not only in his courses, in research and through the STAR Leadership program but he has been active in wheelchair basketball, is a faculty sponsor the for Archery Club, and for several years, has been an invited faculty sponsor for the Service Station’s Alternative Spring Break program.
The Faculty/Staff Co-Curricular Support Award is given to faculty or staff who make contributions to students beyond the classroom. In 2013, the award was named for Howard Starr, emeritus professor of psychology, and is given to those faculty and staff who follow in Dr. Starr’s example of a continued commitment to students.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with 46 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. This year, the campus recognizes 100 years of co-education and has had several opportunities to recognize the history of women and accomplishments of current alumnae. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.