March 9, 2023
Center for Student Involvement recognizes Student Organization Awards recipients
Submitted by Center for Student Involvement
The Center for Student Involvement recognizes and celebrates the recipients of the 2022 Student Organization Awards.
Student organizations help shape the culture and experience of the shared community at K-State. Thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize and nominate your peers for the outstanding work they have done.
The 2022 Student Organization Awards recipients are:
Advisor of the Year: Tamie Redding, advisor to Student Alumni Board, nominated by Emily Howard.
"In meetings, she challenges members to think outside the box when it comes to developing ideas and encourages our members to 'get comfortable being uncomfortable.' She never seems to complain and instead focuses on the positives in each situation. Each spring when it comes time to elect a new executive team, she sits down one on one with eligible members to discuss their leadership skills. She takes the time to find the role that best fits each member and pushes us to run for a position that will challenge us. She prioritizes getting to know everyone on a personal level and creates an environment where all members feel as if they can share their concerns, ideas and feelings."
Commitment to Inclusion and Belonging: Crew rowing club, nominated by Anna Wagester.
"Crew not only operates both a men's and a women's team but also offers coed options. All members practice together and compete in both individual sex and coed lineups. While there is still a separation between men's and women's races, both groups have equal opportunities to win and compete as individuals or as a group."
Student Leader of the Year: Oluchi Amakoh, president of African Students Union, nominated by Abena Damuah.
"Oluchi believes that leadership is demonstrated best through actions and not just words and has countlessly dedicated her time to test the boundaries of her organization's presence on campus. She seeks out new and creative ways to exploit our organization's potential for greatness. She represents her organization at other on-campus events and meetings where she passionately advocates for and provides meaningful insight into some of the experiences of African and international students at K-State. She is a proactive and innovative leader that strives to treat everyone around her fairly and with the respect and dignity they deserve. Lastly, she recognizes that the responsibility of a leader comes with taking the back seat sometimes and giving others the opportunity to learn, succeed and sometimes even fail. "
Student Organization Event of the Year: The Miss Belleza Latina Pageant hosted by the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, nominated by Maria Izquierdo.
"This event is a scholarship event. We wanted to be able to give a scholarship to the first-place winner of $500, as well as provide leadership and development experience for contestants and committee members who helped successfully plan and execute the event. Before COVID, this event was held annually and was considered a staple event within the Hispanic student community. This pageant was student-led and required extensive planning."
Student Organization of the Year: Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow, nominated by Molly Biggs.
"The vision of this organization is to be the leading collegiate organization in developing and strengthening their students through professional growth opportunities and educational programs. Their mission includes building relationships among professionals, college students and faculty, and providing professional and academic development for their members. This year, the organization decided to expand their officer team with the addition of a 'Rookie Rep.' This position could be held by anyone who was new to the club, wanted to get more involved and grow as a leader. They do not have any specific job duties, but this allows them to shadow the current officer team and their roles, with the hopes that they one day will fill the shoes of a current officer. As for the general membership, they are a relatively small club, but that allows for members to get involved in big ways, like with the implementation of committees, such as T-Shirts, outreach, promotion, where they create stickers and other promotional materials, and Open House, where they can plan the clubs booth for the annual All-University Open House. Two members of this organization were finalists for the Forrest Bassford Award, a nationally recognized scholarship program."
Congratulations to all of this year's nominees, especially the award recipients. The Center for Student Involvement thanks you for your hard work in making your organizations, and therefore K-State, a welcoming, active and inclusive community through your leadership and support.