Students, staff and faculty honored for tremendous achievements

By Ray Feldmann on May 5, 2017

One of the most celebratory events of the spring semester took place Thursday night at SECU Arena, as the Division of Student Affairs held its annual Student Affairs Leadership Awards ceremony. Faculty members, staff, students and student organizations walked home with lots of hardware, including the University Diversity & Inclusion and Marion Hoffman Ethical Leadership awards.

Thursday night’s ceremony was the fifth in a series of eight events that are part of a “Celebration of Excellence” launched this spring to better showcase the university’s best and brightest students, alumni, faculty and staff. Two more "Celebration" events are scheduled before the end of the semester.

Following welcoming remarks from director of student activities B. Nathan, she passed the microphone to Brandy Hall - former Student Government Association (SGA) president and now assistant director of student activities – who served as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies.

Hall introduced President Kim Schatzel, and Vice President for Inclusion and Institutional Diversity Leah Cox, who co-presented the University Diversity & Inclusion Award, formerly known as the President’s Diversity award.

This year’s award was shared by two students, Natalie Shaheen and Breya Johnson.

Johnson also received the LeaderShape Vision Award along with Javon Henderson.

“Just won the President’s Diversity & Inclusion Award and the LeaderShape Vision Award,” Johnson tweeted after the ceremony. “Today is such a great day for me. I’m just so happy right now.”

Later, at the end of the evening, Vice President Deb Moriarty stepped to the stage to present the Marion Hoffman Ethical Leadership Award, which provides a $250 scholarship to a student who demonstrates integrity in their decision-making as a leader.

“Marion Hoffman’s most significant accomplishments here included her Ethics Forums, which brought together community and business leaders with student leaders for in-depth discussions of the real world of ethical dilemmas,” Moriarty noted. “Former TU President and current system chancellor Dr. Bob Caret referred to these forums as ‘top-notch.’

“Hoffman also established an on-campus all Greek dormitory and instituted the Towson Man and Woman of the Year,” Moriarty added. “She had a great impact on student lives.”

This year’s Marion Hoffman Ethical Leadership Award recipient was Taylor James, outgoing SGA president who graduates later this month.

The following additional awards were also presented during Thursday night’s event:

• SGA Staff Member of the Year: Kailah Carden.
• SGA Faculty Member of the Year: Dr. Zosia Zaks, a certified rehabilitation counselor.
• iLEAD Certificate Program: Megan Carson and Joy Telan.
• Outstanding Community Service Award: Aleah Disney.
• Outstanding Community Service Organization: Alternative Break Connections.
• Outstanding Advisor Award: Sylvester Gaskin.
• Social Action Award: Shey Elemo.
• Career Center Student Employee of the Year: Jenny Moore.
• Outstanding On-campus Student Employer: Antoinette Newsome.
• Outstanding Program: Girls on the Run.
• Outstanding Multicultural Program: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, “Bridging the Gaps.”
• James R. Saxon Memorial Scholarship: Jessica Giangiulio and Sophia Ross.
• Mary Leeper Student Scholarships: McKenna Bondura, Amanda Smorgens, Ryan Kirby and Christian Pineiro.
• Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Brian Edwards.
• Outstanding Service Learning Faculty Member: Dr. Andrea Brace.
• Emerging Student Leader: Rachel Blevins.
• Student Leadership Unsung Hero: Shelby Bogner.
• Eco Smith Tiger: Elena Sachs.
• Hoke L. Smith Outstanding Student Organization: Black Student Union.
• Dr. Maravene S. Loeschke Award: Leroy Hyson II.
• Vice President for Student Affairs Awards: Dan Bowley, Nancy Nowakowski, Kristen Zdon, Usjid Hameed, Ayana Bowman, Daniela Velasquez, Brianna Williams.
• Tiger Pride Award: Kenya Colbert and Khera Colbert.