UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Student Organizations, Leaders Recognized for Outstanding Service

May 5, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Student leaders and organizations at The University of Texas at Tyler were recognized during the 10th annual Student Leadership and Service Awards Banquet, Ona Tolliver, assistant vice president and dean of students, announced.

UT Tyler students, faculty and staff submitted nominees, and a selection committee consisting of faculty and staff chose winners. The UT Tyler Department of Student Life and Leadership sponsors the awards reception.

"I couldn't be prouder of the students who were nominated and those who won," said Chase Ragland, UT Tyler student development specialist who coordinates leadership and service programs. "Each year, we get more nominations, and the programming continues to grow. It's great to see our students get recognized for all the hard work they have put into their organizations and to our community."

"Freshman 15" and "Student Affairs Partnerships" were among new awards presented this year. Freshman 15 awards recognize outstanding freshmen who are upcoming leaders in their class and at UT Tyler. Partnership awards recognize individuals and departments who support the mission of the university's student affairs division.

The 2016 awards and recipients are:

Freshman 15 – Sharose Ayaz of Clearlake, Ana Rivera of Garland, Ashley Yen of Sugarland and Lauren Brunner of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Leadership and Service Ambassadors – Sarah Draper, Courtney Stewart, Ana Rosales and Laci Moore, all of Tyler and Zachary Bourne, Radha Nabar and Kimberley Cole, all of Houston

Dr. Robert Jones Leadership Award – Khaled ElSayed of Egypt

Emerging Leader Award – Charley Page of Athens

Legacy Awards – ElSayed and Jacob van der Schans of Frisco

Student Government Association Spirit Award – Shawn Rogers of Chandler

SGA Senator of the Year – Nathan Baber of Tyler

SGA Project of the Year – Christina Tuell of Fort Worth for the SGA Anti-Virus Campaign

SGA Extra Mile Award – Sarah Freshour of Pasadena

Fraternity Man of the Year – Shane Conway of Houston

Sorority Woman of the Year – Lauren Cummings of Cyprus

GiveBack Award: Individual – Moore

GiveBack Award: Organization – SGA

Outstanding Student Organization – Muslim Student Organization

Outstanding Student Organization Member – Danual Edward Fountain of Tyler

Outstanding Student Organization President [tie] – ElSayed and Rebecca Floyd of Rockwall

Outstanding Student Organization Adviser –Dr. Marina Astakhova, UT Tyler assistant professor of management

Program of the Year – Suicide Awareness Walk, hosted by Psi Ci

Partnership Award: On-campus Individual – Susan Doty, UT Tyler senior lecturer in economics

Partnership Award: On-campus Department – Barnes and Noble at UT Tyler

Partnership Award: Employer Partner – Brookshire Grocery Company

Partnership Award: Community Partner – East Texas Food Bank

Outstanding Student Affairs Professional: Graduate Assistant – Meredith Klipple of Austin

Outstanding Student Affairs Professional: New Professional – Michael Chichowicz, UT Tyler employer relations specialist

Outstanding Student Affairs Professional: Full-time – Kim Harvey-Livingston, UT Tyler associate dean of students

The Department of Student Life and Leadership supports the university's mission by providing programs and activities designed to meet the needs of a diverse student population. For more information, visit uttyler.edu/sll/.
One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.