Celebrating the value of learning outside of the classroom, Wittenberg hosted the 11th annual Student Leadership Awards on Wednesday, April 12, in historic Weaver Chapel.
From honoring student organizations and advisors, celebrating diversity, health, and wellness, highlighting contributions to spiritual life, and recognizing the University’s unsung heroes, the Office of Student Involvement emboldened the campus community to nominate students and student organizations for one or more of the awards.
“This event is to honor our students, staff, and faculty for all of their great achievements over the past year,” said Katie Simms, director of student programming and organizations. “The variety of awards being presented bring recognition for the work that individuals and student organizations are doing on campus and out in the greater Springfield community. We want to continue fostering the building of a more inclusive place to live, work, and study at Wittenberg University, as our mission promotes."
Committee members received numerous nominations for this year’s awards as Wittenberg continues to rebuild organizations, leadership development opportunities, and social change efforts back up to where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have doubled our nominations from last year for these awards,” said Jade Jones, director of student involvement. “Our students and student organizations continue to exemplify the motto of the institution. I am very proud to see our students continuing to elevate their experience for themselves and their peers."
The event is sponsored by Student Involvement, the Interfraternity Council, and the Panhellenic Council. Nominations are gathered from across campus and winner are determined through an outsourced selection committee of judges elected by Student Involvement staff to ensure impartial results.
The following is a list of this year’s 2023 Student Leadership Award Winners:
- Contributions to Health and Wellness: NAMI QPR Training
- Contributions to Religious and Spiritual Life: Joseph Kuzilwa ’24, from Canal Winchester, Ohio
- Contributions to Community Living: Facilities Management
- Contributions to Community Involvement: Brown Girls Club
- Emerging Leader of the Year: Ashton Newton ’26, from Chippewa Lake, Ohio
- Most Improved Greek Chapter: Sigma Kappa
- Fraternity Member of the Year: Cole Lewis ’24, from Lewis Center, Ohio
- Sorority Member of the Year: Taylor Easlick ’23, from Scio, Ohio
- Greek Chapter of Excellence: Alpha Xi Delta
- New Organization of the Year: Get Witt Crew
- Organization of the Year: NAMI
- Program of the Year: Carmel Carnival
- Richard R. Scott Faculty/Staff Supporter: Tracy Paschke-Johannes
- Social Justice Leader of the Year: Danny Bean ‘24, from Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Student Leader of the Year: Azad Robinson ’23, from Cleveland, Ohio
Diversity Program of the Year: Take Back The Night
This year’s judges have a variety of backgrounds and experiences and volunteered to read more than 50 student leadership award nominations, all while managing full-time jobs as higher education professionals. Judges include Keenan Hamilton, academic advisor at The Ohio State University; Kerry Brown, talent acquisition specialist at Ascena Retail; Andrew Sells, school counseling graduate student at The Ohio State University; Stacy Rowan, assistant director of fraternity & sorority life, University of Alabama Birmingham; Caitlyn Westfall, director of membership education at Zeta Psi Fraternity; and Armando Rijo De La Hoz, assistant director fraternity and sorority life and student government at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
