Out of 197 nominated, five students took away plaques and $250 awards for their academia and outstanding leadership Thursday night.

Several students representing different organizations and leadership qualities were honored at the 2005 Student Leadership Recognition Awards Ceremony, presented by the UW-Eau Claire Foundation and the Alumni Association.

Three organizations and five advisers were also recognized for their leadership qualities during the ceremony. Two organizations and one adviser took an award home as leaders of the year.

“It is a wonderful illustration how the community and the university are connected to work together with common issues and common concerns,” said Kimberly Barrett, associate vice chancellor for Student Development and Diversity. “We collaborate and work together for a common good.”

Chancellor Donald Mash opened the ceremony.

“Tonight we are recognizing and honoring students with these leadership awards who have gotten involved,” he said. “We very much appreciate everything that you have done to make the campus a more exciting place and a more interesting place to be.”

Out of the three organizations recognized, Chinese Culture Association, Circle K International and Sigma Tau Delta, the latter two were given plaques and $100 awards for efforts in leadership.

Circle K, organized and sponsored by a Kiwanis Club for university campuses, took away two more awards.

Sophomore Niki Kalmon, Circle K’s president, was nominated for an award by her organization’s two advisers, John Lee and Donna Raleigh, for her great leadership and positive attitude, Lee said.

“Leadership, to me, means taking the initiative to do things,” Kalmon said. “You don’t sit back and watch if something needs to be done.”

Kalmon takes pride in her organization, she said, and felt honored just to be a part of the ceremony.

Kalmon received the first Blugold Spirit award named after Ann O’Brien, an Eau Claire student who died in 2003. The Andre and Joann Gibault family endowed the award through the Eau Claire Foundation.

“I feel stunned,” Kalmon said. “I feel like there’s so many other people who deserve it.”

Kalmon’s adviser, Lee, also went home with a plaque and $100 award for his devotion to the organization and members.

The other organization winner, Sigma Tau Delta was recognized for the efforts it put into its book sales, children’s writing contests, English Festival and online newsletter.

Four other students also won awards. Senior Lindsey Nelson said she felt good about the recognition she received for her internship in fall with the New Voters Project.

“I’m very excited,” Nelson said. “I’m going to be graduating in May, and it’s very nice to be recognized.”

Nelson has been involved with various commissions, she said, and likes to dabble in everything.

“I love this university,” Nelson said. “I think the opportunity it creates for the students is exceptional, and it feels good to give back.”

Other student leadership award winners included: junior Kyle Buchmann for his achievements as a student ambassador and the Davies Center student building manager; senior Amanda Hill, who was recognized for her involvement in the University Activities Commission of Student Senate and many other; and junior Lori Scardino for her accomplishments in the field of chemistry and active membership in the American Chemical Society.

This was the 17th annual ceremony recognizing student leadership at Eau Claire.