In gratitude of the people and programs that make the university a more harmonious place, the Student Development Council Recognition and Awards Celebration recognizes a number of people and programs each year.

This year, two student employees, six university staff members and three programs were awarded for their contribution to the campus community at the 2011 awards celebration.

Approximately 70 university staff members and student employees from 37 different campus offices attended the event on Wednesday in the Council Fire room in Davies.

“The university believes it is important to nurture human resources and to show appreciation to those who contribute so much to the university community,” said Beth Hellwig, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.

The ceremony began with remarks by Dean of Students Brian Carlisle, who introduced the nominees and acted as the event’s host. Following remarks were made by Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich, Hellwig and Coordinator of New Student Orientation Julia Diggins.

Student Affairs Chair of Excellence Award, Student Employee Excellence Awards, Programs of Excellence Awards and five other awards were given out to recognize 11 outstanding persons and programs.

Candice Wilson, who won the Student Affairs Chair of Excellence award, said she began her employment at the university in 1975. Following a long career in the University Bookstore, she served as bookstore manager for eleven years; additionally, she has served as the Davies Center Retail Operations Manager, Centers Business Services Manager and the Centers Assistant Director for Business and Administration.

Wilson said receiving the award was a culmination of her past work; the joy she feels, she said, is similar to the happiness she gets from working with students and being surrounded by them.

“My life has always been full of opportunity,” Wilson said. “This has brought me great joy. This is indeed an honor.”

The Civil Rights Pilgrimage won the Programs of Excellence Award. Program student coordinator Sarah Tweedale represented the program to accept this award.

“It was an incredible honor to accept the Program of Excellence Award on behalf of the Civil Rights Pilgrimage,” she said. “I definitely think that the Civil Rights Pilgrimage was deserving of this award, and it was very humbling for me, as one of the student coordinators, to accept the award on behalf of
the pilgrimage.”
Tweedale also said the Program of Excellence Award will encourage the Civil Rights Pilgrimage to work better in the following years.

“The Civil Rights Pilgrimage has been going strong for a total of seven trips so far,” Tweedale said. “I hope that this award helps more students to be excited about the Civil Rights Pilgrimage and interested in joining us over winterim or spring break for an incredible experience.”

Other awards distributed included the Unclassified Staff Excellence Award, LTE/Classified Staff Excellence Award, two Student Employee Excellence Awards, two additional Program of Excellence Awards, the Student Affairs Chair of Excellence Award, Program of the Year Award and the Student Staff Award.