APSU honored students and organizations that excelled academically, volunteered for their community and provided exceptional acts of service at the Student Organization and Leadership Awards on Wednesday, April 13. Victor Felts, director of Student Life and Engagement, hosted the awards.
President Alisa White administered the oaths to both the new Student Organization Council and the newly elected Student Government Association Executive Board.
The Mr. and Madam Governor awards were presented to Will Roberts and Kaitlin Roe for their contributions to APSU through leadership, service and promoting diversity.
Roe said she was excited to be the recipient of this award.
“I am very honored and thankful to have the opportunity to be at APSU and serve,” Roe said. “I am so proud to be a Governor.”
Baptist Collegiate Ministry took home the award for Student Organization of the year.
The Multicultural Program of the Year Award was presented to Generations Of Disciples’ Gospel Choir for their program “Gospel Explosion: Our Struggle! Our Glory! Our Story!”
The Co-Sponsored Program of the Year Award was received by the Gay-Straight Alliance and Tapestry, who collaborated on a program called “Equality Workshop Series.”
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. was presented with the award for Community Service Project of the Year for their community service project “Weekly Mentoring at LEAP organization,” which had over 500 student participants.
The Program of the Year Award was awarded to Alpha Delta Pi Sorority for their program, “Lip Sync Battle” benefiting Clarksville’s Camp Rainbow for ill children that cannot attend real camps.
Junior Sara Alexander, sophomore Jennie Balbas and freshman Jake Bumpus, were awarded the Governor’s Rising Star Award.
The Rising Star award was granted to the Scholars, Leaders, and Gentlemen Society for their community service and philanthropic endeavors.
KarLee Wyatt was presented with the Andrew L. “Drew” Simmons Intramural Leader of the Year Award.
Rachel Maynard and Courtney Cousin won the Volunteer of the Year Award.
Eden Buchanan’s volunteer work with the American Red Cross and Tennova Healthcare earned her the Civic Engagement award.
The award for Outstanding Fundraiser of the Year was presented to Alpha Delta Pi for their fundraising event “Run for Ronald 5K.”
Jamie McCray, director of Disability Services, recognized all volunteer notetakers for Disability Services for their time and desire to help others.
The Thousand Points of Light Award recognizes an impactful and creative program and was received by the Student Nurses Association for their “Multicultural Diversity Awareness Group.”
Navdeep Saini, member of the Student Nurses Association, was also the individual recipient for the Governor’s Service Award, along with Alpha Delta Pi who was the student organization recipient.
Saini was also the student recipient of the Governor’s Impact Award, for creating the Multicultural Diversity Awareness Group within the Student Nurses Association.
This has brought awareness to APSU students and enabled them to gain knowledge on how to work with culturally diverse peers.
Saini said his hard work come from his desire to be an example to current and upcoming students.
“I want to be an example for current and upcoming students and spread nursing knowledge through community service,” Saini said. “We have been able to spread so much awareness already and hope to spread even more.”
Kim Escue was the winner of the Betty Jo Wallace Women’s Studies Activist Award.
The Exemplary Faculty Member of the Year Award went to Christine Mathenge. Ty Jesinoski received the Exemplary Staff Member of the Year.
The Student Employee of the Year Award was given to Gary Lawson of Disability Services. The female Athlete of the Year Award was received by Breigh Jones and the male Athlete of the Year Award was given to Jared Carkuff.
Joseph Palmer was awarded with the Adult Student Leader of the Year award.
Timothy Goodale , the recipient of the Student Veteran of the Year Award, served 10 years of active duty in the U.S. Army and will return upon the completion of his degree at APSU.
Zana Morris of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated was named Sorority Woman of the Year and Tyler Ragland of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated was named the Distinguished Student Leader of the Year along with the Fraternity Man of the Year.
This was the first year two National Pan-Hellenic Council members won these awards.
Katherine Vinston was named The Distinguished Leader in a Philanthropic and Community Service, Kelsey Zadick was named The Distinguished Leader in Peer Education and Mentorship and Mikhail Creech was named The Distinguished leader Spiritual Development. The winners of the President’s Cup, determined by highest cumulative GPA within each council, were Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for National Pan-Hellenic Council, Chi Omega for Panhellenic Council and Kappa Alpha Order for Interfraternal Council.
The Greek Organization of the Year winner was Kappa Alpha Order.
Brandelynn Horton was awarded the Tammy Bryant Silent Inspiration Award for her selfless service towards others.
The Valor Award was presented to Tarrah Sargeant.
Danielle Bergman, member of Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity, was the recipient of the Student Organization Member of the Year award.
Matthew Kirkpatrick of Alpha Kappa Psi received the Student Organization Adviser of the Year Award.
The recipient of the Child Learning Center Parent Volunteer of the Year Award went to KC Bucci.
Phi Gamma Delta was awarded the Wyatt Award.
Ankit Patel and Lucas Bearden were the recipients of the Meningall Governor’s Cup.
The recipients of the Governor’s Pride Senior Leadership Award were Dani Hunter and Dominik Shannon.
Zachary Moore was awarded the Vice President’s Excellence in Leadership Award. APSU also recognized Volunteers for Disability Services, Individual Award Nominees and Who’s Who Among Students in Universities and Colleges.
For more awards, please visit: apsu.edu/student-life/awards.
