Students were recognized at the 23rd annual Student Leadership Awards April 14 for their hard work and accomplishments.  The Office of Student Activities and Greek Affairs gave awards to recognize and honor student leaders and scholars who had made significant contributions to Marshall. “Award applications were sent to students who may be deserving of the awards,” P. Andy Hermansdorfer, director of student activities and Greek affairs, said. “Each award has an  application which includes the criteria for that award and a student may have applied for more than one award.” A selection committee of 10 people chose the winners from the applications. President Dan Angel greeted the recipients and their families as they entered the reception before the awards ceremony.  Dr. Ernest Middleton welcomed the audience before the awards were given out.  Della Crews was the keynote speaker for the evening.  "It's hard after graduation. Don't go out wearing rose-colored glasses," Crews said. "The road to success isn't smooth because of human nature and jealousy out there."  Crews encouraged listeners never to quit or give up. She said life isn't easy and everyone should just have patience.  "Even if you have to take a detour, keep your eyes on the prize," Crews said. "Oprah Winfrey once said that the sweetest revenge is success."  Crews also told students to work hard because someone would always be watching who could take them to the next level. She closed with a challenge.  "There are a lot of talented students at Marshall, and I know you will make your parents and West Virginia proud," Crews said. "If you don't feel challenged anymore with your job, move on. Future generations need to redefine age so that people don't have to retire until they are ready."

Dr. Donnalee Cockrille, Dean of Student Affairs The audience waits to hear who won the awards Marie Brown, Avril Walker and Patricia White at the awards ceremony Winners of some awards pose for a picture Some of the winners celebrate with a picture

The following forty-two students received Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities Awards. 

Heather E. Arrowsmith, David R. Butler, William C. Butler II, Shereea D. Dooley, Amanda Edmonds, Patricia Fisco, Joshua Fix, Alison Gerlach, Megan Goff, John Grace, Nathaniel R. Gray, Cindy J. Griffith, Jonathan D. Hall, Taella M. Hill, Vicki Hopper, Tamar E. Jones, Angel J. Justice, Angela Kaylor, Tamara L. King, Anna M. Knighton, Jay Love, Kimberly Lucas, Jennifer L. McLaughlin, Charles M. Meadows, Samuel O’Dell, Sylvia M. Paesani, Staci D. Pauley, Stephen M. Petrucci, Scott D. Pettit, Paul Porres, Sara L. Pucke, Jon N. Robateau, April D. Russell, Patrick Sheehan, Jan A. Sikorsky, Jerod Smalley, Jennifer M. Smith, R. Alan Stalnaker, Susan M. Stinnett, Amanda K. Thompson, Matthew D. Thornton and Valerie Vincent.

The Karen C. Thomas Award was given to Dana M. Kinzy. 

The Outstanding Adviser Award was given to Dr. Margaret Rotter. 

The Dean's Award was given to Brandi Jacobs. J.J. Spichek and Matt Ladd received the Student Involvement Award. 

The Multicultural Program Award was given to Alpha Kappa Delta by Maura Conway and Linda Trollinger, Baptist Campus Ministry by Jessica Campbell and Megan Goff, Black United Students by Maureen Mulima and the Center for African American Students, Gamma Beta Phi by Mike Kasey and Student Government Association by Brandi Jacobs. 

The Student Activities Programming Board gave awards of the Outstanding Executive, Kristin McConaha; Outstanding Member, Ketwan Crews; and Outstanding New Members, Amanda Miller and Jennifer Hargis. 

Rebecca Bates, Jay Morlachetta, Leslie Pack and Amy Poe received the Community Service Award. 

Rebeccah R. Cantley, Michele Kuhn and Michael C. Tooley received the Outstanding Contributions Award. 

Wendell Barker, Megan Goff, Angel J. Justice and Anthony W. Ponton received the Outstanding Leadership Award. 

Molly Bassett, Alison Gerlach, Kathleen Sandell and Michael C. Tooley received the Outstanding Leader-Scholar Award.

Bill S. Majdalany received the Outstanding Sophomore Award, Erin Locy received the Outstanding Junior Award and Michele Kuhn received the Outstanding Senior Award. 

Allison Gerlach received the Outstanding Leader-Scholar Award and the Who's Who Award and was excited about being recognized.

“I was surprised that I won. I didn’t expect it because everyone was equally qualified for it,” Gerlach said. “I was very pleased. It was nice to get recognition for the hard work I’ve done at Marshall.

“I encourage people to get involved. Find a group and commit yourself to it. The rewards I got from working hard and participating are worth more than a Leader-Scholar Award."

Story by Courtney Ross