Avila honors student leaders

Avila's annual Student Leadership Recognition Ceremony was held on Sunday, April 24th, 2005. The goal of the ceremony is to "recognize student involvement, leadership, and service to the Avila Community". Joe Deighton, Vice President and Dean for Student Affairs, was the Master of Ceremonies.

Elizabeth Bohnert was given the Sister Ellen Marie Gavin Award. This Award is named after Sister Ellen Marie Gavin who has supported and contributed to Campus Ministry for many years. Bohnert received the award, which is given each year, in recognition of her dedicated service to Campus Ministry. In order to be nominated for the award, a student must possess a generous spirit, be involved in Campus Ministry activities, as well as other campus activities, and have good qualities of leadership.

Bohnert was a freshman when she joined Campus Ministry in the fall of 2001. In joining Campus Ministry, she knew that she "could grow in (her) faith in God". As a Catholic, she wanted to help others. She also joined the ministry because "it was a very good way for (her) to interact with other people." She was inspired by the other team members because they were very dedicated to the cause.

Bohnert has done a variety of activities through Campus Ministry. She has been to Naz Farm, in West Virginia, twice where she helped build and repair houses for the poor. She has also worked in many soup kitchens with Salvation Army. Through Campus Ministry, she has also participated in Antioch. Antioch is a weekend retreat where participants attempt to raise awareness about the living conditions of homeless people by sleeping outside in cardboard boxes. She has also participated in Community Nights, which Campus Ministry puts on every Tuesday night. A few of the activities are bingo games with the residents of Villa Ventura, a retirement home; reading Scripture from the Bible; bowling; and egg hunts.

Congratulations to the following students who received awards at the Avila Student Leadership Recognition Ceremony on Sunday, April 24th.

AVILA UNIVERSITY

STUDENT LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION CEREMONY

2005 AWARD RECIPIENTS

ST. CATHERINE MEDAL

This award is sponsored by Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society. The special medal is named after Saint Catherine of Alexandria, a third century woman renowned for her love of learning. Sophomore women with a 3.5 grade point average or higher who registered for at least 9 credits during the fall semester are eligible.

Deonna Bouye

ST. THOMAS MORE MEDAL

Sophomore men with a 3.5 grade point average or higher who registered for at least 9 credits during the fall semester are eligible.

Kyle Kelsay

HEART OF AMERICA ATHLETIC CONFERENCE - A.O. DUER AWARD

Outstanding junior student of any NAIA intercollegiate athletic team who has excelled academically as well as athletically.

Jessica Collins

SR. ELLEN MARIE GAVIN AWARD

Avila University's Sr. Ellen Marie Gavin Award is named after Sr. Ellen Marie Gavin who has been a long time supporter and contributor to Campus Ministry. The award is given each year to a student in recognition of dedicated service to Campus Ministry. The criteria for selection includes, among other things, possession of a generous spirit, involvement in Campus Ministry activities as well as other campus activities, and good qualities of leadership.

Elizabeth Bohnert

SPIRIT OF AVILA AWARD RECIPIENTS

Honored by the Student Affairs Division for the many ways in which they have positively exemplified the spirit of Avila in service to the campus community.

1. Asher, Dani

2. Barnes, Sara

3. Binkley, Jamie

4. Boehner, Betsy

5. Boles, Brandon

6. Boley, Rachel

7. Bouye, Deonna

8. Bredehoeft, Kristi

9. Brown, Lauren

10. Buchan, Michele

11. Burns, Tiara

12. Butler, Charla

13. Calfas, Matthew

14. Caton, Allison

15. Chang, Chiao-Chun

16. Cook, Kathy

17. Davis, Amber

18. Fryer, Emily

19. Gleeson, Theresa

20. Gwinn, Curtis

21. Haysmer, Kyle

22. Hornback-Hood, Traci

23. Johnson, Stephanie

24. Mahoney, Erin

25. Martinez, Whitney

26. Maysent, Ambry

27. Mead, Nicole

28. Murphy, Amanda

29. Reid, Brittyn

30. Rich, Jennifer

31. Smith, Alyshia

32. Spenard, Jamie

33. Wang, Wei-Chu

34. Wegman, Whitney

35. Williams, Rachel

36. Wise, Deborah

37. Wright, Kenisha

38. Yu, Yue (Jason)

OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD

Each student organization had the opportunity to recognize their outstanding members.

NAME OF ORGANIZATION NAME OF OUTSTANDING MEMBER

1. ACDP Kathryn Graziano

2. ASNO Kristen Seager

3. Kappa Delta Pi/AEA Allie Maclean

4. Psi Chi/Psychology Club Michele Buchan

5. BSU Chamene Woods

6. GAP Theresa Gleeson

7. The Talon Jason Nez

ADVISOR OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Student Organizations have the opportunity to recognize their advisor for their hard work and dedication by nominating them for the advisor of the year award.

1. Maria Hunt - Psi Chi & Psychology Club

2. Alicia Murillo - Student Senate

3. Carmen Coleman-Reeves - Black Student Union

ADVISOR OF THE YEAR

To receive this award, an advisor must be nominated by a recognized student organization with an explanation as to why the advisor deserves this award. This award exemplifies the leadership and dedication an advisor gives to his or her student organization.

Alicia Murillo - Student Senate

OUTSTANDING STUDENT ORGANIZATION

To receive this award, a student organization must be an established Avila student organization, must be student run, student led, and a voluntary organization, and must have shown exemplary leadership for their members and the Avila community. All Avila student organizations have the opportunity to vote for this award.