Spring Break
Student Life Awards Banquet focuses on leadership
Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 5/23/08 Section: News
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The banquet, presented by Student Life and the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA), had a Hollywood theme, featuring the slogan "Spotlight on Leadership."
The leadership theme was highlighted in speeches during the banquet, including the opening remarks by Brian Chacker, a member of the Bar Association and an associate at Gay Chacker & Mittin, P.C., and closing remarks by USGA President Jeff Gardosh. Their speeches focused on the difficulty in defining what exactly a leader is and the many different types of leaders that exist.
This year, the banquet also featured new honors, including a faith-based award in memory of Jacquelyn West-Ford, former senior associate dean of students at Drexel. West-Ford, who died last year, previously helped organize the banquet.
Gardosh said the Student Life Banquet has become an important tradition at Drexel. "[The banquet] shows we have pride in what we do. It's a really important tradition to uphold," he said.
Gardosh said he was pleased with the turnout for the event; there approximately 300 RSVPs to the banquet. According to Kristen Smith, a junior majoring in biomedical engineering and the USGA president-elect, there were approximately 200 RSVPs for last year's banquet. Smith is also USGA's Government Operations chair, and one of the organizers of the banquet.
During the organization process, USGA and Student Life hoped to make this year's banquet more visible than in previous years, according to Jessica Grace, director of the Office of Campus Activities.
Both Gardosh and Smith said one reason this year's banquet had a higher attendance rate was due to the high number of family members who came to support the honorees.
"Families should definitely be applauded," said Smith.
The two individual leadership awards at the banquet went to Stacey Rose, a senior majoring in business administration, and Rob Falcone, a senior majoring in electrical engineering. Another individual award, for Student Leader of the Year, was given to Sean Miller, president of the Drexel Democrats.
Student organization honors included the Student Organization of the Year Award, awarded to the Drexel Democrats, and the Student Organization Outstanding Service Award, awarded to the DAC Pack.
The New Student Organization of the Year honor went to the American Medical Students Association (AMSA). Student nominations for the awards were due March 28, and award applications were due April 18.
The Student Life Banquet originally began as a way to recognize student leaders in a University-wide fashion, according to Ruth. Previously, the individual colleges had awards for students, but there were no student life awards, said Ruth. Ruth said he is pleased with what the banquet has become over the years.
The banquet was held in Behrakis Grand Hall and included a sit-down dinner before the speeches and awards. In accordance with the banquet's Hollywood theme, show business decorations adorned the hall.
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