Office of Student Activities honors top students and organizations

Goldstein Auditorium was transformed Tuesday night into a banquet hall donned with black and gold balloons in honor of The 44 Stars of Excellence Gala and Celebration.

Tables packed with students in their best business-casual wear snacked on tray passed hors d’oeuvres and feasted on a buffet dinner of steak, chicken, vegetable-filled couscous, mashed potatoes and pasta as The Office of Student Activities highlighted the achievements of numerous students and organizations on campus.

Photo: Samantha Quisgard

SU's exclusively first year student acting group, First Year Players, performs a number from their recent production of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee".

The Office of Student Activities, along with co-sponsors Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Careers after College, welcomed Mehegan Murphy, graduate assistant in the Office of Student Affairs and Aaron Hudson, graduate of the iSchool and the Kappa Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, as the night's emcees.

In addition to the tasteful dinner prepared by Schine Catering and the presentation of awards, the night featured special performances by Syracuse University’s exclusively first year student acting group, First Year Players, and its renowned a cappella group, Groovestand, both of which were the recipients of this year’s “Musical Performing Group of the Year” Award.

The night concluded with the presentation of the “Senior Vice President Award for Outstanding Senior Leadership," considered one of the most prestigious awards given at Syracuse University. This honorary award is given to two graduating seniors who have consistently shown dedication to improving themselves and Syracuse through their involvement and leadership in the classroom and in student organizations. This year’s awards were presented to Paul Stanley, a marketing and advertising major, and Jessica Santana, an accounting and finance.  

And the winners are: 

 The Division of Student Affairs' Leadership Institute of Citation Distinction Award:

        Individual: Queen Chambliss

The Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public Community Service Awards:

        Individual: Sierra Fogal; Organizations: Orange Seeds, SOPHIE, and Comm.UNITY

The Award for Outstanding Philanthropy Programming:

        Organizations: Muslim Student Association and Phi Iota Alpha

The Student Activities Award for Creativity and Ingenuity:

        Individual: Amy Tinn; Organization: Alpha Phi Alpha

The Macy's Rising Star Award:

        Individual: Nick Haas; Organization: She's the First

The Student Association SU Orange Spirit Award

        Individual: Adam McMonagle; Organization: Traditions Commission

The Student Centers and Programming Services Award for Excellence in Programming:

        Organizations: Omega Phi Beta, Mu Sigma Upsilon, Multiracial Experience

The Division of Student Affairs Award for Collaboration:

        Organizations: Omega Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma, Pride Union

The Associate Vice President Award for Positive Advocacy:

        Individual: Jonathan Chan; Organizations: Delta Sigma Theta and Habitat for Humanity

The Lillian Emanuel Slutzker Center for International Services Award for Cultural Diversity:

        Individual: Jessica Santana; Organization: SCOPE

The Public Affairs Award for the Most Outstanding Media or Publication:

        Organization: JERK Magazine

The Student Activities "Live It" Award for Excellence in Leadership:

        Individuals: Emily Allen, Michael Weiss, Matan Fishman Cafri, Allie Forbes and Amy Tinn

The Career Services Emerging Leadership Award

        Individual: Alyssa Brennan

The Class of 2011 Citizenship Award

        Individual: Justin Cole

The Award for Excellence by and Organization President:

        Individuals: Samantha Lifson, Andrew Beyda, Na'Tasha Webb Prather

The Musical Performing Group of the Year Award:

        Organizations: Groovestand and First Year Players

The Bloomingdale's Entertainers of the Year Award:

        Organizations: Raices Dance Troupe and University Union

The Senior Vice President Award for Outstanding Senior Leadership

        Individuals: Paul Stanley and Jessica Santana