Students honored with Leadership Awards

A. Sue Weisler

The annual Leadership Awards, presented on April 10, give special recognition to student leaders who significantly improve the quality of campus life.

Students who demonstrate leadership, service and positive spirit deserve to be celebrated. Rochester Institute of Technology honored its star students during the 2013 Leadership Awards April 10.

Students received scholarships from the RIT Leadership Institute Program, through the Center for Campus Life, for their involvement with student organizations on campus and other leadership positions.

The Alfred L. & Ruby C. Davis Leadership Award is given to student volunteers and campus leaders for their invaluable service. Winners are:

Abubakar Ali, a second-year international studies major from Rochester, N.Y.
Tiffany Bridgett, a third-year psychology and pre-med major from Piney Point, Md.
Angelic Brown, a fourth-year new media interactive development and information technology major from Capitol Heights, Md.
Wai Hon Chan, a fourth-year bioinformatics major from Shirley, N.Y.
Robert Dooling, a fifth-year computer science major from Omaha, Neb.
Graham Forsey, a third-year management information systems major from St. John’s, N.L., Canada
Guerin Gagliastri, a third-year physician assistant major from Ballston Spa, N.Y.
Shannon Harrington, a third-year management information systems major from Sherrill, N.Y.
Mika Hongyu, a second-year applied computer technology major from Montpelier, Vt.
Naquan King, a fourth-year information technology major from Schenectady, N.Y.
Kevin Lewis, a fourth-year management information systems major from Brooklyn, N.Y.
Jasmine Lockwood, a second-year new media design imaging major from Garnerville, N.Y.
Karina Roundtree, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major from Sedalia, Colo.
Rose Rustowicz, second-year imaging science major from Cheektowaga, N.Y.
Harshita Sood, a fourth-year environmental science major from Kolkata, India
Tegan Spinner, a third-year industrial design and computer engineering major from West Chazy, N.Y.
Sarah Thomas, a third-year finance major from Clifton Park, N.Y.
Helen Yu, a third-year NTID business major from Sunnyvale, Calif.

The Walls-Olson Memorial Scholarship is for students with extensive involvement or leadership in areas of student activities and campus life including, athletics, Student Government, clubs, recognized organizations activities and community service. Winners are:

Aksa Asgher, a third-year new media marketing major from Elmira, N.Y.
Yasmeen Smalley, a fourth-year photojournalism and biomedical photographic communications major from Houston, Texas
Elizabeth Uhrinec, a third-year ASL-English interpretation major from Brewerton, N.Y.

The Isaac L. Jordan Sr. Award is for humanitarian students who celebrate differences and allow individuals to develop to their fullest potential. Winners of the freshman and upperclassman award respectively are:

Enri Marini, a first-year electrical engineering major from Worcester, Mass.
Abubakar Ali, a second-year urban and community studies and international studies major from Rochester, N.Y.

The Joseph T. Ferraro Memorial Scholarship is for students who demonstrate extensive leadership involvement in areas of student activities and campus life, while also overcoming some degree of adversity in their life. The winner is:

Deschana Washington, a first-year molecular bioscience and biotechnology major from Buffalo, N.Y.

The Frederick Douglass Memorial Scholarships is for students who display leadership characteristics, awareness and appreciation of diversity. The winners are:

Kevin Lewis, a fourth-year management information systems major from Brooklyn, N.Y.
Justin Simmons, a third-year applied computer technology major from Pickerington, Ohio
Jasmine Edwards, a second-year biochemistry major from Rochester, N.Y.
Crystal Melvin, a second-year criminal justice from Hamburg, N.Y.
Lezeh Foy, second-year electrical engineering major
Karina Roundtree, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major from Sedalia, Colo.

The Cheryl Bulls, Lanette Moore, and Susan Willoughby Scholarship is given to an AALANA student—African American, Hispanic American, Asian American or Native American—who demonstrates leadership through involvement in student groups and/or community activities. The winner is:

Kevin Lewis, a fourth-year management information systems major from Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Outstanding International Student Service Award recognizes three outstanding international students who have made significant contributions to RIT. The winners are:

Maria Mejia-Yepes, a Master of Fine Arts in film and animation student from Colombia
Tamara Drezner, a fourth-year marketing major from Croatia
Andre Joly, a fourth-year international business and marketing from Brazil

The Kathleen M. Keyes Memorial Award is given to a student who has served as an active leader or participant in Student Government organizations. This person exhibits qualities such as dedication, open-mindedness, friendliness and willingness to help others. The winner is:

Harshita Sood, a fourth-year environmental science major from Kolkata, India

The Eric Senna Award is given to a student who demonstrates significant and unique contributions towards the improvement and quality of campus life, tradition, pride, and spirit at RIT. The winner is