Students honored at Inspiring Leaders Recognition Ceremony
April 20, 2012
Photos from the 2012 Inspiring Leaders Recognition Ceremony
Twelve students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University were honored for their exemplary leadership at the 2012 Inspiring Leaders Recognition Ceremony April 15 at Guild Hall, SJU.
The event, sponsored by the Student Activities and Leadership Development Program, was attended by more than 320 students, parents, family members, faculty, staff and monastic members to recognize the student leaders for their exemplary leadership in the Benedictine tradition.
The 2012 "Excellence in Leadership Award" was presented to SJU senior Matthew Semerad, a chemistry major from Rogers, Neb.
Semerad shared the "Challenge the Process" award with CSB senior Evan Lowder (political science and psychology majors, Eagan, Minn.). This is the leadership category based on seeking improvement.
The "Emerging Leader" awards were presented to SJU junior Kunihiro Shimoji (political science and economics majors, Okinawa, Japan) and CSB junior Alivia Tison (English and Hispanic Studies majors, Des Moines, Iowa). This award recognizes the leadership efforts of students who have taken an active role in creating positive change on the campuses and have not yet entered their final year of school.
The "Model the Way" awards were presented to SJU senior Jason Kaiser (English major, St. Cloud, Minn.) and SJU senior William Newkirk (political science major, Rochester, Minn.). It is the leadership category that recognizes individuals who set the standard for leadership, based on integrity and respect.
The "Inspire a Shared Vision" awards were presented to CSB senior Merideth Erusha (peace studies major, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and CSB senior Shannon McEvoy (art and Hispanic Studies major, Bloomington, Minn.). It is the leadership category that recognizes individuals seeking an uplifting future and accepting all possibilities.
The "Enable Others to Act" awards were presented to CSB senior Rebecca Gross (communication major, Cottage Grove, Minn.) and SJU senior Kyle Auringer (biology major, Mantorville, Minn.). This category is for leaders who follow a process in which the strengths of the team members are recognized.
The "Encourage the Heart" awards were presented to CSB senior Kelly Donahue (nutrition major, Plymouth, Minn.) and CSB senior Lauren Witt (individualized major in social entrepreneurship, Denver). This category recognizes leaders who continually encourage one another for their progress and value.
There were 119 student nominees for the awards, which are based on Benedictine values and the leadership model developed in the book, The Leadership Challenge: Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, by James Kouzes and Barry Posner. In addition to the awards, 67 Certificates of Leadership were distributed to 47 students.
The 2012 "Club of the Year" was Johnball, a club sport similar to dodgeball which is for every skill level and features teamwork, sportsmanship and creativity. Other nominees for the award were AKS, CSB Dance Team, MAGIS Ministries, Up 'Til Dawn and Hmong Americans Involving Students.
The "Adviser of the Year" was Lindsay Anderson, adjunct instructor of nursing and Nursing Club adviser. Other nominees for the award were Anderson (also nominated for her work with Up 'Til Dawn), Warren Bostrom (Delta Phi Theta), Don Fischer (Allied Health Club), David Fremo (MAGIS Ministries), Kelly Kraemer (Hmong American Involving Students), Jenny Kramer (AKS), Christi Siver (CSB/SJU Speech and Debate) and Linda Tennison (Buddhist Meditation Club).
SJU President the Rev. Robert Koopmann, OSB, was presented with an honorary "Excellence in Leadership" award.