(April 8, 2019) — Shining a spotlight on the incredible contributions of UTSA students, faculty and staff, winners of the 2019 University Life Awards were announced during a special two night ceremony. UTSA President Taylor Eigmhy and several members of his leadership team, including Vice President of Student Affairs Sam Gonzales, were on hand to honor these students and organizations for their impressive accomplishments.
The University Life Awards recognize outstanding students, student organizations, staff and faculty for their contributions to the quality of student life at UTSA. The awards, coordinated by both the Council of Student Organizations and the Student Government Association, are presented annually during the spring semester.
More than 300 nominations from organizations and individuals were submitted this year for consideration in categories including Outstanding Registered Student Organization, Outstanding Program Celebrating Culture, Diversity and Inclusion, and Outstanding Students by Classification, among many others.
The highest honors for individual students go to the recipients of the Jane Findling Award, recognizing individual achievements over the 2018-2019 academic year, and the Golden Feather Award, recognizing students that have crafted a powerful legacy over the entire course of their academic careers at UTSA.
The Golden Feather Award winners:
- Aileen Montana
- Bharath Ram
- Brittany Ashley Garcia
- Cameron Nguyen
- Jacob Mauceri
- Joshua Guerra
- Marielle Gaspar
- Sanah Jivani
- Simon Karottakuttu
Jane Findling Award winners:
- Beanna Okeugo
- Elvira Carias
- Kelsey Bauers
- Stephanie Opah
- Yasemin Dinibutun
The full list of student organization winners include:
Outstanding Collaborative Program
- Honors Alliance
Outstanding Community Activism Organization
- Women in Leadership
Outstanding Community Service Program
- Hunger and Homelessness Movement
Outstanding Educational Program
- Rowdy Women in Physics
Outstanding Membership Development Program
- Hunger and Homelessness Movement
Outstanding Performing Organization
- Overly Chromatic
Outstanding Professional Development Program
- Pre-Pharmacy Student Organization
Outstanding Program Celebrating Culture, Diversity and Inclusion
- Iranian Students Association
Outstanding Religious/Spiritual Program
- Voices in Praise
Fraternity Man of the Year
- Nick Ng of Gamma Beta Fraternity
Sorority Woman of the Year
- Rachel Jendrzey of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
Diane Abdo Outstanding Advisor Award
- Mary McNaughton-Cassill of Active Minds
Outstanding President
- Osasu Ewansiha of the National Society of Black Engineers
Outstanding New Student Organization
- PERIOD at UTSA
Outstanding Registered Student Organization
- Hunger and Homelessness Movement
Outstanding Sponsored Student Organization
- Honors Alliance
The full list of individual student, faculty, and staff winners include:
Outstanding Freshman
- Anjali Shah
- Karla Madrigal
Outstanding Sophomore
- Lacee Barnes
Outstanding Junior
- Denise Guerra
Outstanding Senior
- Roxanne Rodriguez
Outstanding Graduate Student
- Victoria Castellanos
Male Athlete of the Year
- Jhivvan Jackson
Female Athlete of the Year
- Julie Houston
Volunteer of the Year Award
- Beanna Okeugo
- Elvira Carias
John Kaulfus Outstanding Professional Staff Member
- Jessica Dawson
Outstanding Faculty Member
- Gilberta Turner
Nominations for the 2020 University Life Awards will open in December.
