Award ceremony highlighted leadership and rewarded students and organizations
Michigan Technological University recognized student leaders during the 32nd Annual Student Leadership Awards on Friday, Apr. 10, at 6 p.m. in the MUB Ballroom, celebrating students and organizations that have made significant contributions to campus leadership, scholarship, and service. Student Leadership Organizers said the awards recognize the leadership, scholarship, and service demonstrated by students across the Michigan Tech community throughout the academic year.
The program included several major individual honors, including the President’s Award for Leadership, the Provost’s Award for Scholarship, and the Dean of Students Award for Service. Other awards highlighted civic engagement, student employment, student governance leadership, and emerging student leaders.
“People respond differently to ambiguous direction. For some it can be liberating, but for others it can be analysis paralysis. I challenge you to lean into uncertainty and discomfort, because we live in a VUCA [Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous] world. Learning to navigate these environments will absolutely help you be more successful in life, both personally and professionally,” said Lieutenant Colonel Hans Korth, keynote speaker and former award winner. Additional remarks during the ceremony were delivered by Dr. Kellie Raffaelli, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students, and Isobel Bowker, an MTU graduate student and former award winner.
Several of the university’s top honors were presented during the ceremony. Junior Computer Science student David Reeves received the President’s Award for Leadership, which recognizes a student who embodies Michigan Tech’s leadership values and inspires others to push boundaries while serving the community. Senior Mathematics and Computer Science student Tony Maccagnano received the Provost’s Award for Scholarship, awarded to a rising senior who best represents academic excellence through scholarship, research involvement, intellectual curiosity, creativity, and communication. The Dean of Students Award for Service was presented to Senior Medical Lab Science student Amber Howard recognizing meaningful service and contributions to improving the university community. Senior Psychology student Brynn Santi received the William and Josephine Balconi Community Service Award, which honors a student whose volunteer work has created a lasting and meaningful impact on the greater Houghton community.
The ceremony was attended by students, faculty, staff, and community members. For the full list of award winners, visit mtu.edu/student-affairs/interests/awards/current/.
