by Jazmine Ponce
Staff Writer
The annual L.E.A.D. banquet, following the theme “L.E.A.D. Above and Beyond,” was held Tuesday at Mountain Meadows Country Club, in Pomona.
The afternoon included a series of organizational and individual awards, a raffle and a variety of fun for faculty and students.
The awards ceremony, organized by Kate Mueller, director of student development, recognized the important programs offered by various clubs, organizations and program assistants at the University of La Verne this year.
President Stephen Morgan and Dr. Loretta Rahmani, dean of student affairs, presented each award, beginning with the Organizational Awards.
The organizational awards were given to the organizations which sponsored the most effective programs in educational, creative, philanthropic, social and diversity.
The Associated Student Federation (ASF) Forum’s Ugly Shirt Bowl-A-Thon won for outstanding creative program. Iota Delta Sorority, ASF, Student Affairs and the President’s Office shared the honor of winning the award for outstanding educational program for sponsoring date rape speaker Katie Koestner during Women’s History Month in March.
The award for Outstanding Philanthropic Program was given to the Latino Student Form for its sponsorship of “Kiss the Pig.” ASF was awarded Outstanding Social Program for the second year in a row for Monte Carlo Night. International Week, sponsored by the International Student Organization (ISO) and ASF, won for Outstanding Diversity Program.
“I was very pleased, because it [International Week] was a lot of hard work and I was glad to see the students get awarded for their efforts.
“It was nice to see all the students recognized for all the hard work they put in,” said Marcy Garcia, ISO adviser.
The next group of awards were given to individuals who expressed leadership throughout the year. Abel Sanchez, senior, won an award of recognition for Outstanding Effective Leadership. Freshman Mario Guerrero was awarded the Outstanding Freshman Leadership Award, which goes to the freshman who expresses potential for continued leadership with ULV.
“The awards banquet was a really fun experience. Winning the outstanding freshman leader award was a great honor for me. It tells me that I have been successfully doing my job in the leadership positions that I hold,” said Guerrero.
Senior Andrew Bills was honored with the Outstanding Member Award for his work with ASF throughout the year.
The Outstanding L.E.A.D. Adviser award was given to the adviser who has given reliable support, positive values and ideal to the organization. This year’s recipient was Don Morel, adviser of Iota Delta.
Alma Barrera was the recipient of the L.E.A.D.er award, an award given out each year to the senior who has shown effective leadership skills and responsibilities throughout his/her years at ULV.
Following the award presentation, students with raffle tickets were able to win prizes ranging from ULV items, such as a portable phone and a compact disc player.
“The L.E.A.D. Awards Banquet is always a great celebration of our student leaders and advisers. It is wonderful to recognize all the student leaders All the awards are nominated and voted by students leaders and their peers,” said Mueller.
Journalism operations manager at the University of La Verne. Production manager and business manager of the Campus Times.
