Student Life Awards

2006 Recipients

Each spring the Rochester Center for Community Leadership recognizes undergraduate students and organizations that have made significant contributions to campus life. Nominated by faculty, staff, and peers, Student Life Award recipients represent diverse interests, talents, and accomplishments. Because of their leadership, engagement in on and off campus life, and positive influence over peers, our community is stronger now and in the future.

Individual Leadership Awards

Andrew Fried Prize: Lee Reis
Established by friends and family in 1961 in memory of Andrew Norman Fried, class of 1961. This prize is awarded to the man who, upon completion of his freshman year, has shown outstanding qualities of character, superior moral judgment, and interest in serving his fellow students.

Delno Sisson Prize: Nadine Nicholson
In 1957, this award was established by a gift from Delno Sisson, class of 1966. This prize is awarded annually to the freshman who has shown the most improvement not only in academic work, but also in adjusting to college life and the student body.

Award for Freshman Leadership: Yorda Yenenh
This award recognizes an exceptional man or woman of the freshman class who has motivated his or her fellow classmates to become actively involved in the campus community.

Eli & Mildred Sokol Prize: Gregory Meditz
This award was established in 1985 by a gift from Eli and Mildred Sokol, class of 1933. This prize is awarded to a sophomore who has emerged as a leader who can be expected to contribute significantly to the welfare of his or her fellow students in the next two years.

Award for Campus Contributions: Alexander Pearlman & Mona Koda
Two awards, one each presented to a junior and senior class member who has made significant contributions to the University community, including, but not limited to, campus life, academic achievement and leadership, and community service. The award winner will have promoted and demonstrated excellence in all aspects of their college experience.

Seth H. & Harriet Terry Prize: Jeffrey Keesing
Established in 1928 as a gift from Seth H. Terry, class of 1883 in memory of his parents. This award is given to the male member of the senior class who, by his industry, character and honorable conduct, has done the most for the life and character of the undergraduate community.

Percy Dutton Prize: Anthony Plonczynski
This prize was established in 1946 as a gift from Percy Dutton. This award is given to the male member of the graduating class who has excelled in "wholesome, unselfish and helpful influence" among his fellow students.

Transfer Student Award: Meghan Gilligan
This award, recognizing the unique role of transfer students to the campus community, is given to a student who transferred with sophomore standing or above, and has completed a full year of study at the University. The recipient will have demonstrated a quick, successful, and seamless transition to the institution and will have taken full advantage of his or her time spent at the University.

Award for Outstanding Fraternity and Sorority Leadership: Rachel Wiener
This award recognizes the positive contributions fraternities and sororities make to the campus community. It is awarded to a fraternity or sorority member who has led with integrity within their fraternal organization while also making significant contributions to the greater campus community.

Simeon Cheatham Award: Patricia Waters
Established in the 1970s by the Office of the Dean of Students to recognize outstanding University of Rochester students. This award is given to a student who has outstanding qualities in devotion to community service and to growth and development of children.

Rob Rouzer Award for Excellence in Student Government Leadership: Brian Metro
Established in honor of his 28 years of service to the University of Rochester, the Rob Rouzer Award is conferred annually to a student affiliated with either of the three branches of the Students' Association Government who has shown immense integrity and perseverance in striving to improve student life and welfare.

Award for Athletic Leadership: Kristen Leskow
This award recognizes the positive contributions athletes make to the campus community. It is awarded to a student athlete who has demonstrated leadership within their club or varsity sport while also making significant contributions to other aspects of campus life.

Presidential Award for Community Service: Nora Burton
Established by the Dean of Students in 1990 to recognize University students who are committed to community service. Given to a senior for outstanding participation and leadership in service to the community beyond the campus, this award recognizes a student who has worked selflessly and effectively in addressing social causes.  Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, improving literacy, reducing hunger and hopelessness, providing legal or medical assistance to the needy, and serving as a mentor.

Entrepreneurship Award: Patrick Harris and Eric Wisch
The award for entrepreneurship is given to a student, or group of students, who has turned an idea into a venture that benefited others. The recipient will have demonstrated individual initiative and knowledge through awareness of markets and attention to the needs of others.

Logan Hazen Award for Outstanding Contributions to Residential Life: Alexander Kucherov
This Award is given annually to the student who has "made significant contributions to the community and experience of students living in undergraduate residence halls. This student, through his or her actions, leadership, and innovation has promoted community through respect, fairness, and inclusion."

Ayman Amin-Salem Memorial: Vicente Ditto
The fund was established by the family of Ayman, a student in the Class of 1987, who died in an automobile accident. The prize is to be awarded to that member of the senior class who best evidences the qualities of good character and good citizenship, such as decency, reliability, responsibility, and congeniality. Preference may be given to students who also have an interest in biology or the biological sciences, art, writing or athletics. This award is coordinated through the Center for Academic Support.

Alice DeSimone Student Life Awards: Heather Good, Elizabeth Campisi, Ronnie Archie, Mike Bozzella, Jason Buitrago, Nathan Drahms, Jessica Kernan-Dudley, Carlo Fusco, Emily Josephson
Named in 1997 for Alice DeSimone, a member of the Office of the Dean of Students for 17 years, in recognition of her commitment and dedication to the University community and the guidance and support she provided to all students. This award is presented to students in recognition of their dedication, enthusiasm, collaboration, positive role-modeling, and contributions to co-curricular life at the University. Recipients of this award have been selected as examples for students to follow and particularly recognizes students whose contributions to student life may otherwise be overlooked.

Student Organization and Programming Awards

Excellence in Programming Award: Program: "UR Idol " Person: Susan B. Anthony Lower RA Staff
The Excellence in Programming Award recognizes a student organization or group, either formal or informal, for its exceptional creativity, planning, and execution of a University program. Criteria upon which decisions are based include appeal to a broad cross-section of the University community, originality, and participation by members of the organization during all phases of the effort.

Outstanding Student Organization Award: Messenger Magazine
Awarded to a student organization that has gone beyond the bounds of their membership by helping to create a positive campus environment for all students.

Award for Excellence in Creative Co-sponsorship: Program: "Jambalaya" Groups: Hurricane Relief Organizations and The College
This award recognizes a program that was co-sponsored by a minimum of two organizations or groups. The cosponsored program should have been a new effort, one that brought together different facets of campus, and which served to build and strengthen the campus community.