Esteemed faculty, students and family members came together to celebrate the Student Leadership Awards on Tuesday night in the CUB Senior Ballroom.
One of the awards is the prestigious President’s Award, which has been presented since 1996 to about 45 students each year, or 1 percent of the nominations, said Connan Campbell, director of Student Involvement.
The award is meant to honor undergraduate and graduate students who have displayed leadership and service at WSU and within the community, according to the Cougar Leadership Program website.
The sport club awards recognize Sport Club of the Year, Sportsmanship and Club Member of the Year, according to the website.
“It was really beneficial for all the clubs to come together and be integrated into the leadership awards,” said Andrew Efronson, vice president of the Men’s Hockey Club Team.
Sport clubs like women’s rugby, women’s polo, as well as men's and women’s lacrosse attended the event. The sportsmanship award went to senior anthropology major Rachel Sullivan, who is on the women’s polo team.
“All my actions were meant for the team, everything I do is for the club,” said Scott Darragh, sport club member of the year and junior communication major.
Darragh said he wants to leave WSU with a winning ice hockey team and try to get the community involved because the team's main goal next year is to propose an ice hockey rink.
The RSO awards are for Outstanding Adviser, Outstanding Organization, Educational IMPACT and Philanthropic impact, according to the website.
Other organizations that were recognized during the event included the Voices of Planned Parenthood (VOX), Circle K International and the Muslim Student Association.
“The question all organizations should be asking is how am I creating opportunities for other students at Washington State University,” ASWSU President Riley Myklebust said.
“I try to empower other students as well as myself to set a good example for my fellow Cougs,” senior communication major and award winnder Danielle Gilbertson said. “I try to create a positive light on all the organizations that I am in.”
Associate Director of UREC Joanne Greene said it was a real honor to be a part of the celebration of the great leadership that is found at the university.
Also during the event, Kyle Erdman and Derrick Skaug took the oath of office in the inauguration of 2012-2013 ASWSU presidency and vice presidency.
“I have huge footsteps to follow and I'm honored to work with this year’s senate,” Skaug said.
Erdman said their passions for WSU and being Cougs will push them every day.
“No one can control your path from here and the beautiful thing about WSU is the education you get outside of class,” Erdman said.
