Student Activities & Leadership Development (SALD) held the first annual leadership awards ceremony on Thursday, April 20, in the Latour Room of Nazareth Hall. The awards featured host and juggler Ivan Pecel, who has appeared on “America’s Got Talent” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

A total of 26 faculty members were on the selection committee for 83 students, faculty and clubs nominated for the 12 different awards given to those who have shown strong leadership skills at Marywood.

A faculty member who has demonstrated leadership themselves presented each award, including Sr. Mary Persico, IHM, Ed. D., president of Marywood University.

“I’ve never had an award named after me, that’s cool,” said Persico.

Having prepared since last semester, Michael Kalage, a higher education administration graduate student and the SALD graduate assistant, wanted to show appreciation to those who work hard. Kalage said that he did not expect such a huge turnout for the event.

The awards and winners are as follows:
Award for Exceptional Leadership in Athletics — Brooke Labs Community Service Award — Nadine Burton and Field Hockey Team Sr. Mary Persico Emerging Leader Award — Harlow Alexander Outstanding Senior Leader — Maria Temples Outstanding Graduate Student — Cen Jiao Pacer Pride Award — Alexis Namyak and Gabrielle Creazzo Student Organization of the Year — Student Government Association Most Improved Student Organization — Public Relations Student Society of America Advisor of the Year — Antonia Cerda-Bevan Program of the Year — Mr. Marywood by the Music Therapy Club Fishbowl Award — Tyler Smith Sr. John Michele Award for Acceptance & Inclusion — Salma Ahmed

“I’m very excited and very thankful,” said Maria Temples, a senior nutrition and dietetics major and president of the Student Government Association, who received the Outstanding Senior Leader Award.

Antonia Cerda-Bevan, advisor to the Gateway program which offers tutoring and advising sessions, said she was humbled to receive the Advisor of the Year award.

“I love being with and working with students … on a daily basis. It makes me happy,” said Cerda-Bevan.

Kalage hopes Marywood University will continue to have the leadership awards ceremony in the future so more students, clubs and faculty can be appreciated for their hard work.

Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. Mary Jo Gunning, who presented the Award for Exceptional Leadership in Athletics, said “Life isn’t about finding yourself, life’s about creating yourself and that’s what leaders do.”

Contact the writer: [email protected]