In recognition of outstanding student leaders and student organizations at the University of Wisconsin, the annual Buckys Award Ceremony celebrated student involvement on Monday.
Dean of Students Lori Berquam served as the keynote speaker at the dinner, speaking on the ceremony’s theme of “Leadership’s Print: Past and Present.”
Berquam’s speech focused on the importance of leadership and involvement for students on and off campus. She also emphasized the divisions between the past, present and the future for the student leaders.
“I know the theme today is past and present, but I want to add in future. Our past, your past, is important because it informs the present and I believe it will contribute to the future,” Berquam said.
She also read various inspirational quotes, including two by former UW President Charles Van Hise, that emphasized the importance of leadership, community and how students on the UW campus can truly make a difference.
Berquam mentioned three important “I’s” she wanted students to remember: inspiration, integrity, and impact. She explained inspiration to be something everyone should think about when leading, integrity to be what a person stands for and impact as what one wants his or her legacy to be.
“You are leaders everywhere you go,” she said. “We have the past, we have celebrated the present with so many awards tonight, and you are the future.”
Berquam also reminded students not to think about the things they have not done yet, but to remember to reflect on what they have already accomplished so far.
After her speech, Berquam awarded the winner of the Dean’s Award of Excellence, which is presented to the organization that excels in three pillars: the Wisconsin Experience, discovery and innovation. The award went to campus group Slow Food this year.
The first award of the night, the Individual Leadership Award, was given to student Shawn Harris for his demonstration of leadership and involvement on the UW campus and surrounding community.
The award honors outstanding student leaders who have demonstrated their leadership through outstanding initiative, meaningful involvement and a measurable influence on students, citizens or programming.
The Best New Student Organization was also awarded to She’s the First.
Kevin Pickett, internal affairs and development coordinator at the Student Leadership Program, praised She’s the First’s accomplishments.
“This organization had two big events, including a Cupcakes for Cause bake sale and a showing of the documentary ‘Half the Sky’ while also having over fifty members in their first semester on campus,” Pickett said. “They had over 50 members in their first semester on campus, and I’m sure they will continue to grow.”
She’s the First is a nonprofit organization that sponsors girls’ education in developing countries so they can be the first in their families to graduate from schools.
