WESTFIELD – Leaders do many things that set themselves apart from others. They take responsibility, take risks, put others before themselves, and aren’t afraid to tackle difficult situations. Westfield State University (WSU) recognized eight students for their leadership and service to both the university and the community. Each student was recognized with the President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership in a ceremony held on Friday, December 4 in Scanlon Banquet Hall.
The President’s Award of Excellence in Leadership was created in 2007 and can be awarded to any eligible student. A committee comprised of 12 faculty and peers review all applications. To be eligible for the award, students can be nominated by a professor, but all must complete an application process including an essay about the community service they have done and how it has impacted their future goals.
The students selected this year include seven seniors and one junior with an average GPA of 3.73. Each of this year’s winners participates in a wide range of on- and off-campus activities.
Communication major Evelyn Dina ’16 of Sutton, Mass. is president of Student Government Association. She recently served as the student representative to the Westfield State University Presidential Search Committee. She has volunteered at the National Suicide Prevention Walk, the Samaritan Inn, and through her position as Student Ambassador, she serves as a COMPASS mentor for a student at Littleville Elementary School.
Dina said that through her role in SGA she has developed confidence as a leader, which is a mark she hopes to imprint on other students.
“I have impacted my colleagues by stressing the importance of their voice,” Dina said. “I continue to strive towards sharing my passion for student leadership and hope to encourage all students to do the same before my time is finished here at Westfield State University.”
Elementary education and liberal studies double major Emily Ellis ’16 of Northborough, Mass. is co-president of the Westfield State University Dance Company, a member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honors Society, and Active Minds, a student-run group that works to erase the stigma of mental illness on campus. She has volunteered at Making Strides, an annual walk in Stanley Park, Relay for Life, and Rays of Hope.
Ellis said her experience directing the Dance Company helped her learn to accept constructive criticism.
“I learned to understand that members’ dissatisfactions were not necessarily a reflection of myself as a leader,” Ellis said. “I learned to take into consideration various feedback from various members and to then put that towards future choices and actions.”
English and education double major Travon Godette ’16 of Orange, Mass. is a member of the Westfield State Football and Track teams. He is a member of two honor societies: Sigma Tau Delta and Kappa Delta Pi. He is a Training Active Bystanders (T.A.B.) Delegate and serves as an editor for Persona, the university’s literary magazine. He has volunteered for the Special Olympics Football Assessment, the Boys and Girls Club 5K, and Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen in Chicopee.
Godette said his leadership skills stem from serving as a role model for his younger siblings.
“There was a lot of pressure knowing my siblings always looked up to me, but that pressure pushed me to be all that I could be and it still pushes me to succeed today,” Godette said. “I am confident enough in how I have helped raise them to know that they have the tools they need to prosper.”
Criminal justice and political science double major Ryan Losco ’16 of North Andover, Mass. is president of the Class of 2016, a member of Student Government Association, and serves as co-chair of the Student Conduct Board. He volunteered at New Student Orientation and was instrumental in organizing One Mission Kid’s Cancer Buzz-Off events on campus which has raised thousands of dollars for children with cancer and their families.
Losco said his experience leading the Class of 2016 as president helped him realize that true leaders are team players.
“I learned that dividing and conquering large and complicated tasks was much more productive and effective than taking on all the work on your own,” Losco said. “I also learned that in crisis, the leader is the captain of the ship, whom must maintain control and trust his or her instincts.”
Social work major Jennifer Mitchell ’16 of South Hadley, Mass. is historian of the Student Honors Advisory Council, co-president of the Phi Alpha Honors Society, and vice president of the Social Wellbeing Advocacy Group. She previously served as a teaching assistant and as a student advisor for the Emilee Dawn Gagnon Memorial Scholarship Fundraising Committee. She has volunteered at the Westfield Soup Kitchen, at Wingate Health Center as a social service volunteer, and at the Amherst Survival Center.
Mitchell strengthened her leadership skills during her role as vice president for Lambda Sigma.
“As a social work major, my passion to help others in need translated well to Lambda Sigma’s mission to foster leadership through community action,” Mitchell said. “By evoking passion and strength into this setting, I helped make the group effectively work together to achieve success in a common goal.”
Nursing major Andrew Morin ’17 of Clinton, Mass. is president of the Class of 2017 and serves as a senator on Student Government Association. He is vice president of the Musical Theatre Guild and is a student representative on the Alumni Association. Morin has volunteered at the Special Olympics Summer Games, as a Junior Staff Member and Medical Assistant at the Massachusetts Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar, and at American Red Cross Blood Drives on campus.
Morin’s leadership skills were put to the test when he learned that due to budget cuts, Musical Theatre Guild was going to have to raise money to produce their spring show, which had traditionally been fully funded.
“I knew I had to act immediately and I have learned just how well I work under pressure,” Morin said. “Rather than sulking, blaming, or worrying, I made a positive change by taking an obstacle and presenting it as an opportunity.”
English and education double major Lauren Nastari ’16 of Andover, Mass. serves as editor-in-chief of Persona and is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta and Kappa Delta Pi National Honor Societies. She serves on the Student Honors Advisory Council, the Student National Education Association (SNEA) and is a member of Positive Inclusion of Everyone Creates Academic Success (PIECES). She represents the English and education departments at Westfield State open houses, volunteers at Run Stanley, and works with students in the Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (ICE) Program as a peer mentor.
Nastari said her experience with Persona helped her come into her own in a leadership role.
“Through my experience of leading Persona, I am learning how to share strategies for improving writing and reading skills and strategies for including and listening to many advisors and club members,” Nastari said. “These skills are helping me grow into a better teacher and a better person.”
Criminal justice and psychology double major Sara Palis ’16 of Lancaster, Mass. is a member of Student Government Association, the Student Conduct Board, the Class of 2016 Council, and the Curriculum Committee. She volunteers at the Westfield Samaritan Inn, as a student presenter at the White Oak School in Westfield, and as a peer mentor both for a student at Littleville Elementary School and a student in the Westfield State Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment (ICE) Program at Westfield State.
Palis said that the key to being a competent leader is listening to everyone, which she learned during her time in SGA.
“The biggest obstacle I faced was how to get business done and how to make the tough decisions. I learned quickly that making the tough decisions meant not ruling with an iron fist, but rather cooperative collaboration between clubs and the Rules and Regulations Committee.”
The students were awarded at a dinner banquet and were presented with plaques designating their honor. For more information about the President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership, contact Susan Lamontagne at 572-5425.
