From left to right: Westfield State University President Evan S. Dobelle, Eric Tuvell, Christopher Lewis, Erica Stephens, Nicole Morin, Brittany Moniz, Yezenia Santos, Jaime Jaquez, Victoria Downs, and Robert Donoghue. (Photo submitted)
WESTFIELD- Westfield State University (WSU) recognized nine students for their contribution to the university in leadership roles and in service to the university and the community. Each student was recognized with the President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership in a ceremony held on Friday November 30th in Scanlon Banquet Hall.
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.
“Empowering those around you through service is the very definition of leadership,” said Westfield State University President Evan S. Dobelle. “What these students have learned and accomplished both in and out of the classroom will shape their futures and hopefully inspire others.”
The nine students selected this year are all juniors or seniors with an average GPA of 3.74. 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.
Each of this year’s winners participate in a wide range of on- and off-campus activities.
Political Science and Communication double major Robert Donoghue ’13 of Middleboro, MA is an editor of the university newspaper The Voice, a member of the Communication Club, The Law Club, Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Honor Society, and Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society. Donoghue volunteers by setting up for Relay for Life in Mansfield, and at the Samaritan Inn in Westfield. Donohue said that community service help him stabilize his future goals.
“While attending law school and working as a lawyer is my plan for the future, involvement in community service and connecting with those who may be less fortunate has strengthened my future goal of being a public defender so that I can work with indigent defendants to ensure that they receive proper legal aid.”
Communication major Victoria Downs ’13 of Hull, MA is a WSU Student Ambassador, A Resident Assistant (RA) and a new student and parent orientation leader. Downs is a member of the Lambda Pi Eta and Lambda Sigma honor societies. She participated in WSU HOOT (Helping Out Our Town) Day, Birthday Wishes in Holyoke, and on campus at blood drives.
Downs’ leadership skills were ignited when she became an orientation leader on campus, and she hopes to keep that spark in her professional life.
“I found my place at Westfield State through my experience as an orientation leader,” Downs said. “I saw what it meant to be a leader not only for the first year students, but also for this campus and what it represents. I think that my desire to lead and inspire others will stay with me throughout my future endeavors and hopefully inspire others to keep working towards their goals and become stronger leaders.”
Criminal Justice major Jaime Jaquez ’12 of Worcester, MA is a math tutor in the Urban Education department on campus as well as a member of the Westfield State University Honor Program, Criminal Justice Club, and treasurer of the Latino Association for Empowerment (LAFE). Jaquez has been involved in any community service efforts on campus including HOOT Day, First Year Convocation, and in the Admissions department where he gave a speech to first year students and parents at the First Year Acceptance Day. Jaquez said the speech helped him the importance one person can make.
“The reward I received was great and not tangible,” Jaquez said. “It was the thought of knowing that I had motivated over 500 students to want to come to Westfield State and make a difference as I was slowly doing.”
Political Science and Communication major Brittany Moniz ’14 of Leominster, MA is a member of the 2014 Class Council, Campus Activities Board (CAB), Student Government Association (SGA) an RA and a Student Ambassador. Moniz has participated in HOOT Day, two years of blood drives on campus, and most recently volunteered at Glide Memorial Church in the Daily Meals Program in San Francisco, CA for two weeks in January.
Moniz said her work as an RA helped her break out of her shell and develop a sense of pride.
“I learned a lot about myself as a result of stepping out of my comfort zone to perform some of the required duties. It is truly a rewarding experience to facilitate a sense of community among a group of people and be exposed to a variety of personalities.”
Criminal Justice and Political Science double major Christopher Lewis ’13 of Revere, MA is chairman of the Student Conduct Board, President of the Wounded Warriors Club, a UMASS PD Police Cadet, and a reserve policeman for the Wells, ME police department. He is involved in a number of volunteer efforts both on and off campus including the Westfield Boys and Girls Club, St. Baldrick’s Organization, and the Special Olympics Maine.
“I have firsthand seen the difference a police officer can make in someone’s life,” Lewis said. “I have no doubt I will continue my community oriented approach in my policing philosophy and hope to be looked at as a true leader in the community throughout my career.”
Economics and Business major Nicole Morin ’13 of Boylston, MA is an RA, Orientation Leader, a member of the Student Activists for Gender Equality, a member of Students Today Respecting Individuals of Various Experiences (STRIVE), a WDU Dance Company choreographer, and a radio host at the campus station WSKB.
Morin participated in the Habitat for Humanity Alternative Spring Break, the Stomp and Holler walk, the “Take Back the Campus” walk, organized a “Letters for Soldiers” event, and organized a Westfield State team for the Rays of Hope walk to promote cancer awareness in October.
“My involvements at Westfield State have shaped my life by allowing me to become a confident, extroverted, charismatic person,” Morin said. “I now feel that I am a leader with the power to inspire others towards my goals.”
Westfield resident Yezenia Santos with Westfield State University President Evan S. Dobelle. (Photo submitted)
Psychology and Spanish major Yezenia Santos ’13 of Westfield, MA is student assistant in the Multicultural Office, an Open House tour guide, a tutor for Spanish and psychology, Counselor for Dan Kane’s Enrichment Camp, and treasurer of Alcohol Choices Education. Santos volunteers locally at the WSAA golf tournament, HOOT Day, Stanley Park, an anti-bullying walk in Springfield, and as a basketball coach for the Westfield Park and Rec.
Santos said her experience as an orientation leader and an RA helped her develop necessary skills that will apply to her career.
“I gained self-confidence, leadership skills, and responsibility,” Santos said. “It has given me a sense of identity, a feeling of belonging and acceptance. I want to continue my role as a leader and helping others, and following a counseling career path will help me get there.”
Elementary Education and Liberal Studies major Erica Stephens ’13 of Enfield, CT is a co vice-president of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, vice-president and editor of the Student National Education Association (SNEA), the implementer and coordinator of the “Littles and Bigs” Mentor/Mentoree Program, and regularly teaches Sunday and Bible School. Stephens has volunteered at Read Across America, 3K Birthday Wishes Walk, Westfield State Accepted Students Day, and the Samarian Inn Homeless Shelter.
“Every activity I have been involved in has made me feel comfortable interacting with others in various social settings,” Stephens said. “These involvements have shaped me into someone who is no longer extremely shy and made me feel more prepared for my future of leading a classroom. The most important goal I have for my future is to become an elementary school teacher and knowing the traits that make a good leader will help me figure out the role I need to play.”
Nursing and Allied Health major Eric Tuvell ’14 of Reading, MA is a teaching assistant in the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic Class, a tutor in the Banacos Academic Center, vice-president of the Nursing Class of 2014, and assists university nursing students with CPR Certification and Clarification. Tuvell volunteers with the WSU Emergency Medical Services club and the Western Massachusetts Medical Reserve Corps.
“All of the experiences I have had at Westfield State have helped shape me as a person,” Tuvell said. “Through learning, teaching, self-evaluation, and peer and instructor evaluation, all of the experiences and people involved have helped make me a stronger, better person and medical and nursing provider. All of this will help me attain my career goals as well as my social and personal ones.”
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.
