Lake County Gazette

The Gates Center honored individual student leaders, student organizations, and faculty leaders at the 2025 Leadership Awards Ceremony. This year's awards were presented to students, faculty, and student organizations.

The ceremony took place in Calvin Durand Hall on Monday, April 28. With opening remarks from Interim Vice President of Campus Life Ed Whipple and awards presented by staff members of the Office of Student Affairs, the event brought together various corners of campus and included a reception afterward for all in attendance.

Honorees were nominated by the campus community and selected by committees composed of faculty, staff, and students. Congratulations to this year's recipients:

- The Alpha Sigma Kappa Class of 1938 Memorial Prize: Chris Meza ’25

- The Commitment to Campus Well Being Award: Ava Linnenberg ’28

- The Commitment to Student Development Award: Shubhik DebBurman, Disque D. and Carol Gram Deane Professor of Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Neuroscience

- The Community Builder Award: Keisha William ’27

- The Jacob Wardwell Edwards Prize: Sofia Reese ’27

- The Make a Difference Award: Shellane Shettleworth ’26

- Peter C. Clute Award for Outstanding Character: Dayyan Fundi ’28

- The Rising Star Award: Jillian Beaster ’28

- The Student Leader of the Year Award: Shellane Shettleworth ’26

- The Student Organization President of the Year Award: Josiah Kidd ’25

- The Anita Chen Li ’51 International Student Prize: Giovanni Nicolicchia ’27

- \The Edward H. Oppenheimer Memorial Prize:\ Kate Kiameh ’25

- \The Edward H. Oppenheimer Memorial Prize:\ Margaret Bugnacki ’25

- Collaborative Effort of the Year:

Eid Celebration--Muslim Students Association,

South Asian Students Association,

Arab Students Association

- Outstanding Program of the Year:

One World--International Student Association

- Student Organization of the Year:

International Student Association

- Advisor of the Year:

Beth Clemmensen--Visiting Instructor in Business