Student Life

All nominations must be received with the nomination form and a letter of recommendation explaining why the nominee should be considered for the award and how they meet the qualifications. Any supporting documentation or letters of support which will aid the committee in their decision process should also be attached.  Award recipients can be nominated by a staff or a faculty member, another student, or themselves.  All nominations must be delivered to the the Gates Center for Leadership and Personal Growth, Mohr Student Center, by April 12, 2007 no later than 5:00 p.m. 

Rising Star Award
This award is for the first year student leader who has shown tremendous growth over the past academic year, and is an emerging leader in the Lake Forest College community.  The nominee should be an active member of at least one registered student organization, be respected by their peers, and should demonstrate leadership potential at the College.  A minimum of a 2.75 GPA is required for this nominee.  The 2007 Rising Star Award went to first-year Justin Messmore.

Make A Difference Award 
Awarded to up to one student who has committed their time, energy and resources to making a difference volunteering in the community.  Demonstrating their passion to serve others is an important quality this nominee should possess.  This nominee should have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.  Participating in one or more service-oriented activities that total at least 50 hours for the 2006-2007 academic year is required.  The 2007 Make A Difference Award went to senior Ethan Helm.

Social Justice Award 
Awarded to one student or organization that has shown a concern for underrepresented groups, and has improved the lives of others with regard to social justice issues.  Students who endeavor to build upon and advance human relations concerning race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, nationality, gender or any other area related to social justice should be nominated for this award.  Examples of programmatic efforts and outreach activities, as well as at least a 2.75 GPA are required for students to be nominated for this award.  The 2007 Social Justice Award went to junior Elizabeth Milligan.

Student Organization of the Year Award
This award recognizes outstanding contributions to the Lake Forest College community by a registered student organization. Student organizations will be reviewed on membership, recruitment, programming and service.  Organizations who have collaborated with other organizations, academic departments, or offices are prime candidates for this award.  Organizations nominated must be registered with the the Gates Center for Leadership and Personal Growth.  To be eligible they must have an advisor, a roster and procedural guidelines registered with the the Gates Center for Leadership and Personal Growth.  Organizations should include supporting documentation of the nomination such as pictures, flyers, program descriptions, and letters of support.  Students Educating Students received the 2007 award for Student Organization of the Year.

Student Leader of the Year Award
Through their leadership skills and initiative, nominees have made a significant impact on the Lake Forest community throughout the past academic year.  Nominees will have influenced the development and mentoring of future leaders of Lake Forest.  He/she must have demonstrated examples of outstanding service to others and within the community.  Award recipients will be selected based on breadth and depth of involvement and leadership in co-curricular activities, including: membership and leadership of College-sponsored student organizations, leadership in an employment role on campus, service in the community, involvement in professional, academic, and leadership development experiences, and the overall impact on campus life and learning for students.  Recipients must have at least a 2.75 GPA.  Each recipient will be presented an individual plaque, and her or his name will be placed on a plaque in the Office of Student Activities.  Senior Chelsea Ledoux received the award for Student Leader of the Year.

Community Builder Award
Open to all students. This award is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions towards building a strong campus community. This student will have been a positive, motivating role model on campus for other students. They will have worked to link fellow Lake Forest College students more closely with the campus fostering a continuous positive environment of the campus community.  This nominee should have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.  Senior Doug Adolph recieved the Community Builder Award.

Outstanding Program Award
Open to all students and student organizations
This award is presented to an organization or individual who has facilitated an exemplary educational on-campus program. This program should include clear goals and budget outlines.  The winner of the Outstanding Program Award went to International Student Organization for International Week.

Greek-letter Organization Person of the Year
This award is presented the Greek-letter student leader who has made the most significant overall contribution to the Greek community and to the College community during the year and throughout their Greek career. The nominee must be in good standing with their organization’s chapter/nationals and promote unity within the Greek community. The nominee must have been a member of and active in their Greek organization at minimum the equivalent of one academic year. The nominee must be active in community service and should hold other leadership role(s) on campus. The nominee must have no formal record of discipline and possess a high academic record.

Each chapter can nominate one member of their organization for this award. This nominee should have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA.

The 2007 Greek Person of the Year was senior Katy Burroughs.

Advisor of the Year Award
This award will be presented to an advisor who has contributed significant time, energy, and resources outside of her/his job at the College to a registered student organization.  This recipient should actively mentor the students within the organization, and be someone to whom the students look for support, direction, and effective representation of the College.  Through his/her work with the organization, this nominee should cultivate the leadership of the members.  The 2007 recipient of the Advisor of the Year Award was Heidi Vrankin.

Commitment to Student Development Award
Open to Faculty and Staff. This award will be presented to an outstanding faculty and staff member who has fostered an environment of student development though out the academic year. The recipient will have challenged students to step outside their comfort zone and learn about themselves and the Lake Forest College community though knowledge and understanding. The recipient will have set clear and ambitious standards for students to aspire towards.  Kent Grote received the 2007 Commitment to Student Development Award.

 Recipients for all awards are selected by the Student Leadership Awards Committee.