University of Mary Washington senior Brittany Greene was presented with the Grace Mann Launch Award at the annual Eagle Awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 12, in the University Center’s Chancellor Ballroom.
The recognition was one of more than a dozen awards given to honor campus leaders in a range of domains and activities.
Cedric Rucker, associate vice president and dean of Student Life, presented the $7,500 award to Greene as a springboard for launching her social justice advocacy. Last year, University’s Board of Visitors established the Grace Mann Launch Award in memory of the junior student leader and social activist who died in April 2015.
The honor is bestowed on a graduating senior who is active in organizations promoting social justice, equality and social change; who advocates for victims of sexual assault or prejudice; and who exemplifies a commitment to improving the lives of others through the change of attitudes, behaviors, laws, policies or institutions. The award is intended to provide funds to help launch the recipient into their post-college life as they pursue their goals and promote equality and/or advocate for victims.
Greene serves on the UMW Honor Council, Judicial Review Board and the Multicultural Leadership Committee. A peer mentor, she is a TEAL sexual assault peer educator and vice-president of the Black Student Association. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society, Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society and Mortar Board, and has appeared twice on the Dean’s List, and three times on the President’s List. An active volunteer within the community, Greene has assisted with Red Cross blood drives, Micah Ecumenical Ministries, Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank and has been a Move-in Crew volunteer. Upon graduation, Brittany plans to attend graduate school to pursue a degree in criminology.
The Prince Woodard Awards for leadership are presented annually to students who have demonstrated excellence as leaders at UMW, contributors to the greater community, and persons of honor and integrity.
Sophomore Natalie LeMay was presented with the Prince Woodard Emerging Leader Award, which is presented to a rising sophomore, junior or senior who has already made a difference, with the goal of encouraging even greater leadership in the future. LeMay received an award of $500.
Jackie Khawand, president of UMW’s Honor Council, described LeMay as a natural leader who has set a high bar for others to meet.
“She has excelled at advising students, always meeting deadlines early and going beyond the call of duty,” said Khawand. “Her advisees were always well prepared for hearings and demonstrated knowledge of the Honor System because of her guidance.”
Zaire Sprowal received the Prince Woodard Outstanding Leader Award, given to a graduating senior who has made a substantial impact on campus and beyond, while exemplifying the values of honor, leadership and service. Sprowal received an award of $1,000.
“During his time at UMW, Zaire has worked hard as an active participant in organizations and initiatives focusing on civic engagement, multicultural education and social justice activism,” said Marion Sanford, director of UMW’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. “As a physics major, his academics were always rigorous; but he always made time to be an activist whenever he was needed.”
Sprowal is recipient of the 2015-16 Citizenship Award for Diversity Leadership. A member of the varsity crew team, he has served as vice president of the Framar/International Living Community and chair of the Student Government Association’s Diversity and Unity Coordinating Committee in 2015 and 2016. Sprowal has been an active participant for diversity forums and dialogues, including the Black Lives Matter Vigil, the Victims of Violence Memorial event and discussions on the negative impact that social media forums can have on UMW’s campus community.
The following students were recognized as Who’s Who winners: Zoya Ahmed, Michael Barnes, Kadie Bennis, Lanieta Budi, Ethan Carter, Alexander W. Clegg, Caitriona Cobb, Emily Ferguson, Sophia Hamdan, Grace Henry, Danielle Howard, Mariam Khan, Brittany Greene, Jacqueline Khawand, Katelynn Matragrano, David Lewis Mercer, Kelsey Marie Stanbro, Sierra N. Turner and Natascha Leonie Hoffarth Zelloe.
Christopher Flurry received the Clara Boyd Wheeler Award, presented to a graduating senior who exemplifies grace, a spirit of service and the ability to change lives.
Kyra Watkins received the Elizabeth M. Baumgarten Leadership Award for outstanding service to the university and community.
Justin Rice received the Bachelor of Leadership Studies Award, which recognizes a student enrolled in the BLS program for academic excellence as well as outstanding citizenship.
Danielle Howard received the Alex Naden Award. Alex Naden was a senior class officer and member of the rugby team who graduated from Mary Washington College in 2003 and lost his life in an accident in 2003. The award is presented to a student who best embodies the character that Alex personified.
Recipients of other leadership awards were:
Caitriona Cobb, Alumni Award
Brittany Greene, Alumni Service Award
Kadie Bennis, Campus Contributor
Molly Miller, Unsung Hero
Tiffany Lower, Leader in Service
Jacqueline Khawand, Leader in Honor
John Karellas, Outstanding Treasurer
Abby Brethauer, senior lecturer and head coach for UMW’s swim team, was presented with the Giving Tree Award, which recognizes faculty or staff who a student feels has contributed significantly to the mission of the university through their work directly with students.
The following programs were presented with program awards:
Outstanding Diversity Program: Jewish Cultural Celebration Keynote by Jewish Student Association
Outstanding Small Scale Program: Peace Gathering by the House Episcopal and Lutheran Ministry
Outstanding Large Scale Program: Big Show by Performing Arts Club
The following organizations were presented with organization awards:
Outstanding New Club: Accounting Club
Collaborative Partnership Award: Campus Programming Board and Class Council
Outstanding Community Service: Students Helping Honduras
Sport Club Service: Club Softball
Outstanding Overall Achievement for an Athletic Team: Women’s Volleyball
Outstanding Overall Achievement for a Club or Organization: Campus Programming Board