Eagle Awards Recognize Out-of-this-World Dedication to Community and Excellence

University of Mary Washington Vice President for Student Affairs Juliette Landphair summed up the spirit of this year’s Eagle Awards ceremony with a quote from the epic space saga Star Wars.

“Good intentions aren’t enough,” Landphair said, quoting Princess Leia during the April 17 event. “They’re not meaningless, but that’s where we have to start. Not where we end.”

The annual Eagle Awards honors stellar students, staff, programs and organizations for their commitment to community service, citizenship, philanthropy, academic excellence and more. Held in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom just weeks before hundreds of seniors cross the Ball Circle stage for Commencement, this year’s ceremony recognized nearly two dozen winners culled from more than 140 nominations. It was presented by Student Activities and Engagement, the Center for Community Engagement and Campus Recreation.

With nearly 2,500 individuals attending at least one on-campus event this year, UMW is perhaps the most energetic she’s seen it, said Landphair, who recalled happening upon a crowd cheering on Lightsaber Duels in the Amphitheater. The group, which creates community through a shared love of Star Wars, is one of more than 150 Mary Washington student organizations.

Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Melissa Jones (right) hugs UMW senior Martina Nicholson, who not only co-hosted Eagle Awards but also won the night’s most coveted honor, the Grace Mann Launch Award. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

UMW senior Martina Nicholson not only co-hosted the Eagle Awards ceremony but also won the most coveted honor of the evening, the Grace Mann Launch Award. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

“From community service to planning events to bettering our campus; the amount of involvement we have from students speaks to the amazing Eagles that we have,” said Kai Otero, a senior known for her front-facing role as host of the popular Mary Wash Mic Talks. She kept the evening event rolling through back-and-forth banter with co-host Martina Nicholson, winner of this year’s coveted Grace Mann Launch Award, reserved for graduating seniors committed to improving lives by affecting change.

Juliette Landphair speaks of the extraordinary excitement she’s seen on campus this year, while co-hosts and UMW seniors Martina Nicholson (far left) and Kai Otero (middle) listen on, during the annual Eagle Awards presentation. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Participants in COAR’s Head Start Gift Box Drive pose after the initiative was named the Clara Boyd Wheeler Outstanding Community Service Program at this year’s Eagle Awards. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Vice President for Student Affairs Juliette Landphair presents the Prince Woodard Outstanding Leader Award to Shadwick Yoder. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Bachelor of Liberal Studies Associate Director Kristen Fairbanks presents UMW senior Justin Whoerle with the UMW Alumni Association Distinguished Bachelor of Liberal Studies Award. Whoerle was the first winner of the award to complete degree requirements completely online. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees presents UMW senior Max Steinbaum with the Elizabeth M. Baumgarten Service Award. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Center for Career and Professional Development Student Experience Manager Emily Burke (right) poses with UMW senior Knox McKinley after he was presented with the Life After Mary Washington Champion Award for students. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

A double major in both philosophy, and communication and digital studies, Nicholson has served as a Student Government Association senator, Inter-Club Association president and University Communications intern. She’s held roles as a Washington Guide, Orientation leader, peer mentor and student alumni ambassador. And she’s the recipient of the Marjorie Jean Frost ’44, Sylvia McJilton Woodcock ’61 and Dr. George Van Sant scholarships, along with the Penelope Ann Parrish Internship in Journalism.

Perhaps, most poignantly, Nicholson pursued a Fund for Mary Washington Impact Grant, working tirelessly to ensure access to menstrual supplies in public restrooms on campus.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and James Farmer Multicultural Center Director Marion Sanford (right) presents UMW senior Morgan Lewellen with the James Farmer Defining a Legacy Award. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

UMW senior Drew Meisenheimer received the Alex Naden Award during the recent Eagle Awards ceremony, held in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Rappahannock Scholars Program Counselor Shanita Mitchell (right) presents the Gwen Hale Giving Tree Award to Associate Provost for Community Relations and Compliance Shavonne Shorter. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Melissa Jones poses with UMW senior Christopher Anderson, one of three award-recipients who won the In the Wings Award during the Eagle Awards ceremony. Associate Athletic Director Caitlin Moore and Assistant Director of New Student Programs Lillian Lester also won the In the Wings Award. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Melissa Jones (right) poses with Assistant Director of New Student Programs Lillian Lester, one of three winners who received the In the Wings Award. UMW senior Christopher Anderson and Associate Athletic Director Caitlin Moore, who was not present for the event, also won the In the Wings Award. Photo by Karen Pearlman.Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Center for Career and Professional Development Student Experience Manager Emily Burke (right) presents Assistant Director of Marketing and Social Media Manager Sam Cahill with the Life After Mary Washington Award for faculty and staff. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Melissa Jones (right) presents Residence Life and Housing Area Coordinator Laura Gilchrist-March with the Cedric Rucker Eagle Beyond Compare Award for faculty and staff. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

“From the moment she arrived at UMW, she’s been a quiet force of transformation,” said Dean of Students and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Melissa Jones, who presented Nicholson with the award. “The kind of person who sees a gap – and doesn’t just ask why but asks how we can fix it. How we can do better. How we can serve everyone.”

James Farmer Multicultural Center Director Marion Sanford (far right) presents the Eagle Award for Outstanding Diversity Program, which went to the UMW Black Student Union’s Kwanzaa. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

UMW’s Cosplay Club took the Eagle Award for Outstanding New Club. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

UMW Women in Business won Eagle Awards for Outstanding Overall Achievement for a Club or Organization, as well as Outstanding Annual Program for Women’s Week. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Historic Preservation’s Sweetheart Ball won the Eagle Award for Outstanding New Program. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

The following are the winners of the 2024-25 Eagle Awards:

• Clara Boyd Wheeler Outstanding Community Service Program: COAR’s Head Start Gift Box Drive
• Outstanding New Program: Historic Preservation’s Sweetheart Ball
• Outstanding Annual Program: Women in Business’s Women’s Week
• Outstanding New Club: UMW Cosplay Club
• Outstanding Overall Achievement for a Club or Organization: UMW Women in Business
• Outstanding Diversity Program: Black Student Union’s Kwanzaa
• UMW Alumni Association Distinguished Bachelor of Liberal Studies Award: Justin Whoerle
• Leader in Service Award: Genevive Benton
• Elizabeth M. Baumgarten Service Award: Max Steinbaum
• Unsung Hero Award: Hailey Cooke
• James Farmer Defining a Legacy Award: Morgan Lewellen
• Alex Naden Award: Drew Meisenheimer
• Life After Mary Washington Champion Award Student: Knox McKinley
• Life After Mary Washington Champion Award Faculty/Staff: Assistant Director of Marketing/Social Media Manager Sam Cahill
• Cedric Rucker Eagle Beyond Compare Faculty/Staff: Residence Life and Housing Area Coordinator Laura Gilchrist-March
• Cedric Rucker Eagle Beyond Compare Student: Maha Momtez
• In the Wings Award: Assistant Director of New Student Programs Lillian Lester, Associate Athletic Director Caitlin Moore and UMW senior Christopher Anderson
• Gwen Hale Giving Tree Award: Associate Provost for Community Relations and Compliance Shavonne Shorter
• Prince Woodard Emerging Leader Award: Genevive Benton
• Prince Woodard Outstanding Leader Award: Shadwick Yoder
• Grace Mann Launch Award: Martina Nicholson