Campus members honored for dedication
Each year SMU takes one evening to honor some of the most influential people on campus. Faculty, staff and students were honored at the Awards Extravaganza Monday evening.
The night was dedicated to honor their achievements and participation in numerous on and off-campus activities and organizations.
“It was everyone who loves SMU,” said senior Katie Holzgraefe, recipient of one of three Presidential Awards of Excellence. “Everyone works in different areas and has chosen different ways to spend their time here.”
“Everyone who won an award and those in attendance had a real passion for making SMU a better place and helping the university fulfill its potential,” Holzgraefe said.
Thirteen award categories were presented with a total of 43 winners. The Presidential Awards of Excellence and the “M” Awards are the most prestigious of the thirteen award categories.
“Everyone who received an award was very deserving,” said senior Megan Samples, winner of the Panhellenic Association’s Outstanding Greek Woman.
“The recipients put in so much time and devotion and now they are getting recognition for their accomplishments,” Samples said.
Although the night was dedicate to awarding outstanding accomplishments, many of the recipients felt that their award was only an added bonus.
“You don’t put in your time, effort and heart to win an award, you do it to better the community,” said senior Julia Neely, one of the six winners of the John L. Freehafer Award.
Turner announced the three Presidential Awards given to students who excel academically and have shown prowess in athletics, leadership and community service.
Four “M” awards went to faculty and staff members, and the other 10 went to influential SMU seniors.
“I was honored,” said senior Rochelle Iserman, one of ten “M” Award winners. “The other students that were chosen were extraordinary, and I felt blessed to be placed in the same category as them.”
“M” Award winners felt gratification because the award represents not only the highest honor the university can bestow on an individual, but it also represents the selflessness that the honor reflects.
“You get so much more from the college experience when you give back to the community,” Iserman said. “Being involved on campus allows you to meet so many different people and experience so many different things. It’s so rewarding.”
University Provost Ross Murfin awarded the final “M” Award, which he referred to as the “Stealth Award,” to Turner for his enormous contributions to SMU during his seven-year term as university president.
Murfin partially attributed the award to the success of Turner’s Capital Campaign, which raised $532 million. This allowed for 80 new academic programs, 16 additional faculty members and 14 new buildings.
Campus members honored for dedication
