About 100 seats, red, black and white balloons, and an assortment of food filled the room for students from organizations and clubs at CSUN who were eager to hear their names be called for awards.
Twenty-five awards were given out at the Clubs and Organizations Awards Ceremony, “Celebrating the Spirit of CSUN,” at the Grand Salon on Thursday to acknowledge hard work that has added to the community on and off campus throughout the 2006-07 school year. The ceremony was held by Associated Students and the Office of Student Development ‘ International Programs.
To name a few, award categories that were presented stretched from educational program of the year and most creative marketing to best student talent and the outstanding student organization of the school year. A plethora of various award categories were presented to appreciate “hard work and integrity” that was contributed to create a more spirited and diverse environment at CSUN.
“It’s important to have these kinds of award ceremonies,” said Melanie Gallegos, a senior health science major who was a part of the event planning committee. “It’s to help clubs and organizations realize their impact on campus and just a show of appreciation for all clubs and organizations. They don’t get enough recognition.”
Many groups took home more than one award Thursday afternoon. The V-Day Club received recognition through the Entertainment Program Award, Student Talent Program Award and Outstanding Fundraiser Award. This year the V-Day Club presented a three-day performance in March of “The Vagina Monologues,” which included a heavy amount of student participation and raised about $9,000 from ticket sales and donations, which was donated to Haven Hills and the Valley Trauma Center.
“From the beginning of V-Day we had so many supporters,” said Veronica Chavira, who was active in the “Vagina Monologues” show. “I feel like I’m leaving a legacy. It’s the best journey I could ask for.”
The CSUN Anime Club was the recipient of the Creative Marketing Award, Outstanding Conference Program and Outstanding Organization Award. The Anime Club held a convention in October, MikomiCon, which brought 1,012 people on campus who filled the University Student Union to enjoy live bands, meet professionals in the anime industry, and engage in a costume contest and workshops.
“It definitely feels very good,” said Nick Kurachi, chair of the anime club. “The event and club put on great stuff. It’s definitely icing on the cake.”
The National Society of Collegiate Scholars was the recipient of the New Program Award and Outreach Program Award. This organization held a Hunger Banquet this semester to introduce college students to “a taste of the world beyond our campus” by demonstrating the difference of class systems and to exemplify the stomachs around the world that go hungry.
Ballet Folklorico Aztlan de CSUN received the Diversity Program Award and Matador Spirit Award.
Other groups such as CSUN Hillel and United Campus Ministry received the Collaborative Program Award for working together with 26 students to restore New Orleans’ devastation during spring break. Violent Acts Grounded received the Community Service to Campus Award, Acasola received the Outstanding New Club Award, and the Latino Business Association received the Service to Community Award.
The Educational Program Award was given to the African American Music Association and African Students Organization. The Armenian Student Organization received the Creative T-shirt Award, and the Muslim Student Association received the Lecture Program Award.
Alpha Gamma Alpha was chosen as the Outstanding Sorority for charitable events such as a feeding the homeless on Thanksgiving at the House of Blues. Sigma Phi Epsilon was selected for Outstanding Fraternity for “building lifelong leaders and learners,” as a 3.0 g.p.a. is required of new members and is the organization is ranked in the top three of the Interfraternity Council.
The award ceremony also recognized individuals who have devoted time, effort and heart into a certain organization.
One of the recipients was Osan Markarian from Alpha Gamma Alpha for Inspirational Member Award. Markarian initiated the Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, made sure the Armenian Genocide display was ready for Sierra Quad, and is an overall role model to the sorority members.
Each organization filled out an application a month prior to the event. They could nominate themselves or nominate others. They would explain why they should be the winner of a particular award and explain “the events and programs they put on and all the effort put into them.”
