Giving Recognition for a Job Well Done
Student Organization leaders can have a great deal of influence over student motivation and student investment in the club. Giving recognition to students when they have done a good job can go a long way toward encouraging students to stay involved and be proud of their accomplishments. It is important as faculty and staff to realize when students are learning and meeting goals, and to celebrate those successes.
The Office of Student Activities supports all student clubs and organizations and frequently tries to recognize achievements during the year. Event Registration Forms and Event Evaluation Forms aid the Office of Student Activities in efforts to follow up with students after an event to evaluate its outcome. In addition, at the end of the academic year, the campus wide Awards Banquet allows an opportunity to formally recognize our outstanding organizations.
How can I recognize other club members in my group?
· Personally email or speak with the student to let them know you notice their efforts.
· Email or speak with the group and mention the accomplishment and recognize those students who put in their time and effort.
· Send a thank you card.
· Have a social event, such as a pizza party, to get the group together for a celebration.
· Nominate students for other positions of leadership on campus or recognition (e.g. Exploring Leadership, Emerging Leaders, Resident Assistant, Who’s Who, etc.).
· Institute a “Member of the Month” Award, or another type of award to bring recognition to those students who are going above and beyond their responsibilities.
Awards Banquet
Each spring, the Office of Student Activities hosts an Awards Banquet. All student organizations, club advisors, Leadership Scholars, Resident Assistants, Sports Team Captains, Peer Mentors, Office of Student Activities student workers, faculty, and staff are invited to attend. This is a time to recognize students for all they have done throughout the semester, and to honor those who have gone above and beyond basic expectations. The following is a list of the awards that are currently given out at the banquet and the criteria for each award.
Lasell College Chair
The Lasell College Chair Award is given each year to a graduating senior, who has embodied the values of Lasell College and contributed to the campus community in exceptional ways. This award is among the highest honors given to a student. Students must be nominated for this award by a staff or faculty member. Winners are chosen by the Awards Banquet committee, a group consisting of faculty, staff, and students at Lasell College.
Lasell Bowl
The Lasell Bowl is given to students who have distinguished themselves as individuals who contribute to the life of the campus in especially noteworthy ways. Each of them has held one or more leadership positions on campus, has gone “above and beyond” in their contributions of time and energy, and has made a particularly significant impact in the quality of student life on campus. Students must be nominated for this award by a staff or faculty member. Winners are chosen by the Awards Banquet committee, a group consisting of faculty, staff, and students at Lasell College.
SGA Thomas E.J. de Witt Spirit Award
The SGA Thomas E.J. de Witt Spirit Award was established in 2007 by the Student Government Association in honor of Dr. Thomas E.J. de Witt in recognition of his 19 years of outstanding service to Lasell College. It will be given annually to a member of the Lasell Community who most embodies the love and spirit for Lasell College that Dr. de Witt demonstrated. This award can go to a faculty member, staff, or student. The current SGA membership votes on the winner of this award from nominations from the Lasell community.
Student Organization of the Year
The Student Organization of the Year Award has been created by the Office of Student Activities to honor a student organization that has excelled in the areas of organizational structure and development for the academic year.
The recipient of this award should:
· Have a solid membership that has been retained throughout the year;
· Have a leadership team that helps to guide the organization towards further growth and development;
· Provide an educational, governance or programming function that serves the larger campus community;
· Be a known entity on campus; and strive to continually improve as an organization and cultivate new leaders.
Nominations for the Student Organization of the Year award come from the student organizations. Each group may nominate themselves by completing the nomination packet. Winners are chosen by the Awards Banquet Committee.
Student Leader of the Year
The Student Leader of the Year should exemplify all of the qualities of an outstanding student leader. Such qualities include:
· a commitment to the student organization(s) in which he/she is a member, as demonstrated through dedicated and continued involvement;
· an ability to motivate other members of the organization as well as the Lasell community;
· a demonstrated effort to continually improve the organization;
· involvement on campus and in the greater community; and
· A commitment to a balance of extra-curricular involvement and academic excellence.