COTC and Ohio State Newark Student Leaders Honored

During times like these that we are currently living in, strong leaders are needed and looked to for guidance and assurance. This year’s student leaders honored by Central Ohio Technical College and The Ohio State University at Newark’s Annual Student Leadership Awards displayed qualities of a strong leader and the potential to be looked upon in the future.

Despite being unable to honor student leaders at the traditional awards ceremony event, a video announcement series highlighting each winner brought this event to an even wider audience than ever before.

Ohio State Newark student Julie Reminder received the Community Service Leader of the Year Award for her leadership of both the Community Outreach Committee and Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge student organizations. She led initiatives to support the Licking County Food Pantry Network and helped to plan, lead and execute a seven-day alternative spring break Habitat for Humanity building trip to Pensacola, Florida. Reminder also serves as a resident assistant guiding and helping her peers living in on-campus housing. She was described by her nominator as a genuine, kind and caring individual who fights tirelessly to give back to her community and goes out of her way to advocate for those voices lost in the crowd.

This year’s Up and Coming Leader Award was given to Ohio State Newark student Shannon Reeves for her leadership of the Eat Well Newark student organization. Not only did she initiate the creation of the organization, but she also used great vision, passion, commitment and creativity to help it overcome obstacles. The organization held events to educate fellow students on healthy eating and assisted them in developing a food budget. Weekly cooking classes ranged from Ramen Upgrades to Frittatas and Muffins inspiring many to eat well.

Ohio State Newark student, president of Pride Out Loud, 17th Annual Black Heritage Gala committee member and student government media officer, Sage Anderson received the RESPECT Award for demonstrating responsibility, equity, self-awareness, purpose, enthusiasm, compassion and teamwork that promoted a more welcoming and inclusive environment on campus. Among many things accomplished during the year, Sage led the Pride Out Loud student organization through efforts like The Coming Out, a free legal clinic, and social hour events.

COTC student Andrea Powell spearheaded the creation of the local chapter of Lambda Nu, the radiologic and imaging sciences honor society, earning her the Kelly Saffle Leadership Award. It is awarded to a COTC student who exemplifies strong and consistent leadership in one or more student organizations or programs. Not only did she diligently work to launch the Ohio Delta Chapter, but she also encouraged and helped nearly 90% of her classmates achieve the academic requirements for induction. Powell also served as the president of the Radiologic Technology student organization.

The William A. Kilpatrick Award recognizes an Ohio State Newark student who exemplifies strong and consistent leadership in the campus community. This year’s recipient was Myla Yang, LeFevre Fellows student and the Laurel Collegiate Society member. Yang created a community outreach and support program with Ben Franklin Elementary School to provide students of the elementary school with access to new clothes, supplies, etc. She also continually challenged her peers to step outside their comfort zone and delve into civic engagement and community development.

Other awards that were given during the ceremony included:

Outstanding Student Organization of the Year
2019-2020 recipient: Pride Out Loud

Outstanding Student Organization Program
2019-2020 recipient: BuckeyeThon – Team Ohio State Newark and COTC – Fall Harvest Festival

Faculty/Staff Above and Beyond Award
2019-2020 recipient: Beth Wallace

Central Ohio Technical College and The Ohio State University at Newark have forged an outstanding array of educational opportunities for the central Ohio region and beyond. This partnership is viewed as a model for higher education in the state of Ohio. At Central Ohio Technical College, students gain hands-on, applicable experience to begin working in the field, or to transfer those credits toward a bachelor’s degree program. The Ohio State University at Newark offers an academic environment that’s challenging but supportive with world-renowned professors and access to Ohio State’s more than 200 majors.