ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA—Winthrop University's Division of Student Affairs recognized deserving students and campus organization with awards on May 6.
This year's award winners were announced via the division's Facebook page instead of during the traditional end-of-semester, on-campus ceremony since Winthrop's campus is closed due to COVID-19.
"We are extremely proud to present these awards each year. Even though we could not celebrate these recipients in person, we still wanted to acknowledge their hard work, service, commitment and leadership that positively impacted Winthrop. These students have left their mark on our university, and we are very grateful for each one's contributions," said Shelia Higgs Burkhalter, vice president for student affairs.
Business administration major Gabriel Dias of Joinville, Brazil, captured the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. A member and two-time captain of the men's tennis team, Dias displayed leadership on and off the court. He represented Winthrop and the Big South Conference on the student advisory group for the NCAA. The highly selective group consisted of just 32 student-athletes from across the country. A senior, Dias served as president of Winthrop's Student-Athlete Advisory Council and as a member of the Council of Student Leaders (CSL). He also stood out in the classroom, earning a spot on the Big South Conference All-Academic Team during his junior year.
Integrated marketing communication major Imani Belton of Simpsonville, South Carolina, received the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award. Belton is the outgoing chair of CSL. During her tenure, she regularly gave student body updates to Winthrop's Board of Trustees. Belton has served as an Academic Success Center tutor, Diversity Peer Educator, Peer Mentor, a member of the Leadership Institute for First-Timers (LIFT) conference planning committee and previously served as CSL's public relations committee co-chair. Belton also received the division's Diversity and Student Engagement Award.
Additional awards included:
*Cynthia A. Cassens Resident Assistant of the Year Award: Rebecca Evans, a senior elementary education major from Rock Hill, South Carolina
*Gloria Godfrey Jones Outstanding Tutor of the Year Award: Christopher Chamberlain, a senior mathematics major from Rock Hill, South Carolina
*Fred Angerman Quality Staff Award: Miranda Knight, assistant dean of students
*College Panhellenic Council Woman of the Year: Taylor Jordan, a senior individualized studies major from Camden, South Carolina
*National Pan-Hellenic Council Woman of the Year: Jaylan Luvene, a senior psychology major from Anderson, South Carolina
*Interfraternity Council Man of the Year: Darien Nguyen, a senior chemistry major from Clover, South Carolina
*National Pan-Hellenic Council Man of the Year: Brandon Jackson, a junior business administration major from Columbia, South Carolina
*Grant Scurry Dedication Award: Melanie Haynes, a senior social work major from Circle Pines, Minnesota
*Wellness Advocate Award: Jalia Thomas, a senior business administration major from Walterboro, South Carolina
*Wellness Alliance Award: John Timmons, assistant director of residence life
*Active Bystander Award: Jaeden Choice, a senior biology major from Sumter, South Carolina
*Organization with Exemplary Record of Service: Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
*Student Organization of the Year Award: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
*Student Organization Program of the Year Award: SHIELD (Students Helping Innovate and Educate Leadership Development)
*Club Sport of the Year Award: Archery Club
For more information, contact Monica Bennett, director of communications, at bennettm@winthrop.edu.
