Student Involvement Shines at UMW’s Annual Eagle Awards

The Chandler Ballroom was booming with energy for the University of Mary Washington’s annual Eagle Awards earlier this month.

Tiny gold stars glittered across the room, lights split the space into colorful slices and tabletop-thumping applause erupted throughout the ceremony. Seniors Aniya Stewart and Miranda Colbert hosted, pouring personality into a YouTube video-like presentation. But the show-stealers were the students, along with a few faculty and staff, recognized for their commitment to community service, citizenship, philanthropy, academic excellence and more.

“We are incredibly proud of you,” UMW President Troy Paino told the crowd, including many nominees and more than a dozen soon-to-be winners. “I like to think that those in this room are getting the most out of their Mary Washington experience. But I also can say that we’ve gotten a lot from you and your leadership. I’m so appreciative of what you’ve done for Mary Washington.”

Seniors Maya Jenkins (left) and Cameron Washington listen while their classmates are honored for their outstanding contributions to the UMW community during the 2023 Eagle Awards ceremony. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW senior Maya Jenkins won both the James Farmer Defining a Legacy Award and the Grace Mann Launch Award during this month’s Eagle Award ceremony. The event honored many – especially student leaders – who’ve made a significant impact on the UMW community throughout the past year. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW President Troy Paino expressed his pride and gratitude to all the Eagle Award winners and nominees for their dedication to making the University of Mary Washington campus a better place. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

UMW seniors Miranda Colbert (left) and Aniya Stewart energized the crowd as hosts of the recent Eagle Awards ceremony, held in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Surrounded by fanfare from her classmates, Audrey Flavin walks to the stage after learning she’s won the Cedric Rucker Eagle Beyond Compare Award. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

The event – presented by the Office of Student Activities and Engagement (SAE), Center for Community Engagement and James Farmer Multicultural Center – took place on April 13 at UMW’s Cedric Rucker University Center.

Senior Maya Jenkins walked away with not one but two top prizes – the James Farmer Defining a Legacy Award and the Grace Mann Launch Award, both of which speak to her enduring quest for social justice. “Maya’s leading word when making change is ‘mobilization,’ ” a nominator wrote of her.

The James Farmer Defining a Legacy Award – named for the late civil rights activist and Mary Washington history professor – goes to a student, or staff or faculty member, who creates a direct-action project, overcomes a substantial obstacle, challenges an oppressive system and spreads their cause. The Grace Mann Launch Award – named for a UMW leader and activist who died during her junior year – goes to a graduating senior who is committed to social justice, equality and improving lives through implementing change, and plans a career in that vein.

Andrea Gallagos received the Prince Woodard Outstanding Leader Award. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Kevin Dougherty received the Alex Naden Award. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Kaira Otero won the Unsung Hero Award at the 2023 Eagle Awards. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Hannah Harris (left) and Abigail Delapenha both won this year’s Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Senior. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Among Jenkins’ many accomplishments at Mary Washington, she served as the University’s NAACP chapter president and helped form the Black UMW alumni group. She has been a Student Alumni Ambassador, TEAL Peer Mentor for Mary Washington’s Center for Prevention and Education, and student representative on the President’s Community Advisory Panel. She’s also a previous winner of the Prince Woodard Emerging Leader Award.

“Frankly we’d be here all night if I continued to list her accomplishments,” said Dean of Students Melissa Jones, who described Jenkins as a “reflective, formidable and thoughtful leader” before presenting her with the Grace Mann Launch Award. “Like Grace, this student lets her principles guide her in everything she does.”

Congratulations to all of this year’s Eagle Award winners, who are listed below. To learn more about each award, visit SAE’s Eagle Awards 2023 website.

Audrey Flavin: Cedric Rucker Eagle Beyond Compare Award

Andrea Gallagos: Prince Woodard Outstanding Leader Award

Kathleen Gruber: Prince Woodard Emerging Leader Award

Taylor Coleman: Elizabeth M. Baumgarten Service Award

Kevin Dougherty: Alex Naden Award

Kylie Jackson: Leader in Service Award

Kaira Otero: Unsung Hero Award

Abigail Delapenha and Hannah Harris: Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Senior

Jiamie Pyles: Service Award for Outstanding Senior Dedicated to Community Service

Carla Kanupp: Bachelor of Liberal Studies Award

The Latino Student Association club officers pose with Student Activities and Engagement Director Sandrine Sutphin (far right). The club won the Outstanding Annual Program Award for their Latino Identities Month Kick-off Event. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Members of the Eagle Con Committee pose with Assistant Director of Student Activities and Engagement Michael Middleton (far right). The Eagle Con Committee won the Outstanding New Club Award at this month’s Eagle Award ceremony. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Taste of Asia: Outstanding Diversity Program Award

Shabbat Dinner: Outstanding Educational Program Award

Latino Identities Month: Outstanding Annual Program Award

Bar Trivia Night: Outstanding New Program Award

Eagle Con Committee: Outstanding New Club Award

Club Cheerleading: Outstanding Overall Achievement Award

Global Medical Brigades: Clara Boyd Wheeler Outstanding Community Service Program Award

UMW Chief of Police Michael Hall and Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing John Hughey received the In the Wings Award. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Student Activities and Engagement Assistant Director Michael Middleton presented the Gwen Hale Giving Tree Award to College of Education Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships Kristina Peck. Middleton received the award last year. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Center for Community Engagement Director Sarah Dewees presented the Leader in Service Award to Kylie Jackson. Photo by Suzanne Carr Rossi.

Kristina Peck, College of Education Director of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships: Gwen Hale Giving Tree Award

Michael Hall, UMW Chief of Police, and John Hughey, Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing: In the Wings Award