The Office of Student Affairs recently released its inaugural list of Statesman Emerald Award of Excellence winners.
The awards were part of the 2017 Men’s Conference at Delta State University. The conference, along with the 2017 Women’s Conference in March, were instituted by Dr. Vernell Bennett, vice president for Student Affairs.
“These awards do a great job of recognizing green and white excellence because they reflect the students’ voice,” said Bennett. “The students are the reason we’re here, so their opinion is paramount. The fact that students identify the winners makes the faculty, staff and administrative nominations and winners that much more special. That sort of recognition speaks to how much the students value and appreciate them.”
Bennett said the men’s and women’s conferences educate, uplift and train students to become strong leaders and stewards of the institution and its local community.
“The tutelage, professional development and collaborations that the conferences provide cultivate and improves our students’ skill sets and prepare them for their professional lives beyond DSU,” she said.
This year’s Statesman Emerald Award of Excellence winners, which recognized male students, faculty and staff, included:
Top Student Leader
Samuel Cooper
Top International Student
Abulfaz Hajizada
Most Spirited
Charlie King
Top Resident Assistant
Thomas Kemp
Most Talented
Long Time Coming
Top Housing Staff
Josh Stevens
Top Organization President
Chandler Ector
Top Fan
Cuong V. Truong
Community Service Award
Undra Richardson
Statesman Advocate Award
Anthony Wilson
Top Interfraternity Council Fraternity
Phi Kappa Alpha
Top National Panhellenic Council Fraternity
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated
Athletics
Top Football Athlete – Tyler Sullivan
Top Basketball Athlete – Devin Schmidt
Top Baseball Athlete – Zack Shannon
Top Golf Athlete – Zack Hammons
Top Swimmer Athlete – Matteo Fraschi
Top Tennis Athlete – Mason Vice
Top Soccer Athlete – Ashley Walker
Top Administrator
Dr. Billy Moore
Top Director Award
Michael Lipford
Top Faculty Award
Dr. Don Alan Mitchell
Top Male Staff
Matt Jones
College of Education Human Sciences Top Scholar
Paxton Stratton
College of Business and Aviation Top Scholar
John A. Hamilton
College of Arts and Sciences Top Scholar
Zachary Johnson
Robert E. Smith School of Nursing Top Scholar
Morris “Tad” Barrington
The Women’s Conference is held each spring and the Men’s Conference is held each fall. The Emerald Awards of Excellence are held for both conferences. Students submit nominations in person and online. Each conference features keynote speakers, plenary sessions, workshops, a luncheon, a community service project and social events.
The 2018 Women’s Conference is scheduled for March 20-21.
