IOWA CITY, IOWA (May 7, 2021) — Bridget Joers of Riverdale, Iowa, is one of 22 students and organizations at the University of Iowa honored by the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement for their contributions to the robust collection of student-run organizations on the Iowa campus.
Each spring the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement recognizes outstanding students, advisors, and organizations for their work and efforts during the previous academic year with the presentation of 16 Hawkeye Student Organization Leadership and Service Awards. The University of Iowa has more than 500 student-run organizations.
The Office of Leadership, Service, and Civic Engagement is housed within the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of Iowa, Division of Student Life. Its programs help students develop lifelong leadership skills, offer incredible experiential service-learning, and provides civic-engagement opportunities to students both on- and off-campus.
In addition to the Hawkeye Awards, Leadership, Service, and Civic Engagement also announced this year's winners of the Dr Tom Rocklin Meet the Challenge Awards and the Sean Wu Awards.
Meet the Challenge Awards recognize undergraduate students who exemplify the values promoted by The IOWA Challenge through their actions within the University of Iowa and surrounding communities. Winners will receive a $500 award sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Division of Student Life.
In 2017, the Meet the Challenge Awards were renamed in honor of Dr Tom Rocklin, former Vice President for Student Life at Iowa. Dr Rocklin served the campus in various capacities over 30 years — including being a founding member of a collaborative, grassroots effort known as the Student Success Team. The IOWA Challenge is one of the many projects to emerge from his investment and commitment to student success.
The Sean Wu Memorial Scholarships, created in 2018, are named in honor of Sean Wu, a University of Iowa student from 2016-2017. Sean was in the Honors Program at the University as a freshman majoring in English and Pre-Business. He was a Black and Gold Scholar and was on the Dean's List.
Joers, a fourth-year student at Iowa majoring in Secondary English Education, was presented the Leadership Legacy Award, which is given annually to the best staff-member ever.
"Joers created a fee waiver for UI Dance Marathon participants," wrote the group of judges reviewing the awards' nominations, "This waiver has made the organization more financially-accessible and improved equity for all participants."
2021 Award Winners
Most Promising New Student Organization
Presented to the student organization that has demonstrated significant motivation, creativity, innovation, and perseverance within its first year on campus. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): IGNITE UI
Most Improved Student Organization
Presented to the student organization that has displayed significant effort for the improvement of the organization and, therefore, exhibited considerable progress in the development of the group. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Men's Waterpolo Club
Unsung Hero
Presented to a student leader who may not necessarily be in a leadership position within an organization, but whose behind-the-scenes efforts are greatly needed and appreciated. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Jacob Hansen
Outstanding Contribution to the Greater Community by a Student Organization
Presented to the student organization that has made a meaningful contribution to the surrounding communities through programs, events, and/or on-going mutually-beneficial relationships. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Device Advice
Outstanding Philanthropic Contribution to the UI Campus by a Student Organization
The UI Center for Advancement highlights the good work student organizations to while helping shed light on commendable philanthropic endeavors. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Food Pantry at Iowa
Outstanding Sustainability Leader
Presented to the student leader who has displayed a significant effort in helping the University of Iowa be more sustainable and in achieving the UI's 2020 Vision/Sustainability Targets. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Hallie Lartius
Sustainability Integration
Presented to organizations which have integrated sustainability initiatives via the operation of an event(s)/project(s), providing a meaningful contribution to the UI's 2020 Vision/Sustainability Targets and an environmentally-conscious campus community. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Iowa Hillel
Outstanding Community Partner
Presented to community partners that have displayed significant effort, made a meaningful contribution, and have supported Iowa students. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): HACAP
Outstanding Diversity Awareness Program
Presented to the program or event that has focused on campus diversity or diversity issues, and encouraged acceptance and respect. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers — Virtual Diversity Networking Event
Outstanding Program
The opportunities for Iowa students to engage in meaningful and diverse programs are endless.
To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Eta Sigma Phi "The Little Things"
Dinette L Myers Outstanding Student Organization Collaboration
The Dinette L Myers' Outstanding Student Organization Collaboration award recognizes successful collaborations among multiple student-organizations and -agencies. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): The Doctor is In
Outstanding Student Organization Advisor
Advisors are a critical part of successful and vibrant student-organizations. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Lindsey Meyer — Student United Way
Leadership Legacy
The greatest leaders are not remembered only for what they have done, but also for how they have made a lasting, significant contribution to their organization and/or the University of Iowa community. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Bridget Joers
Outstanding Student Organization Leader
Presented to leaders of student groups who are resilient, committed, and passionate. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Summer Choi
Outstanding Student Organization
Presented to student organizations that have displayed significant effort and have made a meaningful contribution to students at Iowa. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s): Society of Women Engineers
Dr Tom Rocklin Meet the Challenge Awards
The Meet the Challenge Awards is a collaboration between the Division of Student Life and the Office of the Provost. Students can nominate themselves or be nominated by a University or community member. Each year, one winner is selected for recognition in each of the five IOWA Challenge areas. Winners will receive a $500 award sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Division of Student Life and will be honored during the Hawkeye Leadership and Service Awards. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
2021 award winner(s)
Engage: Avinaya Paravasthuramesh
Excel: Mackenzie Berschel
Stretch: Radha Velamuri
Serve: Mckrina Lopez
Kelly S Bender Choose: Abbie Williams-Yee
Sean Wu Awards
The Sean Wu Memorial Scholarships, created in 2018, are named in honor of Sean Wu, a University of Iowa student from 2016-2017. Sean was in the Honors Program at the University as a freshman majoring in English and Pre-Business. He was a Black and Gold Scholar and was on the Dean's List. To learn more about this award: click HERE.
2021 award winner(s)
DJ Scoot Memorial Scholarship: Sydney Sjobakken
Outstanding Student of the Year: Orson Codd
About the University of Iowa
As a top global university, Iowa is the ideal destination for learning, discovery, and innovation. We bring art and science together to create a truly unique interdisciplinary education. With over 200 areas of study to choose from, students are encouraged to mix and match majors, minors, and certificates to earn a degree that reflects their unique interests.
From inside our world-class medical center to the most prestigious creative writing program in the US, students have access to quality academic support and are equipped with the tools they need to stand out in a competitive workforce. Our 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows students to work directly with experts in their field while earning valuable, practical skills.
Our campus seamlessly blends into the heart of downtown Iowa City, making it easy to access academic resources and belong to a larger, welcoming community. With over 500 student organizations, clubs, and communities on campus, and countless in-town events scheduled throughout the year, Iowa makes it easy to build a network of friendships and connections that last a lifetime.
To learn more about the University of Iowa, click HERE.
