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TUESDAY | MAY 9 | 2017
Who's Who (continued from page 1)
with a student athlete at the University of Alabama who excelled in the classroom and earned several offers to join honors societies, but could not afford the membership fees. She explained that his monetary struggles motivated him to start a new award, an honors program based on overall achievement and not financial ability. It was only Rivera's first time assisting in the presentation of this annual event, but it was an experience that the assistant vice president of Residential Student Services would always remember. "To honor students who have worked so hard and to hear about all of their accomplishments they have made, it is just amazing. It goes back to the idea that they are helping to contribute to Kean and the university contributes back to them, and it makes everyone just stronger and better. I am so happy for them," Rivera said. Guests were then treated to a fantastic dinner composed of chicken, mashed potatoes and salad, with a dessert of berries, pound cake and whipped cream. Shortly after the delightful meal was enjoyed by the audience, Scott Snowden, the director of the Center for Leadership and Service, began the award presentations. Each student had their name called, and while walking to the podium, they were met with resonant applause from the entire audience. Snowden gave small summaries of the students as they walked up to get their award as well.
Tahjane Whitsett, the recently-elected Senior Class president for the Class of 2018, award recipient and a business management major, commented on her success in winning the gold plaque. "It feels good, just to be recognized...," Whitsett said. "This [award] is...something where [you]...say 'I got honors for an award.'" The 77 honorees included notable names that would be recognized by the Kean community. Asa Dugger was one of these award winners, and is a junior communication major who has served as the executive vice president of Student Organization (the full-time undergraduate student government) and a current member of the Lambda Pi Eta Communication Honor society. Another winner, Terrence Somesla-McCornell, is a graduating senior who will have a degree in special education who serves as the vice president of public relations and multicultural affairs for Kean University's Greek Senate. One other nominee, Victor Suarez, is a junior majoring in molecular biology and biotechnology who has secured a paid research internship with Brandeis University while being able to present research results to a national convention in Tampa, Florida. These students were nominated by professors, administrators and other faculty members who witnessed these students' growth, academically and professionally. After the last honoree was announced, hugs were exchanged, photographs of friends and families were taken and student winners held their golden plaques with pride, honor and certain distinction. Certainly, the feeling of obtaining the golden plaques with their names engraved in it appeared as gratifying to the students who achieved an award. Award recipient and Residential Assistant Alexis Morales commented on this. "This is on a plaque. I do not have any plaques," Morales said, "I have gotten papers and certificates, but there is nothing like a golden plaque!" Marcus Van Diver, junior communications, media major, is member of The Cougar's Byte Staff
All photos by Katarzyna Sierant I The Cougar's Byte
Ready For Change On Campus? Kristen Failla has taken the place of Alternate Student Trustee Amanda Petty
lightly. Failla thought about it, decided she was ready for the added responsibility and put her name on the ballot not once, but twice in as many years.
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“I previously ran for Alternate Student Trustee last year and despite my loss, I was motivated to put my name on the ballot again,” she said. What can the Kean community learn about Failla from this experience? She does not give up. If Failla had to pinpoint when she took her determination to the next level, she would say her freshman year in college. “...[A]s I started my involvement at Kean University with the Bronze level of the Leadership Institute, the director and coordinator, Sandra Espinal, gave me the advice of avoiding heading [straight] back to the residence halls after class,” Failla said. “Instead, she told us to become involved in every way possible and this mentality immediately inspired me.” The Cougar's Byte
Kristen Failla, Alternate Student Trustee
I
n most recent weeks, the Kean community gained a new student representative, and her name is Kristen Failla. Acting as the new Alternate Student Trustee, Failla is going to be the person to generate growth in the university. Failla is a sophomore who is focusing her studies in sociology while simultaneously pursuing a minor in psychology. Running in an election is a major decision to make, not one to take
“As Kean Alternate Student Trustee, I plan on serving as a voice connecting students to the university board and in doing so, also providing students with an opportunity to speak their minds.”
A common perplexity for college students is how to become more involved while also reserving time for school work. During her coming time as Alternate Student Trustee, she aims to guide students as they figure out all that is made available to them. “I want to help students utilize this advice [given to me] by taking advantage of the various resources, organizations and events Kean University has while also continuously improving on them.” Getting rid of any remnants of disconnect between students and administration, the voices of the Kean community are going to be heard, and it is not going to end there. Failla will take what she hears and take steps in creating the changes the student body asks for.
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“As Kean University’s Alternate Student Trustee, I plan on serving as a voice connecting students to the university board and in doing so, also providing students with an opportunity to speak their minds,” she said. “Ultimately, I would like to dedicate the next two years to helping students have their thoughts and concerns not only be heard, but recognized on campus in a professional environment where changes University’s are made.”
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Kristin Failla
Failla’s aspirations for this position span across various topics. An avid volunteer, a priority of hers is to advocate community involvement and service. “Another accomplishment I hope to make as Alternate Student Trustee is to encourage and instill a desire to participate in community service in students,” she said. “I believe that all students should love the university they attend and if anything disrupts that, students should have the opportunity to share their opinions, and I plan on giving students an outlet to do exactly that.” In closing comments, Failla shared her gratitude for receiving this two-year moment.
Failla said, “I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the progressive changes Kean University is constantly making.”
Amanda Petty, senior English writing and communication studies double major, is a member of The Cougar's Byte staff