Student Leaders Honored

At the Student Government Association Installation and Leadership Awards Ceremony on April 10, MBU recognized student leaders for their dedication and engagement. Excellence in faculty and staff advising was also celebrated.

Read a testimonial from each award winner’s letter of nomination and see how much they contribute to the #MBUfamily.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

For excellence in leadership and for advancing the university’s strategic plan

Diamonique Anderson

“In public she is poised, welcoming, cheerful and graceful. Her easy enthusiasm is a tonic for others. They are easily encouraged to become engaged because Ms. Anderson is a light by which they may see themselves involved to make a difference that matters for our shared life together.”

— Edward A. Scott, professor of philosophy, nominator

BRENDA BRYANT LEADERSHIP AWARD

For excellence in campus leadership

Kirsten Goodman

“Kirsten Goodman loves Mary Baldwin and it shows. She is a woman of integrity and a woman of valor. She cares deeply about who we are, and she works to make sure that we, the university, are the best we can be. She told me one day that when she was a first year student she looked at her mentor Tralen Neal and decided that she wanted to be a leader like Tralen. I often hear other students say to me: ‘I want to be a leader like Kirsten.’”

—  Rev. Andrea Cornett-Scott, associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence, nominator

GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP AWARD

For excellence in campus and community service

Noni Stevens

“At first glance, Noni proved to be a servant to her community and demonstrated respect for all people and their differing beliefs and values. Through numerous leadership positions and engagement in volunteerism, Noni is an agent for change in her own community, in our Mary Baldwin community and in the larger Staunton community.”

— Kirsten Goodman, nominator

HONOR AND INTEGRITY AWARD

For upholding the values of honor and integrity at Mary Baldwin University

Mary Ruth Wossum-Fisher

“It did not take me long to realize that Mary Wossum-Fisher is a student who exudes honor and integrity. It is the way she carries herself, her command of the codes [of conduct] and her effort to be just. It is clear that this young woman wants the best for our community, and she wants everyone to contribute in just that way.”

—  Rev. Andrea Cornett-Scott, associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence, nominator

UNSUNG HERO AWARD

For demonstrated service to the university

Adele Cox

“This I know: she serves the campus community through active involvement in MBU organizations; she demonstrates respect for all people and values the diverse perspectives of others; she engages in service to the campus, community, and the broader community. Adele serves because of an overall care and concern for the MBU community, and she rarely receives public acknowledgement for her work.”

—  Rev. Andrea Cornett-Scott, associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence, nominator

ORGANIZATION SERVICE AWARD

For organizational excellence in campus and community service

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

“They have reached out to both the university and local community to help promote their annual community service initiatives, and they have started new events to help make both MBU and athletics more visible in the Staunton area.”

— Heather Ely, head cross country and track coach and SAAC Advisor, nominator

LYNN GILLILAND BOLDLY BALDWIN AWARD

For dedicated, service, mentorship, and exceptional school spirit

Shari Moody

“I believe that Shari deserves the Boldly Baldwin Award because she is Boldly Baldwin with an emphasis on bold. She gives the best hugs in the world and she hugs life, community, and her university enthusiastically, rain or shine, in all that she says and does.”

—  Rev. Andrea Cornett-Scott, associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence, nominator

ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

For organizational excellence in campus leadership

Latinas Unidas

“This organization has brought so much richness to our campus. First of all, they bring much needed support to our growing Latinx community, providing a safe place to explore culture. It is no small feat to bring people from different cultures within Latin America together and to form a singular unit but they do.”

—  Rev. Andrea Cornett-Scott, associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence, nominator

ADVISOR OF THE YEAR

For demonstrated commitment to the overall success of students

Andrea Cornett-Scott, associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence

“Reverend Andrea Cornett-Scott is someone I truly look up to and someone I strive to be like every day. Not only does she reach out to the minority students, she also strives to help many students at Mary Baldwin succeed by getting involved to let their voice be heard on campus.”

— Kourtney Goodman, nominator

Kristen Egan, associate professor of English 

“I can attest that not only the Honor Council is stronger because of Dr. Egan, but also myself. Her guidance during my time as Honor Council Chair helped me more than I can say. She was supportive in any way she could be by not only offering advice and aid, but also knowing when to let me lead and make decisions.”

— Mary Ruth Wossum-Fisher, nominator

STAFF OF THE YEAR

For demonstrated commitment to the overall success of students

Ellen Lucius, academic advisor, Online and Distance Learning Programs

“She makes intentional effort to learn from and interact with individuals across campus … By modeling enthusiastic eagerness to be involved, Ellen has pushed me to want to meet and work with individuals across disciplines at MBU; the sense of community I feel at MBU, which Ellen fostered, is one paramount reason I love working at MBU.”

— Emily Ely, assistant professor of reading education, nominator