Eight Ohio Northern University students, a male and female from each class, were honored with awards at the annual President's Leadership Dessert, held April 30.

Special guest speaker for the event was Ohio State University Head Football Coach Jim Tressel.

Receiving the DeBow Freed Awards for Outstanding Leadership as freshmen were Bethany Schreck, an art major from Bethel Park, Pa., and Ryan Lowry, a business administration major from Bluffton, Ohio.

Sophomore winners were Natalyn Giverson, a communication arts major from Mexico, N.Y., and Joshua Gargac, a mechanical engineering major from Northwood, Ohio.

Junior winners were Katie Weininger, a communication arts major from Sycamore, Ohio, and Timothy White, a finance and management major from Elida, Ohio.

Senior awards went to Stephanie Bell, a finance and management major from Liberty Center, Ohio, and Patrick Symmonds, a fourth-year pharmacy major from Columbus, Ohio.

Each year since 1999, the office of Greek life, student activities and leadership has partnered with Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honorary, to co-sponsor the President's Leadership Dessert. This event recognizes the leadership contributions of students to the campus and to campus organizations. Winners are selected from nominations based on the positive leadership they demonstrate. Monetary awards are given, and the names of the recipients are added to the bronze Freed Award plaque in McIntosh Center.

Also presented at the event is the Alice-Kay Hilderbrand Student Organization of the Year Award, established in 2003. Student organizations are recognized for their leadership contributions to ONU and the community. Each organization receives a monetary award and has its name engraved on a plaque in McIntosh Center.

Published: Thu, 05/01/2008 - 3:15pm