Robins Awards recognize student and faculty success
In 1954, former Utah State University student body president William [Bill] E. Robins and his wife were killed when their plane crashed during takeoff.
Robins was able to project his vision to others of how to improve USU and Saturday his memory was honored by the university in the annual Robins Awards ceremony. Each year, students and faculty are awarded for excellence throughout the year and their time spent at the university.
The final award of the night, the Bill E. Robins award, was given to the student who, like Robins, is a symbol of vision and pioneering efforts.
“The Bill E. Robins memorial award … is presented to the student who represents the best this university has to offer,” USU President Stan Albrecht said.
Albrecht announced Jay T. Price as the recipient of the award. To receive the award, Albrecht said a student must excel academically, must be a leader and have traits that can set him or her apart as a “rare individual,” something Price has demonstrated in his time at USU.
Price, who was nominated for two other awards, said he was surprised he was named as the best the university has to offer, but he said he knew he couldn’t have done it on his own.
In Oscar-like fashion, after each winner was announced, they gave an acceptance speech thanking those who had helped them get so far in their lives. Some were unable to name everyone.
Melissa Baggaley, female athlete of the year, she said naming and thanking all 12 of her brothers and sisters would have taken too long.
Throughout the evening, there were two common themes: students thanking professors for all their help, and professors and advisers thanking students.
“At the end of the day, its not about what I give to [the students], it’s about what they gave to me,” said Sally Peterson, recipient of the professional adviser of the year award. “Thank you very much … I really wanted to win.”
Some of the awards were given simply on achievement, students, professors and advisers that had worked hard and were due some recognition. Other awards were given because of the inspiration those people provided to others.
The woman of the year award, given to Janae Burger, was an example of that.
Burger, a student at the Brigham City Extension, has three children, all under the age of four. After her husband was called to Iraq, Burger continued to stay involved at her campus and even joined a service group.
“It is truly her attitude that sets her apart,” Joyce Albrecht said, wife of the university president.
-aedmunds@cc.usu.edu