USU individuals and groups honored at Robins Awards
Years of hard work and service for the Utah State University community from many students and faculty members culminated with recognition at the Robins Awards ceremony Saturday night.
The Taggart Student Center Ballroom was filled with award nominees, family and friends as distinguished faculty and administrators presented the awards.
Justin Hamilton, a senior studying economics and political science, received the highest award of the evening, the Bill E. Robins Memorial Award.
President Kermit L. Hall presented the award.
“[The Robins Memorial Award] is presented to the individual who represents the best youth has to offer,” Hall said.
He listed Hamilton’s accomplishments while at USU, including his service as president of the President’s Leadership Council, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and service in various Associated Students of USU positions.
Hamilton is also the owner of Café Sabor in Logan – “as if he isn’t busy enough,” Hall said.
“It is a great honor and amazing accomplishment,” Hamilton said. “Thank you for giving me the greatest four years of my life.”
In other awards, Theresa Foxley was named woman of the year, and Medlir Mema was awarded as man of the year.
Barbara White, vice president for Information Technology, presented the award to Mema. White recognized Mema for his involvement with three different internships over his college career and maintaining a 3.9 grade point average while enrolled in 22 credit hours and working two part-time jobs.
Frank White, a professor in the health, physical education and recreation department, received the Gerald R. Sherratt award.
White is retiring after six years at USU, said award presenter and Business Dean Caryn Beck-Dudley. Many university students have participated in the “ropes course” leadership exercise White designed, she said.
In his acceptance speech, White spoke highly of his experience at USU and with the students.
“The treasure of USU is truly the students,” he said.
According to a pamphlet provided at the awards ceremony, the Robins Awards memorialize the name of former student body President Bill Robins. Robins and his wife died in 1954 when their small plane crashed while taking off from a Denver airport.
“The name of Bill Robins has stood through the passing years as a symbol of the best youth has to offer,” according to the information. “As a memorial to him, the Robins Awards continue in that tradition.”
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Award winners
Val R. Christensen Service Award: Alpha Chi Omega
Achievement of the Year: Wright Flyer Project
Organization of the Year: Special Olympics Invitational
Scholar of the Year: Jeffrey Leek
Female Athlete of the Year: Brigid Turner
Male Athlete of the Year: Jose Fuentes
Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year: Mary Ellen Greenwood
Graduate Research Assistant of the Year: Aleksey Kuznetsov
Professional Adviser of the Year: Jana Kay Lunstad
Faculty Adviser of the Year: Chris Luecke
Talent of the Year: Alessandra Volpi
Professor of the Year: Edwin Stafford
Gerald R. Sherratt Award: Frank White
Man of the Year: Medlir Mema
Woman of the Year: Theresa Foxley
Bill E. Robins Memorial Award: Justin Hamilton
Woman of the year Theresa Foxley offers thanks for her award.
President Kermit L. Hall recognizes student Justin Hamilton as the 2003 Bill E. Robins Memorial Award winner. (Photos by Ryan Talbot)