2019-20 Winners
Thrive Student of the Year
Kaleigh Wingate
As we know, the Wake Forest University Thrive Initiative is about much more than physical health. It is an eight-dimensional balancing act that – when maintained properly – leaves us best able to cope with adversity, build rewarding relationships and live with a sense of purpose. This student exudes all that the Thrive Campaign stands for. Kaleigh Wingate is truly a standout student leader in wellbeing. This person has served as a Peer Educator for the last two years, and has shown their passion for wellbeing in a variety of ways. They are a creator and founder of an event called She Thrives. This event has served a critical service to women of color. They have been an active leader as a General Wellbeing Peer Educator for the Office of Wellbeing.
Thrive Organization of the Year
Spoon University
This organization promotes the ethos of Thrive by creating articles for the Wake Forest University community and spreading knowledge and awareness about wellbeing and a positive lifestyle. They encourage and boost their members’ physical and mental health by sharing healthy recipes and lifestyle tips in their group chat. They also provide how-to’s that demonstrate how to address stress and mental health issues. In addition they show the benefits of balancing academic and social life by sharing tips on their public blog and Instagram account.
First Year Student Leader
Jordan Diamond
Jordan was selected as a delegate to attend the ACC Leadership Symposium at the University of Louisville. As part of the Symposium they collaborated with students to create a project to advance students’ global leadership in social change. In addition, they are heavily involved in the CHARGE Emerging Leaders Program where they have initiated a proposal for a positive change to campus and connected with mentors at leadership labs and retreats. They were also a selected member for the Wake N’ Shake Entertainment Committee, which led the planning for the entertainment for the 12-hour dance marathon for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. Also, They were a speaker at the Wake Forest TechX Conference, participated in Project Pumpkin, Turkey Palooza and Hit the Bricks.
Outstanding Emerging Leader
Amani Davis
Amani has worked with numerous campus partners, such as the Spanish Department, French Department, and the Intercultural Center, as well as the Reserve Officer Training Corps, OLAS, and many others to bring a variety of themes to Trivia Nights. These nights have had consistent attendees, contributing to a sense of belonging and connection for Wake Forest students. An example of was with Drag Trivia–done in part to promote the Drag Show. This event brought new groups of students to weekly trivia night — as well as introducing and educating regular attendees to the culture of drag.
Sophomore Student Leader
Caroline Walker
Caroline has dedicated time and effort to improving the Wake Forest community in a variety of ways. Through their roles as News Editor for the Old Gold & Black, content development assistant for the Office of Sustainability, and Co-Chair of the Academic Committee of Student Government, this student has quickly created wide avenues for positive change. With their persistent work, dedication, and constant effort, they have worked with the Office of Academic Advising to plan, schedule, and run the Major and Minor Fair for underclassmen during the fall semester. This recipient also helped organize the creation of a student-athlete video and sought to bridge gaps between students and athletes in the university.
Unsung Hero
Ashley Estrela
This individual is the epitome of a student who, in being dedicated to the success of their organization has positively impacted the Wake Forest Community with little fanfare. As an example, they took on an event outside of their responsibilities, and successfully led the collaboration with the Anthony Aston Players for their annual Haunted Tunnels event. Working with them every step of the way on that event, including the night-of, when they wore zombie makeup while the event went on for several hours. Though the spring concert didn’t happen. All of the behind the scenes work she did to get Bryce Vine, book Wait Chapel, design a poster and a sticker and everything else—all this will now go unseen by the student body due to cancellation. This person deserves this award because of everything she does for Student Union, and for campus.
Junior Student Leader
Zach Gregory
Zach has made outstanding contributions to Take the Fight to Cancer. Said one of their nominators, “they have tirelessly worked to bridge the gap between Wake Forest students and the Winston Salem community. Even after spending many long hours volunteering at Wake Forest Baptist, this individual took the time to help other volunteers in the organization. This individual tirelessly looks for new ways our organization can broaden its reach. He leads by example, coming in for extra volunteer shifts throughout the week to help attend patient appointments, print off patient schedules, make follow-up calls, and work to reorganize and structure our patient filing system”.
Living Our Values Award
Christine Pangborn
Christine is a senior Business and Enterprise Management Major, and is serving as the current co-chair for the Board of Investigators and Advisors. They have been a member of the Board of Investigators and Advisors since their sophomore year. Christine has demonstrated personal character and responsibility, ensuring that every case is assigned an advisor and that every BIA member is given the opportunity to ask for help. Our recipient worked to make sure that the stories of students and student organizations in the conduct process were told fairly and without bias. This person has almost tripled the amount of time a BIA member works, by serving 86 hours, which does not include the weekly meetings or any of the non-case work they have taken on. Said one of the nominators: “They were amazing. They helped me arrive feeling prepared and helped me keep my nerves in the process.”
Bridge Builder Award
Mariama Jallow
Mariama has exhibited a passion for learning and applying their knowledge to helping people in the community. They actively work everyday to make the Wake Forest Community a better place in everything they do. As an involved member of several organizations including Africasa, Black Student Alliance, and Student Government they are often found in key roles that push and voice the objectives of these organizations. They dedicate their time to make sure that every student on this campus is heard and feels safe. With key roles in the Student Government Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the President’s Commission on Race, Equity, and Community she gives back in every way she can.
Campus Partner of the Year
Jessica Wallace
Jessica has proven over and over again how wonderful she is at her job, and creates beautiful and delicious food for campus events. For instance, for the Big Trivia Marvel edition, she created a fruit shield in the shape of Captain America’s shield, and for Homecoming, she created little cupcakes with a bonfire on them. She is a key partner in many campus events, spanning as vast as Family Weekend and late night breakfast, down to a last minute request for a Thursday afternoon committee meeting. She is an extremely talented, kind and patient person. She loves to listen to students and help make all of their ideas come true. By encouraging students to think big with their ideas, this campus partner allows students to successfully execute their events and grow as leaders by. Through formal meetings she enhances students confidence, communication, and budgeting skills.
Senior Student Leader
Mikayla Thomas
Mikayla has accomplished so much in their four years at Wake Forest. They are a passionate student leader on issues related to diversity, inclusion, and equity. They have spent ample time working with various campus departments and student organizations to develop policies and practices to support survivors of sexual and relationship violence. Additionally, this person has mentored emerging student leaders over the years through her work in the Title IX Office, PREPARE, and as a founding member of LEAVES. She is also committed to her band fraternity on campus where she has been instrumental in developing a sense of community, safety, and friendship.
Chinuntdet-Crowe Scholarship Recipient
Mark Sucoloski
Mark is a Sophomore from Lutherville, MD, majoring in Communication and minoring in entrepreneurship, social enterprise, and sociology. He has exemplified leadership in multiple areas, such as serving as the scheduler for Chi Rho, Resident Advisor, standards chair for Alpha Phi Omega, and volunteers with the Forsyth Humane Society.
New Student Organization of the Year
Psychology Club
This club has raised over $6000 to support the American Foundation for suicide prevention. They have also received sponsorships from Krankies coffee and the Wake Forest Business school, and support from the Winston Salem Journal to help raise awareness of suicide prevention. This organization has worked with Cook Elementary school to support their afterschool program and tutor children. This academic year this organization has collaborated with the OCCE and the art club on a mental health week distress event called the “It’s Bubbly Time!”
Advisor of the Year
Kevin Frazier
It is not unusual for Kevin to stay on campus until late into the evening (think LATE — close to midnight) both to help individual students or to assist in the leadership and success of the Anthony Aston Players (AAP) student organization. This recipient’s efforts has allowed students to receive supervision and access to equipment and resources in the university theater. Advising the organization with the deepest concern for each student’s wellbeing, they are always willing to drop whatever they are doing to help a student or meet organizational needs.
Student Leader of the Year
Burke Preston
Burke serves as the President of the Finance Club. They have been dedicated to making the Finance club networking trip successful and beneficial to the students. As a Junior he guided students through networking events, while managing a rigorous academic schedule. Even as the Finance Club is transitioning they are still committed to the advancement of the club. They are currently working towards building a student scholarship to help those who may not be in the best financial position to attend the trip. Additionally, he is working on building the club out more, to encompass more career paths and to be available to more students. Seeing his dedication to genuinely wanting students to succeed and to have the best opportunity available to them is amazing to me. The time and effort he puts into it is unheard of and not fully realized. Burke deserves all the recognition and appreciation for everything he has done for the club and students.
Event of the Year
Wake N Shake
This event, in its 15th year, is a classic piece of Wake Forest. Never to be taken for granted in terms of innovation, when COVID-19 forced campus closures the student executive team–Felton Hatcher, Kylie Reed, and Mary Britton Anderson– kicked into high gear and started to plan alternatives to the classic, in-person format. Students worked together to tape and edit videos from faculty, staff, students, champions, and community members. They developed a marketing campaign to communicate the transition to a virtual platform. They came up with dance challenges for each hour, and established shared Spotify lists to stream. In two weeks, students mobilized departments and groups across campus to execute an incredibly complex event. This event is complicated to plan in person, but adapting to a virtual environment was an added challenge. It would have been easy to say, “We don’t have time; this is too difficult.” But, instead, students rallied, worked together, and continued to raise money for cancer research. These students ensured a WF tradition continued remotely, and provided an opportunity for the entire community to come together in a difficult time.
Collaboration of the Year
South Asian Students Association, Hindu Students Association, & Asian Student Interest Association – South & Southeast Asian Holiday Fest
In Early November, three organizations collaborated to create the first-ever South and Southeast Asian Holiday Fest. This celebration is devoted to the various autumn holidays of South and Southeast Asian nations and religious traditions. The first South and Southeast Asian Holiday Fest provides much-needed representation to the Asian community at Wake Forest University, and Winston-Salem as all are welcome to come and celebrate. We are excited to present the collaboration of the year to the South Asian Students Association (S.A.S.A.), Hindu Students Association (H.S.A.), and Asian Student Interest Association (A.S.I.A.).
Advisor Achievement Award
Camry Wilborn
The recipient of this award started advising the Network of Educational Resources and Development (NERD) in early August. She quickly met with each of the 22 student organizations focused on tutoring and/or mentoring, including Project Launch, Wake Academy, Big Brother Big Sisters, and Wake for Winston. She created training (i.e. Protection of Minors) and worked with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System to develop accountability measures for student tutors and mentors. Camry developed an interest form and training for students who wanted to tutor virtually, and matched volunteers with children in the community. In the first 24 hours, more than 100 WFU students volunteered.
Student Organization of the Year
Anthony Aston Players
This organization has provided not just an immense service to its membership this year, but to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities as a whole. This group provided numerous opportunities for members and the Wake Forest community as a whole to get involved in theatre (acting, technical design, visual art, stage management, event production, etc.) by sponsoring a student done play that was performed each night to a packed audience. In addition to this, they put on a haunted house fundraiser (Haunted Tunnels) and facilitated support for theatrical honors projects. They also worked to support the Wake Forest Theatre Department by building and taking down sets, runs concessions, helping put up posters, and many other services for the larger department. This semester, AAP also hosted several discussions about race, gender, and equality, game nights, an Oscars watch party, a Super Bowl watch party, a pumpkin patch trip, new member icebreaker events, and more. In addition, AAP implemented a new mentorship program between upperclassmen and first years, which allowed first years guidance, support, and a person to whom they could ask questions, as well as providing many new opportunities for connection and friendship.
Contribution to Student Life Award
Andrew Cave, Caleb Woody, Emily Beauchamp, Heather Cozzie, Isabella Ryan, Jack Walsh, Jackson Cogar, Julia Mroz, Keara Halpern, Laura Fazekas, Logan Bolton, Mellie Mesfin, Megan Hopkins, Mikey Matone, Raven McCorkle, Tyler Miller, Victoria Parker, & Zoe Rodgers
This award recognizes Junior and Senior students who have significantly contributed to the improvement of the quality of student life during their time at Wake Forest. Criteria includes: Specific contributions to student life through involvement in campus activities, academic initiatives, student governance, community service, leadership and their pursuits to support and empower their peers.