The Division for Student Affairs Leadership Ambassadors were recognized at the annual convocation. The event included the DSA Outstanding Man and Woman of the Year and the Greek Man and Woman of the Year awards being presented to students for their involvement on campus. Nikisun Shrestha/The Lion’s Roar
The Division for Student Affairs organized their annual convocation this past week to recognize the achievements of various university students and organizations.
On Tuesday, Apr. 25, DSA awarded The Man and Woman of the Year, Greek Man and Woman of the Year and the Green “S” awards.
Senior communication major Neil Bourgeois was awarded the DSA Outstanding Man of the Year award. He describes his feelings after receiving the honor.
“I was honestly surprised watching the video announcing that I had won,” said Bourgeois. “I know that there are many amazing student leaders on Southeastern’s campus who also deserve this award. I cried multiple times watching the video because winning this award meant so much to me. I feel incredibly blessed to be the 2017 DSA Outstanding Man of the Year.”
Bourgeois expresses how he has grown over the years and feels he is on the right track after being awarded.
“Southeastern truly means everything to me,” said Bourgeois. “It has brought me so many amazing opportunities to grow as a leader and a person. I am not the same person today that I was when I stepped on this campus in the fall of 2013. Getting the DSA Outstanding Man of the Year award validates to me that I am doing something right. Anyone that knows me knows that my true passion is leadership. I try everyday to be the best me and the best leader I can be.”
President of Sigma Tau Delta and former president of Gamma Beta Phi Abbie Chiasson was awarded the DSA Outstanding Woman of the Year. Like Bourgeois, Chiasson was surprised after being awarded.
“I was totally shocked,” said Chiasson. “I never thought I could get something like that. I’m not part of the SGA, I’m not in DSA and they had so many other people there who I felt were more qualified than I was. So, I was totally shocked. I was really excited when they gave my organization an award. I was just so excited with that, and I was ready to go. So, I was really surprised.”
Lauren Lambert was named the Greek Woman of the Year while Austin Rogers was awarded the Greek Man of the Year. Lambert shares how she felt after being awarded and also how being involved with Greek life helped her.
“It was great,” said Lambert. “I wasn’t expecting it because there were so many people nominated for the award. It’s just great to be recognized. In high school, I wasn’t that involved, and I never thought I’d join Greek life. So, I just think everyone should give it a chance because I’ve grown so much. It gives you a lot of opportunity to be involved.”
Bourgeois shares his plans at the university and his future.
“I have a year left before my time here at Southeastern is done,” said Bourgeois. “I plan to continue to dedicate my time to the organizations I will continue to work hard so I can get into a graduate school for Student Affairs as that is my passion and what I want my career to be in. I will continue to find ways to grow because a leader never stops growing.”
Chiasson also describes her plans for this year and beyond.
“I’m graduating next spring,” said Chiasson. “Next semester, I’m gonna be in methods for education and the semester after that I’ll be in Student Teaching. I’m getting married in December. So, a lot of my efforts will probably be going into that.”
Neil Bourgeois, a senior communication major, was awarded Division for Student Affairs Outstanding Man of the Year award.
Nikisun Shrestha/The Lion's Roar
Abbie Chiasson, an English education major, won the DSA Outstanding Woman of the Year.
Nikisun Shrestha/The Lion's Roar
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Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity won the 2017 Outstanding Pan-Hellenic Chapter of the Year award.
Nikisun Shrestha/The Lion’s Roar
