This past Tuesday, the 46th Annual Division of Student Affairs Convocation honored students in Pottle Auditorium.
SGA President Maria Necheava won Woman of the Year and junior communication major Lucky Ameh won Man of the Year.
Several students were named to the Dr. Marvin L. Yates Student Hall of Fame, including:
- Eva Delatte
- Kayla Edwards
- Raynia Johnson
- Mahesh Pandit
- Cameron Cockerham
- Madison Moses
- Emily Lidikay
- Walker Peyton
- Oreoluwa Onafowokan
The Pinnacle awards are among the convocation’s newest honors, recognizing students in each classification. The winners include:
Pinnacle Freshman of the Year: Ayla Guidry
Pinnacle Sophomore of the Year: Daniel Laseinde
Pinnacle Junior of the Year: Zachary Edwards
Pinnacle Senior of the Year: Kennith Woods
Pinnacle Graduate Student of the Year: La’Chele Green
All award recipients are listed below. Congratulations to all students and faculty recognized at the convocation.
Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Senior Compliance Officer Dr. Christy Montgomery opened the convocation by recognizing student award recipients for their dedication to the institution, family, and faculty and staff who were in attendance.
“To award recipients, you have distinguished yourselves in ways that inspire not only peers, but all of us who have had the privilege of supporting your journey. To our entire Southeastern community, tonight is a true testament to the power of connection, involvement and belonging. It affirms that when students are supported, when they are challenged and when they are empowered, they fly,” Montgomery said.
Dr. Joe Burns took the stage as master of ceremonies, welcoming students, administration, faculty, staff and family.
The new SGA Big Three were sworn in to begin the convocation. The new officers for 2026-2027 are Rejoice Adewale as Chief of Justice, Kaleb Melacon as Vice President and Maria Nechaeva as President.
Burns continued to recognize many different award recipients throughout the night. A notable moment was also delivered with the Intramural Points Award, now renamed the Mr. Jim McHodgkins Award for Intramural Excellence.
“The building he helped bring to life will forever carry his name through this award, as the intramural points award will now be known as the Mr. Jim McHodgkins Award for Intramural Excellence,” Burns said.
56 students were recognized for the Jackie Dale Thomas Green “S” Award, 16 new student organizations were established and recognized and new students were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Dr. Eric Summers, vice president for student affairs, delivered the closing remarks to the audience.
Award Winners:
Zealon Solomon SGA Award of Excellence: Abigail Thompson
Homecoming Award: Alpha Sigma Tau, Delta Tau Delta and Theta Phi Alpha
Outstanding Student Parent Advocate Award: Susan Sawyer
CARE (Campus Assault Response and Education) Team Advocate of the Year Award: Sgt. Michelle Blanchard
ExCEL Rookie of the Year: Rene Watson Jr., freshman music education major
ExCEL Scholar of the Year: Sydney Shalett, senior biological sciences major
Stellar Student Advocate Award: Jennifer Kerner Colliflower
Heart of a Lion Award: Delaney Wells, sophomore communication major
Student Conduct Hearing Board Member of the Year: Kayla Edwards, senior communication major and Chief Justice of SGA
L.I.V.E the Code Achievement Award: Subin Bista, senior computer science major
Ken Ridgedell Exceptional Student Worker Award: Kendall Adams
University Counseling Center Outstanding Intern Award: Stanley Hamilton
Lion Up Collegiate Recovery Award: Jordan Cole
Student Publications Award of Distinction: Haley Dupre, graduate strategic communication major and Kennith Woods, senior communication major
Transportation Services Student Ambassador Award: Kayla Edwards
R.I.S.E Award: Miranda Sensat, 2026 Miss Southeastern Louisiana University and Kaylie Anderson, 2025 Homecoming Queen
Dr. LaVanner S. Brown Role Model Award: Kennith Woods
Most Outstanding International Student Award: Oreoluwa Onafowokan
Student Organization Award of Excellence: Knitty Gritty and Alpha Omicron Pi
New Student Organization Charters: DECA at Southeastern, Southeastern Fur Pack, Young Democratic Republicans of SLU, Lions Feathers and Fins Club, Athletic Training Student Association, Turning Point USA, Young Democratic Socialists of America, N.A.A.C.P., Sons of Promise, Daughters of Destiny, Tau Alpha Pi, Italian Club, Google Developer Group, Lions for Life, Men’s Volleyball Club, Revive Campus Ministries and Micreaux Club
FSL Community Service Award: Tri Sigma
FSL Academic Award:
- Collegiate Panhellenic Council: Alpha Omicron Pi
- National Pan-Hellenic Council Sorority: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- National Pan-Hellenic Council Fraternity: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
- Interfraternity Council: Delta Tau Delta
Outstanding Chapter Award:
- Collegiate Panhellenic Council: Theta Phi Alpha
- National Pan-Hellenic Council Sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- National Pan-Hellenic Council Fraternity: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
- Interfraternity Council: Theta Chi
Sorority Member of the Year: Kaylie Anderson, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Nakia “Boog” Merill Fraternity Member of the Year: Aidan Hidalgo, Tau Kappa Epsilon
Lifetime Achievement Award: James “Jim” McHodgkins
James “Jim” McHodgkins Award for Intramural Excellence, Fraternity: Delta Tau Delta
James “Jim” McHodgkins Award for Intramural Excellence, Sorority: Phi Mu
Kathy L. Pittman Golden Roar Award: Julie Perise
Keeper of the Lion Pride: Darius Woodfork, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life
Influential Educator of the Year Award: Dr. Frances Fonza, SLU choral director
Studnets who won the Jackie Dale Thomas Green “S” Award:
Aaron Dupuy, Addison Taylor, Aidan Hidalgo, Alivia Guidry, Amaiyah Griffin, Amanda Babin, Amy Nesbit, Anna Malnar, Asyia Blount, Ava Phillips, Avone Robertson, Bobbi Sampson, Brinley Manville, Cameron Cockerham, Cei’Ajha Jimerson, Chloe Raybourn, Christian Bankovic, Christian Jones, Cyndall Vazquez, Emily Lidikay, Emma Woodring, Faith Richard, Gracie Bercegeay, Hope Adams, Italy Mitchell, J’Niya Thomas, Jordan Lobell, Kaleb Melacon, Kasey Gottschalk, Katie Ward, Kaylie Anderson, Kory Gennaro, Lainey Hindman, Lucky Ameh, Madison DeHart, Maya Variganji, Megan Cresson, Meghan Persick, Mia Austin, Olivia Reeves, Opemipo David Mustapha, Opeyemi Sajo, Oreoluwa Onafowokan, Paul Zieske, Raynia Johnson, Rejoice Adewale, Sean Hoffman, Stephanie Mendoza, Sydney Shalett, Tailer Borne, Taisia Bolsova Zadoinov, Taylor Kenny, Taylor Underwood, Travers Benoit, Trinity Montes and Vivian Katz.
