News
Student Leadership Awards highlight outstanding student impacts on campus and beyond
Award recipients at Tennessee Tech's 2024 Student Leadership Awards
Students at Tennessee Tech University make an impact on their campus community in
ways that extend far beyond the classroom, bringing vibrancy to campus life and advancing
the university’s mission through meaningful connections with their peers.
As the spring 2024 semester came to a close, a number of these engaged and impactful
students were recognized in the university’s Student Leadership Awards, sponsored
by the Student Government Association and Omnicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society.
“At Tennessee Tech, students live by the mantra of being bold, fearless, confident
and kind. Each student in this room has exemplified these traits in their leadership
and dedication to our campus community,” Mattea Trustee, Student Government Association
secretary of planning, initiatives and events told attendees at a ceremony held to
honor the winners. “Being a college student is a difficult feat in itself. But being
a student leader brings even more challenges, and each of you has risen above these
obstacles to make a lasting impact on Tennessee Tech.”
The Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Zaire Mattox, whose leadership
on campus dates back to 2020 in roles that include volunteer, committee chair, ambassador,
director, senator, vice president, president and mentor.
“As a member and officer of the National Society for Black Engineers since 2021, this
student helped the Tennessee Tech chapter to receive awards at the regional and national
level, including Region 3 small chapter of the year, and Organization of the Year
during last year’s SGA Student Leadership Awards,” noted Vice President for Student
Affairs Cynthia Polk-Johnson. “Her nominator describes her as a true servant leader,
constantly volunteering to help others and committed to helping underrepresented students
thrive in STEM disciplines.”
Addison Dorris was presented with the Spirit of Tennessee Tech Award, recognizing
her overall contributions to the Tennessee Tech community and the embodiment of Tennessee
Tech school spirit and values.
From left: Tech President Phil Oldham is pictured with Addison Dorris, winner of the
2024 Spirit of Tennessee Tech Award.
“(Addison) happens to have a resume filled with impressive positions and accomplishments,”
said Tech President Phil Oldham. “But she also has a reputation for kindness, hard
work and a deep and abiding love for Tennessee Tech. According to her nominator, she
sees other students’ skills and helps them achieve their potential. She seeks to empower
others and leads with integrity.”
The Unsung Hero Award was presented to students who may not be accustomed to recognition,
working hard behind the scenes to make campus and their organizations better. Students
honored include Jessica Delong, William Massey, Emily Armstrong, Emma Fontenot and
Cheyenne Bare.
From the Office of Communications and Marketing, Cameron Jasper was recognized as
Student Worker of the Year for his work on the office’s student social media team.
Alex Call was also recognized as a nominee for the OCM award.
Legacy Awards were presented to members of the Fraternity and Sorority Life community
whose dedication has left a lasting impact.
“Legacy Awards recipients are seniors whose work has paved the way for others, helped
to take their chapter to the next level, or increased the visibility and reputation
of the FSL community at large,” said FSL Coordinator Jacob Jeffers.
Winners included: for servant leadership, Hailey Smith; for service to the university,
Mattea Trusty; for excellent mentoring and sustained service, Jymon T. Scott; for
council and community leadership, Samaria Allen; for leadership and campus engagement,
Ben Ebel; and for paving the way for others, Karol Guerra.
Awards were also presented to students in their first or second year at Tech who are
already on their way to leaving a lasting impact at the university. Winners included
Whitney Robison, Mason Henderson, Kenneth Clack, Harrison Simpson and Kelsey Hewitt.
Other recognized organizations include:
- Alpha Psi Lambda National, breakout student organization of the year
- The EDM Club, breakout student organization of the year
- Rhythm Games Club, new student organization of the year
- Engineering Joint Council, organizational excellence award
- Block and Bridle, organizational excellence award
- Omega Phi Alpha, organizational excellence award
- Miracle, student organization of the year award
- Bangladeshi Student Union, program of the year award
Student organization officers recognized for their leadership and service included
Caz Bilbrey, Lindsey Taylor, Jacob Guy, Sierra Alexander and Maxwell Wynne. George
Fordjour was recognized as the outstanding graduate student leader.
Members of Tennessee Tech's 2023 - 2024 Student Government Association give a "Wings
Up" at Tech's 2024 Student Leadership Awards.
“Our student organizations enjoy incredible support from their faculty and staff advisors,”
said Polk-Johnson. “Advisors help students clarify their goals and vision for the
organization, navigate member conflicts, take advantage of university resources and
more. For our 2023-2024 volunteer advisor of the year, this means late nights helping
students create a grow a new organization, individual mentoring and coaching and instilling
a sense of trust and confidence.”
The advisor of the year award was presented to Victoria Ayers for her work Sigma Alpha,
a professional agriculture sorority.
For more information about the awards and work done by Tech’s student leaders, visit
https://www.tntech.edu/sga/awards.php.
