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OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADER AWARD RECIPIENTS - 2009
 John
Carroll University is filled with many students who have devoted
themselves to serving the university through involvement and embodying
the characteristics and qualities of a leader. The Outstanding Student
Leader Award is designed to recognize graduating seniors who, through
their dedicated leadership and involvement, have made significant
contributions to changing the campus culture in a positive way during
their time here at JCU. These leaders have consistently and unselfishly
given of themselves in efforts to enhance the spirit and community
of John Carroll and improve our university as an institution altogether.
Congratulations to the five seniors recognized at Senior Celebration
on May 13, 2009 for receiving the second annual Outstanding Student
Leader Awards!
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Samantha Cocco
Samantha Cocco is a woman who flourishes in all aspects of what
it is to be an outstanding leader. She has demonstrated her
outstanding leadership abilities through leading retreats such
as the First Year Retreat and the Manresa Retreat. She served
as a co-chair for the second annual American Cancer Society
Relay For Life at John Carroll, a New Student Orientation Leader
after her freshman year, an officer for Amnesty International
and the student-published World View Magazine, and a member
of Every Two Minutes. Her commitment to service and social justice
are remarkable and admirable. For two years, Samantha's Friday
nights consisted of helping to run the Labre Project, where
she made friends with and helped many of the homeless and poor
in Cleveland. She has been on immersion experiences to Duran,
Ecuador and Tijuana, Mexico. Her involvement with social justice
and social action extends into programs such as JUSTICE, Take
Back the Night, the Right to Life March, Allies, the Civic Engagement
Project Speakers' Bureau, and the "Vagina Monologues."
Not only does she excel in leadership and service, but her academics
are also extraordinary, earning a 3.83 major GPA and several
academic honors and awards. Samantha also further seeks to expand
her knowledge through attending conferences, workshops, and
teach-ins. "Her activities have made a major difference
in the lives of many people on the JCU campus, as well as the
broader Cleveland Community." |
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Douglas Gault
Doug Gault is a senior that "has fully taken advantage
of all that Carroll has to offer its students, and has left
an indelible mark on the campus as a whole and the students
he's touched." Not only has Doug been an influential
Resident Assistant for two years, but he also served as a
New Student Orientation Leader and as Publicity Chair for
both Spring Concert and Homecoming on the Student Union Programming
Board. In addition, Doug is a founding member of Beta Theta
Pi Fraternity and was also the Public Relations Chair. Doug's
leadership doesn't stop there. His continual service work
can be seen from being a student mentor, lector, Eucharistic
Minister, coordinator for the Immokalee immersion experience,
and Manresa Retreat leader. Doug has volunteered for programs
such as the Labre Project, Through the Eyes of a Child, Project
HOPE, and Relay for Life. This does not begin to explain Doug's
involvement on campus. Not only is Doug an involved member
of John Carroll's community, but he has also been inducted
into Pi Sigma Alpha and Order of Omega, two prestigious academic
honor societies. "If ever there was a word to describe
Mr. Gault and all his accomplishments, his character, and
his integrity as an individual, it can only be that he is
truly 'outstanding.'" |
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Jessica Landis
Jess Landis has spent the past four years of her college career
leading and serving the John Carroll community through a number
of different leadership roles and activities. Jessica is a founding
member and former President of Every Two Minutes, a group dedicated
to educating students about issues of major concern about sexual
assault. She has served as a Resident Assistant in Murphy Hall
for three years, her third year being the Senior Resident Assistant.
Additionally, she is a member of JCUEMS and the Senior Class
President. Her dedication to service is evident through her
consistent participation in retreats such as the Manresa Retreat,
which she led as both a team member and a co-leader. Jessica
participated in the Honduras immersion experience and was co-coordinated
the trip for the following year. Additionally, Jessica maintains
a high level of academic excellence as proven by her induction
into Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society and her participation
in the Honors Program. "The best student leaders have an
understanding of the creative tensions between negotiation and
compromise, standing up for your beliefs and adapting to less-than-ideal
circumstances. In my interactions and conversations with Jessica
she has demonstrated a strong commitment to student advocacy,
tempered by an awareness of the realities and challenges of
university life." Jess has been described by others as
"dedicated, generous, thoughtful, and creative." Jessica
received the award of Student Union Person of the Year, further
exhibiting the influence she has had on John Carroll's campus. |
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Patrick "Patty Mac" McDermott
Patrick McDermott, or more commonly known around campus as "Patty
Mac," is a student leader that has made a significant impact
on the John Carroll campus throughout the past four years. Mr.
McDermott's "academic, leadership, and personal qualities
are exceptional." Patrick has been an involved member of
the Student Union for four years, acting as a class senator,
Sophomore Class President, and Executive Vice President. During
his time, he coordinated the implementation of a new shuttle
service to surrounding areas in Cleveland. He has served as
a Resident Assistant for three years in both Murphy and Bernet
Halls. Additionally, he was a member of the New Student Orientation
Staff for two consecutive years. He served on the Student Union
Programming Board's Spring Concert Committee as Hospitality
Chairman and Security & Risk Management Chairman. Patrick
is also a member of One-In-Four and Rhapsody Blue. He has shown
his dedication to service through his participation in immersion
experiences to Chicago, Illinois and Reynosa, Mexico. His commitment
to academics is proven through maintaining a high GPA and earning
Dean's List honors every semester. "Patrick stands out
among the student body at John Carroll University in terms of
the breadth of his interests and his commitment to service both
on and off campus." |
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Matthew Wooters
Matt Wooters has exuded extraordinary leadership skills through
his immense participation in a great number of student groups.
Matt is a founding father of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and
served as the fraternity's Member Educator. Matt also acted
as a Resident Assistant in Murphy Hall, a member of One-In-Four,
and a Tour Guide in the Office of Admissions. Matt recently
served as a coordinator for the Reynosa, Mexico immersion
experience, where he led the group to a new immersion site.
Matt's dedication to service is apparent through his participation
in such events as Through the Eyes of a Child, Project HOPE,
and Relay For Life. Matt has both participated in and led
the Manresa Retreat. He spent a week in January of 2006 volunteering
to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Additionally,
Matt travelled to the Dominican Republic, where he worked
with Haitian refugees. Matt was the Volunteer and Security
Chairman for the Spring Concert committee on the Student Union
Programming Board. He is also a member of College Democrats,
JUSTICE, Amnesty International, the Labre Project, and Respect
for Life Club. Matt has been described as "selfless,
committed and engaging." "He never fails to go above
and beyond for those around him, and always stands out as
a leader on campus and within organizations of which he is
a part. Matt embodies the Jesuit 'man for others' mantra." |
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