University Life Awards
The University Life Awards recognize outstanding students, student organizations, staff, and faculty for their contributions to the quality of student life at UTSA. The awards are one of UTSA’s longest traditions and are presented annually during the spring semester. The celebratory event is a collaborative effort by the Student Involvement Center, Honors Alliance, and the Student Government Association.
Award Nominations and Eligibility
Individual Student Awards
There are three types of individual student awards. The highest honors of the event go to the recipients of the Jane Findling Award, recognizing individual achievements over the 2024-2025 academic year, and the Golden Feather Award, recognizing students that have crafted a powerful legacy over the course of their academic careers at UTSA. The required GPA and credit hour requirements for consideration are different for undergraduate and graduate students and can be found on the nomination form.
Most Outstanding by Classification Award
This award goes to students in each classification who best demonstrate outstanding leadership and service to UTSA and the local community. Academic achievement, participation in, and significant contribution to the University and the community are considered. Classification as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior is based on credit hours.
Jane Findling Award
Named for the first person to serve as the UTSA Director of Student Activities and University Center from 1977 to 1990, the Jane Findling Award was established to remember the students who dedicated their time and talent in the early days of UTSA. Today, this award recognizes students who best demonstrate outstanding excellence in leadership and service to the University and best represent the ideal UTSA student leader. A nominee’s impact and lasting legacy to the university community over the 2024-2025 academic year is part of the criteria.
Golden Feather Award
The Golden Feather Award is a prestigious award that recognizes students whose contributions to UTSA have greatly benefited the University during their entire UTSA career. Their accomplishments represent the ideal UTSA student leader who excels academically and in their co-curricular activities. These students are driven by passion and love for their fellow Roadrunner community and are leaving a legacy to students of the future.
Student Organization Awards
There are four categories of awards to recognize the efforts of Registered Student Organizations (RSO) at UTSA and their leadership. The nomination form allows for multiple submissions to each category. All organization and leadership information will be verified through RowdyLink.
Outstanding Student Organization President
The Outstanding Student Organization President award recognizes a president from a currently registered student organization who advanced the mission of their student organization while challenging and encouraging the membership to advance new initiatives, acquire new skills, and prepared the group for leadership transition and ongoing success. Nominees must be listed on the organizations RowdyLink roster.
Outstanding New Student Organization
The Outstanding New Student Organization Award recognizes an organization that demonstrated a progression of growth throughout the year(s) as indicated by their programming and membership. This organization will have had an impact on the University community either through programming or fulfilling a void in the institution. Nominees must be six or fewer semesters in existence.
Outstanding Registered Student Organization
The Outstanding Registered Student Organization award recognizes an organization that demonstrated innovation and creativity through its activities and programs. The organization embodies the UTSA spirit through its commitment to leadership development, collaboration among groups, and programmatic efforts to enhance the quality of campus life at the University. Nominees must be registered for at least two semesters in existence
Outstanding Student Organization Initiative, Program, or Event
The Outstanding Student Organization Initiative, Program, or Event award recognizes an organization that demonstrated innovation and creativity through a single Initiative, Program, or Event. Initiative, program, or event should be impactful to either members, the university committee, or the San Antonio community.
Faculty and Staff Awards
There are three types of faculty (professor) and staff awards. These awards recognize the work, dedication, and care given to students and student organizations by a faculty or staff member at UTSA.
- Diane Abdo Outstanding Advisor Award
- Outstanding Staff Member
- Outstanding Professor
48th Annual University Life Awards Recipients
Golden Feather
The Golden Feather Award recognizes students whose contributions to UTSA have greatly benefited the University during their entire UTSA career. Their accomplishments represent the ideal UTSA student leader who excels academically and in their co-curricular activities during their entire time at UTSA. The recipients of this award are driven by passion and love for their fellow Roadrunner community and are leaving a legacy.
Pictured from Left to Right:
- Angelica Cordero
- Ethan Guerrero
- Ricky Pagnozzi II
- Vicky Kidder
Not pictured:
- Pragathi Durga Rajarajan
Jane Findling Award
The Jane Findling Award recognizes students who best demonstrate outstanding excellence in leadership and service to the University and best represent the ideal UTSA student leader. Impact and legacy to the university community over the 2024-2025 academic year is part of the criteria.
Pictured from Left to Right:
- James Saenz
- Tanner Balolong
- Josiah Benavidez
- Ashleigh-Chellsie Aminkeng
- Kelinda Shen
Not pictured:
- Elizabeth Treviño
- Jacquez Ballou
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Student Organization Awards
Outstanding Registered Student Organization
- Pakistan Student Association
Outstanding New Student Organization
- Sustainable Artisanal Soapmaking Society and You (SASSY)
Outstanding Student Organization President
- Ashleigh-Chellsie Aminkeng, Sustainable Artisanal Soapmaking Society and You (SASSY)
Outstanding Student Organization Initiative, Program, or Event
- No recipient
Faculty and Staff Awards
Diane Abdo Outstanding Advisor
- Eddie Hernandez
Outstanding Staff Member
- Clarissa Martinez
Outstanding Professor
- Erica Wallace
Outstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Students by College
The Outstanding College Awards are awarded by the individual colleges to a singular undergraduate and graduate student who shows exemplary academic excellence and service to their college.
Outstanding Undergraduate - Alvarez College of Business: Elissa Ayoub
Outstanding Graduate - Alvarez College of Business: Isra Hilal
Outstanding Undergraduate - College of Education and Human Development: Haley Aguilar
Outstanding Graduate - College of Education and Human Development: Brenda Rivera
Outstanding Undergraduate - Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design: Diego Valdes Cavazos
Outstanding Graduate - Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design: Juan Camilo Velasquez
Outstanding Undergraduate - College of Liberal and Fine Arts: Gary Young
Outstanding Graduate - College of Liberal and Fine Arts: Sydney Self
Outstanding Undergraduate - College of Health, Community and Policy: Madison Walden
Outstanding Graduate - College of Health, Community and Policy: Tori Holland
Outstanding Undergraduate - College of Sciences: Whitney Wendt
Outstanding Graduate - College of Sciences: Cassidy Lane
Outstanding Undergraduate - University College: Heather Kahl
Outstanding Graduate - University College: Candan Martin
