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 Student Activities, Leadership and Volunteer Services, the Council of Student Organizations, and the Student Government Association.
Award Nominations and Eligibility
Students, faculty, and staff can submit nominations for each of the award categories via RowdyLink. Nominations to this year’s University Life Awards will be due by 11:55 pm on Monday, March 06.
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 2020-2021 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 2021-2022 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
46th Annual University Life Awards Recipients
Who's Who at UTSA
It is an exclusive honor to be a student selected to Who's Who at UTSA. Students included are freshmen to graduate level who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, leadership, participation in extracurricular and academic activities, and service to the University and the local community.
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:
- Ethan Guerrero - Psychology
- Trinity Schaefer - Civil Engineering
- Monika Stevens - Interdisciplinary Studies
- Taylor Cole - Master of Education - Higher Education
- Jose Escobedo
- Fernando Cordova - Interdisciplinary Studies
- Scott Johansen - Health
Not pictured:
- Priscilla Okolie
- Mary Shaw
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 2021-2022 academic year is part of the criteria.
Pictured from Left to Right:
- Sofi Cavenaile - Communications
- Adelite Hategeka - Civil Engineering
- Theo Palmer - Classical Studies and Humanities
- Erika McFarland - Public Health
- Celia Thomson - Communications
- UTSA Football Team
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Student Organization Awards
Outstanding Registered Student Organization
- Terry Scholars
Outstanding Student Organization President
- Javon Gillespie - Men of Honor
Outstanding Student Organization Initiative, Program, or Event
- Terry Scholars - Sunset Picnic
During the Sunset Picnic, more than 200 students from across the university came to the event. New students were able to meet friendly faces and connect with peers who offered advice on things like how to find classes, ways to be involved on campus, and even upcoming social activities. Congratulations again to the Terry Scholars.
Faculty and Staff Awards
Diane Abdo Outstanding Advisor
- Andrew Shelnutt
HOSA-Future Health Professionals - Deborah Wagner
The Anthropological Society at UTSA
Outstanding Staff Member
- Jill Ford
Outstanding Professor
- Allegra Montemayor
- Raquel Mira
- Youngjoong Joo
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: Victor Feagins
Outstanding Graduate - Alvarez College of Business: Melissa Ayoub
Outstanding Undergraduate - Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design: Daveedth A. Macias
Outstanding Graduate - Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design: Seyed Sasan Khedmatgozar Dolati
Outstanding Graduate - College of Liberal and Fine Arts: Cristobal Lopez
Outstanding Undergraduate - College of Sciences: Ana Narro
Outstanding Graduate - College of Sciences: Marissa Villarde
Outstanding Student - University College: Hannah Wool
Outstanding Student - Honors College: Joshua Chaj Ulloa
