Utah State University Celebrates 54th Robins Awards

Utah State University hosted the 54th annual Bill E. Robins Awards ceremony Saturday, April 21. Organized by ASUSU Traditions Director Kylie Martinez and hosted by senior Joe Watson and freshman Britnee Bromley, the Robins Awards are one of the highest accolades given by students at the university.

Elisabeth Arellano, a senior in international business and marketing, received the 2012 Bill E. Robins Award. The award is given to a senior who excelled academically, displayed outstanding leadership ability, showed dedication to Utah State and possesses traits that set him or her apart as a rare individual.

“It feels amazing to know I’ve made a difference at Utah State, especially since the university has made such a difference in my life,” Arellano said.

The Gerald R. Sherratt Award is given to a member of the university who has displayed superior leadership skills and abilities as well as unsurpassed dedication and service to others. The Taggart Student Center Facilities Staff was recognized for its continued dedication and service to the students of Utah State University.

“It was great to have recognition for the work we do. We appreciate the people we work with,” said Spencer Bitner, the facilities technical coordinator who accepted the award on behalf of the TSC Facilities staff.

The Faculty Shared Governance of the Year Award was a new addition for 2012. The award goes to the faculty member who, through leadership, demonstrates high involvement in service activities and mentoring of others to assume significant responsibilities in shared university governance. Diane Calloway-Graham, a social work professor, received the inaugural award.

Other awards included:

Man of the Year: Logan Smith; Woman of the Year: Luci Griffiths; Organization of the Year: ASUSU Programming Board; Male Athlete of the Year: Robert Turbin; Female Athlete of the Year: Natalie Norris; Talent of the Year: Sally Rydalch – art;  Acheivement of the Year:  Brooke Evans; Val R. Christensen Service Award: Michelle Allgood; Legacy of Utah State Award: Lisa Boyd; Scholar of the Year: Mark Noble; Professor of the Year: Brian Warnick; Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year: Maegan Lokteff; Professional Advisor of the Year:  Donna Minch; Faculty Advisor of the Year: Luella Oaks; Undergraduate Researcher of the Year: Willian Brady DeHart; Graduate Researcher of the Year: Megan Mitchell; Faculty Researcher of the Year: Yangquan Chen.

The Robins Awards memorialize Bill E. Robins. As student body president in 1949, Robins did his best to improve the university for all. Robins’ name has stood through the years as a symbol of the best USU has to offer.

Contact: Abigail Kingsford, ASUSU PR director, (435) 797-2912, abigail.kingsford@aggiemail.usu.edu