Celebrating 2023 SEAL Awards Recipients

On Wednesday April 26, student organizations gathered in the Armstrong Pavilion to celebrate their many accomplishments and achievements throughout the academic year at the 2023 Student Engagement and Leadership Awards. The Student Life team is beyond proud of the ways all of our organizations have continued to prosper and flourish throughout the years. We would like to honor these students, organizations, and advisors once again for their hard work and dedication to involvement and leadership at Miami throughout the academic year. 

Below is the list of our 54 awards and winners for the 2023 SEAL Awards:

Innovative Event of the Year

Engineers Without Borders – Innovation Day

Gerald Yearwood Diversity Programming Award

Asian American Association – Asian Cultural Festival

Unity Event of the Year

Hawks Peer Health Educators & Miami Athletics

I Step Up: Bystander Intervention: A Talk With Kyle Richard

Recurring Event of the Year

The Indian Student Association – Diwali 2022

Philanthropic/Service Event of the Year

Engineers Without Borders – Rwanda Water Pipeline Implementation Trip

Best Media

Treblemakers Acapella – Dream On Video Single

Best Poster/Flyer

Miami University Fashion & Design – Oasis Fashion Show Flyer

Best Social Media Campaign

Miami University Student Foundation – Joining the Legacy Campaign

Social Sustainability Awards

Green Gamers

Spectrum & League of Geeks – Geeks and Gays

Economic Sustainability Award

Ian Murphy – Geography and Planning Society

Environmental Sustainability Award

Lauren McCann – EcoReps

Most Improved Student Organization of the Year

Stage Left

New Organization of the Year

Cinci Smiles

CLT Member of the Year

Lily Stankevicius

CLT President of the Year

Nick Barillari

CLT of the Year

Anderson and Porter CLT

Greek Rising Leader of the Year Awards

Aidan Scott – Delta Chi

Oscar Campos Ortiz – Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.

Marcus Jordan – Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Giade Ensley – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Claire Ogden – Alpha Delta Pi

Student Organization Rising Leader of the Year

Mónnica Gay

Student Organization President of the Year

Preston Krzyzak – College Mentors for Kids

Dr. Richard Nault Scholarship Awards

Rylie Hildebrand – Phi Sigma Sigma

Taha Sharaf – Delta Chi

Outstanding Governing Council Awards

Deisi Kazazi – Alpha Chi Omega

Katie Ervin – Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Sevara Ubaydullaeva- Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.

Sam Belkowitz – Alpha Epsilon Pi

Chapter President of the Year Awards

Josh Akum – Alpha Epsilon Pi

Mackenzie Lee – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Bianca Colón – Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.

Caroline Geist – Zeta Tau Alpha

Harry T. Wilks Fraternity and Sorority Mpact Award

Kappa Kappa Psi

Wilks Institute Servant Leader Award

Annabel Dechant

Wilks Institute Civic Responsibility Award

Mollie Duffy

Wilks Institute Leadership and Service Award

Yaereem Lee

Wilks Institute Socially Responsible Leader Award

Jules Jefferson

Brian Breittholz Fraternity Advisor of the Year Award

Michael Raymond – Lambda Chi Alpha

Grace Daniels Outstanding Sorority Advisor Award

Emily Wolfzorn – Alpha Omicron Pi

Jerry Miller Outstanding Fraternity Faculty/Staff Advisor Award

Dr. Timothy Cameron – Beta Theta Pi

Dr. John Clover Off-Campus Advisor of the Year

Pat Lindsay – Pi Sigma Epsilon

Graduate Advisor of the Year Awards

Reena Murphy – Redhawks Count

Lucy Treviño – Unidos

Dr. Richard Nault On-Campus Advisor of the Year

Jeffrey Wanko – Stage Left

B. Derrell Hart Most Improved Character Awards

Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Epsilon Pi

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Delta Delta Delta

Warren T. Nelson Award for Outstanding Service

Taha Sharaf – Delta Chi

Most Resilient Organization of the Year

Society of Women Engineers

Love & Honor Story Project

Jules Loeffler

Alexandria Coffman

Erin Little

Wes Payne

Aidan McGaughy

Cambria Beane

Grace Payne

Red Brick Rewards Awards:

American Institute of Architecture Students

Best Buddies

Chabad

Dance Theatre

Hillel

League of Geeks

Miami Chemical Society

Cru

Miami University Fashion & Design

Hawks Peer Health Educators

Phi Delta Epsilon

Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Warriors of Tomorrow

Stage Left

Vision Dance Company

Event of the Year Awards

Miami University Fashion & Design – Annual Fashion Show: Oasis

MAP – Electric Root Festival

Student Leader of the Year Awards

Nathan Ashbrook – Engineers Without Borders

Sydney Kent-Strong – EcoReps

Phillip & Martha Greek Man of the Year

John Michael Dancy – Sigma Chi

Phillip & Martha Greek Woman of the Year

Mackenzie Lee – Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Andrew Herman Memorial Chapter Excellence Award

Delta Chi

Chi Omega

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.

Organization of the Year Awards

Best Buddies

College Mentors for Kids

Event Spotlight: Ethereal: MUF&D’s 17th Annual Fashion Show

On April 22 at 7 pm, Miami’s best dressed students will gather in Millett Hall for Ethereal: Miami University Fashion & Design (MUF&D)’s 17th Annual Student-Run Fashion Show. The show will feature 74 models and 14 designers. Students can purchase tickets for $10.00, and doors will open at 5 pm for student organizations and local businesses to advertise their products at the Trunk Show.

This year’s theme, “Ethereal,” was chosen in August to represent MUF&D as “heaven on Earth.” Each year, the MUF&D executive board chooses a theme that becomes the center of what the show is built upon and motivates the entire planning and production process.  In congruence with this theme, the show will be filled with light and airy elements that are “too perfect for this world!”

But this isn’t just any fashion show – MUF&D hosts the largest student-run fashion show in the nation, and “student-led” truly is the spirit of the event. Every piece displayed by the 74 student models on the runway is designed by one of the 14 student designers. Ashley Kramer, MUF&D’s president, encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity to support students who have given it their all and see students authentically learning and growing.

For many MUF&D members, last year’s show, Oasis, was their first show because of COVID-19. Even the upperclassmen executive members are building the show from the ground up, and are aiming to create an environment that is completely different from last year. Without giving away too many surprises, student attendees can look forward to a totally different runway in addition to the new ethereal theme.

Whether you’re a fashion aficionado or simply looking for a fun night out, Ethereal is a perfect opportunity for students to come together and celebrate creativity, artistry, and individuality. Being in small-town Oxford, OH, it truly is inspiring to see the hard work and passion of students brought to life in such a big way.

MUF&D looks forward to seeing you in your semi-formal attire on April 22 at 7 pm for Ethereal!

Student Org Spotlight: Black Student Action Association

The Black Student Action Association, or BSAA, was the first multicultural organization formed on campus, founded in 1967. Dedicated to increasing Black representation and creating a safe space for minorities at a predominantly-white institution, BSAA fosters its own community within Miami while striving to better the conditions of Black students throughout Miami at large. Members like BSAA’s Vice President Kam Little show us what an uplifting impact student organizations like BSAA have on Miami’s campus. 

When Kam walked into her first BSAA general body meeting, she wasn’t yet involved in anything and wasn’t sure what to expect. Right away, she felt like she was truly entering an inclusive environment. “I felt welcomed, no questions asked. Everyone had a very ‘what can we do for you’ attitude,” Kam said when thinking back on that first experience with BSAA. Since then, she has seen the impact of the familiar faces and space to talk about shared experiences BSAA creates. Everybody contributes to the betterment of the organization. Because of BSAA’s commitment and care towards its members, Kam went from taking the first steps of her involvement journey to becoming one of BSAA’s current executive members. 

BSAA hosts many different events on campus to advance their mission of promoting Black voices and identities. An event that Kam is especially proud of is the annual Black Town Hall. This is one of BSAA’s top events. At the Black Town Hall, members of the Black community have a platform to bring awareness to pressing social issues, as well as discuss how the community members can help uplift each other. Additionally, BSAA hosts social events such as the annual Homecoming, faculty and staff mixers, ice cream socials, and other events that foster a place for Miami’s Black community to come together and feel connected. General body meetings, professional development and advocacy events, and participation in university education panels allow for even more discussion of what it means to be a Black student at a PWI and how to pave the way for a more inclusive, accepting, and aware campus.

Multicultural organizations like BSAA are an essential component of Miami’s campus culture. They create spaces for students of diverse backgrounds to celebrate their heritage, shared experiences, and accomplishments, and contribute to ensuring that underrepresented students feel welcome and included on campus. As Miami continues to promote DE&I, it is important to uplift BSAA and similar organizations and support them in their mission to eliminate discrimination and promote Black pride, awareness, and consciousness.

If you are interested in learning more about BSAA, check out their Hub page or Instagram @bsaa_miami!

Winter Mega Fair 2023 Recap

One week ago, Armstrong Student Center was brimming with smiling faces chatting lively with one another. Tables with posters, free water bottles, and even a robot dog lined the halls end to end, and music of all kinds radiated from floor to ceiling.

This was the 2023 Winter Mega Fair.

Winter Mega Fair is an opportunity for students to find their place at Miami, specifically within student organizations. With over 600 student organizations on campus, getting involved at any point in the semester can seem overwhelming. At Mega Fair, organizations are conveniently grouped by categories so students can navigate their particular interests, or just peruse what organizations Miami has to offer. By talking one-on-one with passionate organization members and leaders, students are able to make their college experience uniquely their own.

This year, Winter Mega Fair hosted 125 organizations representing the categories Academics, Business, Career Development, Club Sport, Cultural & Diversity, Engineering, Sustainability, Performance, Greek Life (Fraternity & Sorority), Health & Wellness, Media & Publication, Political/Social Action, Recreation, Religious, Spiritual & Secular, Service & Philanthropy, University Departments, and Special Interest.

With performances from Dance Theatre, New Wave Theatre Company, Miami University Fencing Club, Stage Left, The Guitar Club, and Catholic Campus Ministry, students were able to see their favorite performance organizations in action.

Missed the event? Don’t worry 一 it’s never too late to get involved, and there are plenty of ways to connect with student organizations!

If you don’t know where to start, talk to a SEAL Ambassador. SEAL Ambassadors assist students looking to get involved on campus. If you know you want to get involved but have no idea how to go about it, a SEAL Ambassador will talk to you about your interests, passions, major(s) and minor(s), high school involvements, and more to help you explore all the options Miami has to offer.

If you have some idea of how you might like to get involved, visit The Hub. The Hub is a way to find organizations and events, as well as track involvement. Almost like a virtual Mega Fair, students can search for organizations by category, or look through upcoming events.

Finally, thank you to all of our student organizations who spent their Wednesday evening chatting with prospective new members. It is, after all, our devoted organization members who make Mega Fair possible. We look forward to hosting the 2023 Fall Mega Fair in late August!

Welcome Home 2022

It’s that time of year again! On Friday August 19, 2022 Miami Activities and Programming, MAP,  will be hosting one of their biggest events of the year, Welcome Home! This event will kickoff to the school year welcoming the incoming first-year of students to Miami. Welcome Home is attended by nearly 3,000 students and provides entertaining ways to get acquainted to campus and meet other students.

This year MAP will bring new exciting rides and activities in addition to some of our previously loved favorites! 

  • Armstrong Student Center
    • Roller Rink with NPHC
    • Pottery Painting with MGC
    • 360 Camera with the Miami Student
    • Board Games with League of Geeks
    • Swing Dancing with Swing Syndicate
    • Custom Street Signs 
    • Custom Stickers with the Makerspace
    • Caricatures with CSDI
  • The Outdoor Seal 
    • Hoverball Archery 
    • Watercolor Painting
  • Cook Field 
    • Dodgeball with IFC
    • Zero Gravity Machine 
    • Ninja Warrior Course
    • Kona Ice 
  • Lewis Place 
    • Plant Your Roots with the Crawfords and the Panhellenic Council 

To end the night there will be a huge dance party, and an amazing firework show at the baseball field with the one and only DJ Steve. Our Welcome Home event is such a fun way for all students to come together and connect with each other. We hope that students will use this event as an opportunity to make Miami feel like home! <3