University of Mary Washington Vice President for Student Affairs Juliette Landphair summed up the spirit of this year’s Eagle Awards ceremony with a quote from the epic space saga Star Wars.
“Good intentions aren’t enough,” Landphair said, quoting Princess Leia during the April 17 event. “They’re not meaningless, but that’s where we have to start. Not where we end.”
The annual Eagle Awards honors stellar students, staff, programs and organizations for their commitment to community service, citizenship, philanthropy, academic excellence and more. Held in the Cedric Rucker University Center’s Chandler Ballroom just weeks before hundreds of seniors cross the Ball Circle stage for Commencement, this year’s ceremony recognized nearly two dozen winners culled from more than 140 nominations. It was presented by Student Activities and Engagement, the Center for Community Engagement and Campus Recreation.
With nearly 2,500 individuals attending at least one on-campus event this year, UMW is perhaps the most energetic she’s seen it, said Landphair, who recalled happening upon a crowd cheering on Lightsaber Duels in the Amphitheater. The group, which creates community through a shared love of Star Wars, is one of more than 150 Mary Washington student organizations.
“From community service to planning events to bettering our campus; the amount of involvement we have from students speaks to the amazing Eagles that we have,” said Kai Otero, a senior known for her front-facing role as host of the popular Mary Wash Mic Talks. She kept the evening event rolling through back-and-forth banter with co-host Martina Nicholson, winner of this year’s coveted Grace Mann Launch Award, reserved for graduating seniors committed to improving lives by affecting change. Read more.