On April 10, in the Washburn A Room, Student Activities and Greek Life honored 20 Washburn University student organizations, five student programs and several students in the annual SOAR Awards.

The SOAR (Student Organization Achievement Recognition) Awards is hosted by Student Activities and Greek Life. It is an annual celebration to honor outstanding student organizations and leaders for their efforts, activities and leadership during the past year.

The awards include Emerging Leader Awards for Freshmen and Transfer Students, Outstanding Program of the Year, Outstanding Student Organization Advisor Award, President’s Outstanding Leader Award, Random Acts of Kindness Community Service Award, Student Organization of the Year and True Blue Bod Spirit Award.

Student Activities and Greek Life put out a call for nominations and  selected a judging committee. The committee was made up of representatives from throughout the Washburn University community. These representatives included faculty, staff and alumni from Washburn. Each award winner was recognized by the committee based on the areas of criteria listed within each award description.

“We recognized them based on general principles listed on our website,” said Jessica Neumann, director of student activities and greek life. “And we also based [the awards] on their applications.”

The 2012 SOAR Awards began with an opening welcome from Neumann. The outstanding programs, student organizations and individuals were honored one by one to recognize what they brought to Washburn University students. Award presenters also briefly introduced the situation of these outstanding programs and organizations when they honored them. Neumann appreciated all coming visitors as an end of the whole banquet.

More than 100 visitors attended SOAR Awards, including award recipients, their friends and organizers.

“I felt excited,” said Rachael Hageman, member of Washburn Sales and Marketing Executives, which was honored with the Student Organization of the Year award.

The visitors enjoyed the food and music in the SOAR Awards.

“It is a great chance to honor what they have done this year and thank individuals supporting these activities,” said Neumann. “It is also a wonderful chance to celebrate together and communicate with each other.”