SOAR AWARD Description & Nominations
Four SOAR Awards will be given out every month to one student, one student organization or campus program, one student organized program or event, and one student organization or campus program advisor. The scoring will focus on impact, development, collaboration, diversity, and leadership. Nominations will be reviewed by the members of the Organization Council.
Winners will be notified via E-mail. Winners will recieve a certificate of achievement and be featured on our SGA website.
The pages can made by following the links below.
Student Nomination
Advisor Nomination
Organization Nomination
Program/Event Nomination
Spring 2013 Calendar for nomination deadlines and winner notification:
(Thursday) April SOAR nominations due 11:59 PM
May 10th (Friday) April SOAR winner notification
If you have any questions or concerns please email elonsoar@gmail.com
STUDENT LEADER: KRISTEN GRATER
Kristen is the President of the Neuroscience Club here at Elon University. Through her hard work and dedication, she has put together events on and off campus to connect Elon to not only the surrounding community of Burlington, but also to other schools and professional outlets, including Johns Hopkins Medical University. Along with her other club members, Kristen put together an all day event and lecture with Dr. Adam Kaplin of Johns Hopkins to raise funds and awareness about Neuroscience research on Multiple Sclerosis. She is also planning an event for next month for students to travel to the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington to teach the elementary school children about their bodies through basic anatomy and physiology.
ORGANIZATION: SIGMA PHI EPSILON
The on campus Sigma Phi Epsilon house was given the recognition of becoming a Residential Learning Community, and with this distinction, they endeavor to further their education by utilizing the resources and organizations that our campus has to offer. Their Vice President of RLC, who also acts as the house captain, is in charge of a board of members who continue to reach out to other organizations to plan events that are offered to all brothers. In the past few semesters, the SigEp house has welcomed the Ballroom Dancing Club, the Karate Club, and Elon Eat Right, along with inviting a multitude of guest speakers from Professor Pugh offering a philosophical discussion to a student who recently returned from a Peace Corp trip.
Sigma Phi Epsilon is recognized this month for their academic interest and efforts in collaboration, diversity, and leadership.
- written by nominator, minor edits from website admin
PROGRAM/EVENT: ELONTHON

Elonthon consistently has a huge impact on Elon's campus. It is Elon's largest student run event, this year including nearly 1500 students as participants and attendants of the event. It is one of the largest providers of substance free entertainment and service on this campus, benefitting a large portion of Elon students. More than 30 student organizations formed teams to participate in the event, allowing service and bonding within other campus organization. Elonthon truly is an integration of so many campus organizations for one cause, all bringing their members, skills, and passions to help for one event. This year's participation increased by over 30%. The event fundraising for Duke Children's Hospital also more than doubled, with the event raising 212,000 dollars for the hospital.
-written by nominator, minor edits from website admin
ADVISOR: DEAN JANA LYNN PATTERSON

STUDENT LEADER: LAUREN BRADY

"Lauren needs to be recognized for not only one action or role, but for everything she does for this campus, her friends, and her family every day. Lauren is one of the hardest working students I know here at Elon, working three different jobs every day of the week, holding multiple leadership positions, constantly giving her time to serving others, all while maintaining her grades. She is a member of Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, Co-Coordinator of Linking Generations, and Communications Coordinator/Incoming Director of SafeRides. With each organization, she puts in hours of service and hard work just because she loves what she does. In addition to all of this, she is part of the group that is starting the first ever Relay for Life on Elon's Campus. She puts her life into everything Elon, and deserves the recognition of the SOAR Award."
-WRITTEN BY NOMINATOR
ORGANIZATION: PHI MU

"Our members are more dedicated than ever to carrying out every aspect our motto of love, honor, and truth. Phi Mu continues to grow and improve. One of the biggest reflections of this growth has been the outstanding commitment it has had to Elonthon Dance Marathon. Currently, Phi Mu is the number one fundraising team of the event"
-WRITTEN BY NOMINATOR
ADVISOR: JANICE RATLIFF

"This advisor has truly impacted campus life. Not only through her work, but through her discussions with different students. She has been very supportive in lifting the morale of students in the organization, Black Cultural Society.
Mrs. Ratliff has encouraged collaboration and discussion amongst other students and student organizations. She motivates us to do our best. There is no level of success. No matter the size."
-WRITTEN BY NOMINATOR
STUDENT LEADER: EMILY TOMICH

"After studying abroad with Semester at Seal, Emily became a global ambassador for Semester at Sea, a campus representative for Serengetee t shirts- a social t shirt business started by Semester at Sea alumni that gives a portion of the profits to charities around the world- and was nominated to be a representative for Semester at Sea at the Clinton Global Initiative Conference. The CGIC Conference is a meeting where students, youth organizations, topic experts, world leaders and celebrities come together to discuss and develop innovative solutions to pressing global challenges. Emily will be presenting an action plan to create a social network connecting human resources to non-profits in need of qualified volunteers. Overall, Emily is a leader and advocate for global change and service opportunities on Elon’s campus."
-written by nominator
ORGANIZATION: SIGMA KAPPA SORORITY

Sigma Kappa has consistently been recognized with having the highest GPA of Greek Organizations on campus and at the Greek awards they have consistantly been recognized for strong leadership, involvement on campus, and success inside and outside of the classroom. Sigma Kappa is a good role model for other organizations on campus. Nationally, the Kappa Zeta chapter of Sigma Kappa (the Elon University chapter) has been recognized as having 3 Stars of Excellence (the highest national title) for 11 years in a row (the longest running title in all of nationals). They achieved this recognition by upholding standards in attendance at other organization's (both Greek and non-Greek) activities, high academic standards, and exceptional leadership. Sigma Kappa sisters are also extremely involved on campus. Sigma Kappa is being recognized this month for its wonderful work at and throughout Elon as well as within the surrounding community.
-written by nominator, with edits
PROGRAM: SONDER: THE SENIOR THESIS DANCE CONCERT
"A show like this has never been attempted in Elon's performing arts department. The concept, choreography, technical and theatrical design, and performance came entirely from the thirteen senior dance majors and it's been a fully collaborative process since the beginning. This is the first time a group of students has had the opportunity to collaborate on the production of an original dance show from start to finish." Sonder won this month's SOAR award for being an outstanding opportunity for students and for being an inspiration for the Elon community.
-written by nominator, with edits
ADVISOR: KATIE HIGHT

"Katie is responsible for Spring Orientation. The feedback we received regarding the smooth transition for transfers and spring-admits was excellent and constantly thanked the work of New Student Orientation. Katie also facilitated a Spring Orientation which was the day before Winter Term. She assisted with the Gap Semester Students as she facilitated their Elon 101 and participated in their journey across North America. Her work with the Gap Semester warranted an invitation to American College Personnel Association (ACPA) to present on the topic. She has allowed for New Student Programs to take on many roles it hadn't before." Ms. Hight's hard work for Elon students and the University identified her as a remarkable advisor. For her ability to inspire students and take Spring Orientation to the next level, Ms. Hight is awarded the Febrary SOAR Award.
-written by nominator, with edits