2021 Redbud Award Transcript

Carine Feyten:

Buenos días. Hi there. I'm Carine Feyten, chancellor and president here at Texas Woman's University, and it is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 2021 Redbud Awards virtual ceremony. This ceremony has quite the story passed, and I am sure that you've read about it, about its history. Today, however, I am proud that we use this space to actually recognize leadership from a variety of vantage points. There is a very wise saying that the faculty senate speaker shared with me recently, and I would like to pass it along to you, leader to leader. It goes like this, the pessimist complains about the wind, the optimist thinks it's going to change, but the leader adjusts the sails.

And I think this past year leaders have been adjusting the sails moment to moment. And as you know it has not been easy, but it is at such times that leadership really matters. And so many of you have stepped up, have shown up, to make a positive impact on the lives of others. So without a question, to simply be nominated for one of these awards is an honor. So in advance of the presentations to follow, let me offer my sincere congratulations to the award recipients and to the nominees. I am pleased to welcome each of you and your family members and friends to this 2021 Redbud Awards ceremony in recognition of leadership. Thank you.

Speaker 2:

All award winners will be contacted via email following this ceremony with information about obtaining their physical award. Now, direct your attention to the following video about the history of the Redbud Awards, its meaning and its significance.

Kimberly Johnson:

In the 1930s, a movement began to develop a redbud trail through Denton. The project had already been initiated at TWU as a campus beautification project during the spring semester in 1930 by then president, L.H. Hubbard, for whom Hubbard Hall is named. The citywide project picked up on campus wound around Quakertown Park and through residential areas of the time, across town to the campus of UNT then back toward the TWU campus. At one time, thousands of visitors flocked to Denton each year to visit our campus and view the millions of tiny blossoms. By 1937, 2000 trees had been planted.

The Redbud Festival began in 1939 as a ball. Princesses were nominated from each class with one lucky woman receiving the title of redbud queen. Nominees prepared for the ball during a week- long festival centering around the idea of improving women's poise and appearance. This festival of charm, which included special lectures, forums on posture, proper etiquette, makeup, and fashion was held in an effort to promote self-development.

By the mid 1960s interest in the pageant began to decline and the program was scaled down. By 1986, the student body seemed fed up with what it viewed as an antiquated tradition that really undermined what women's education is about now. That year, a group of eight students protested the Redbud Festival. One protester, Valerie Blankenship, summed up the protest groups and likely a majority of the students' feelings on why the festival should be changed.

Valerie Blankenship:

We would like to see women who are active, scholarly individuals at this university honored, but in a different way. Calling someone a princess and placing a crown on their head is simply for fairytales and not for women in 1986.

Kimberly Johnson:

Starting in the 90s, the redbud program was re-evaluated and the format changed. Instead of recognizing individuals for their poise and appearance on the runway, individuals were recognized for their qualities in leadership, character, and the pursuit to make a difference. The Redbud Award recipients of today excel in academic and community pursuits, embody what it means to be a global citizen, and are known by their actions more than their external appearances. The criteria have changed over the years to make the awards more inclusive and representative of the student population.

Speaker 5:

The Redbud Awards recognize TWU student leaders, student organizations, faculty and staff in the following categories: Outstanding Student Organization of the Year, Emerging Leader of the Year, Dr. Glenda Brock Simmons Community Service Award, Dr. Richard Nicholas Outstanding Student Leader, and Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year.

Kimberly Johnson:

For a few years now, the original redbud evening gown and crown worn by the redbud queen have been highlighted and displayed on the stage for the attendees to see. The redbud trail will always be honored during the annual Redbud Festival, glorifying all the beauties and wonders of the spring. Although the festival has changed over the years, one central theme has endured the test of time, recognition and honor for outstanding achievements of some very remarkable students at Texas Woman's University.

Jennifer Martin:

I'm Jennifer Martin, and it's my pleasure to present the Leman Award at this year's redbud ceremony. A beautiful bronze memorial plaque was presented to Texas Woman's University during the 1930 commencement by Mr. Brooks Leman of Chicago. His gift was made in memory of his wife, Pauline Bishop Lehman, a graduate of TWU who died very young. He established an annual award presented to the graduating senior or master's student who has made the most outstanding artistic contribution during the school year. The recipient receives a plaque featuring a medallion of Mrs. Lehman, and they receive a $2,500 scholarship for graduate education at TWU within three years of receiving the award. Awards have been given to students from all majors across the university, it doesn't have to go to a student who was majoring in one of the arts.

This year's winner is Sarah Turner, a bachelor of science and music therapy major, who is a talented flutist, a strong student, a departmental leader, and she will graduate in May. Sarah is a member of the TWU Wind Symphony, the TWU Flute Choir, and numerous other musical ensembles. During her time at TWU, she has performed at the National Flute Association in Salt Lake City, the College Band Directors National Association Conference in Norman, Oklahoma, and the Texas Music Education Association in San Antonio. She has served as president and a board member for the TWU Student Association of Music Therapy. In addition, she is a member of the Honor Scholars Program, The Athenian Honor Society, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society. She has worked as a student assistant in the biology department, and with all of that going on she has maintained a grade point average of 3.94.

Maybe the most special thing about Sarah, however, is the performances she has given at the Denton State Supported Living Center. There she enriches the lives of the residents, but also TWU is given scholarship money by the center as our students volunteer there. She also volunteers with Born 2 Be, which is a therapeutic equestrian center, and children's medical center, Red Balloon Run. After receiving her bachelor's degree, Sarah plans to begin her master of music therapy degree at TWU in the fall.

Dr. Pam Youngblood summarized what makes Sarah such a wonderful recipient of this award. "Ms. Turner is truly a remarkable young woman and I cannot think of a more deserving candidate for the Pauline Bishop Leman Memorial Award. Her artistic achievement and contribution through music for our department and the university have made an outstanding impact." It's my pleasure to present this award and scholarship to Sarah Turner.

Katlynn Nguyen:

Hello. My name is Katlynn Nguyen, and I am a senior majoring in psychology and minoring in political science. I am one of last year's 2020 recipients of the Emerging Leader of the Year Award. I am honored to be here presenting this year's Emerging Leader of the Year Award to four deserving TWU students. This award is given to a student leader that has demonstrated a significant increase in leadership within the past year. Emerging leader recipients can be considered our campus and community leaders of tomorrow. I would now like you to turn your attention to the slideshow presentation to see all of the amazing pioneers who have been nominated this year for this award.

The first recipient of the Emerging Leader of the Year Award was described by their nominator as always prepared and always willing to do whatever needs to be done. This recipient has taken the lead on researching, organizing, and executing their organization's first ever virtual initiation ceremony. They went above and beyond in their leadership role as the initiation chair by starting to prepare as early as possible to make sure the ceremony was a success. They reached out to other chapters, attended their ceremonies, went through old scripts and programs to make sure they understood what was needed. This recipient was someone the organization could count on to get things done as they volunteered many times to complete projects outside their specified role. Our first recipient of the Emerging Leader of the Year Award goes to Lidia Rubio.

The next recipient is described by one of their nominators as someone who takes on roles with the determination to learn. They are open to new experiences and are aware of their strengths as a leader. This individual has been taken on leadership roles, not only through a campus-based organization but has gone a step further to represent TWU as a student leader in a regionwide organization. As a first-year student, this recipient has modeled the way for her peers to get involved both inside and outside of the classroom. Congratulations to Maya Landgrebe, our next recipient for this year's Emerging Leader of the Year Award.

Our next recipient balances their academics, has an on-campus job, and serves the community through the pioneer service scholars program. They have already dedicated over 60 hours of community service during their first year at TWU. They lead with a servant leader mindset and continue to inspire their peers through their actions. Our next emerging leader of the year award goes to Rae Perry.

Our final award recipient is described by their nominator as someone who is passionate about becoming a better student leader. They are dedicated and actively strive to engage others in a discussion about the importance of community service and how they can get involved. They serve as the vice president of Service Days and Helping Hands, which is an integral role in planning our campus wide service events. They are not afraid to step up when a challenge is presented and is always willing to help a fellow member. Congratulations to our final Emerging Leader of the Year Award recipient, Tessa Butler.

Congratulations to all of our 2021 Emerging Leader of the Year Award recipients and all nominees. I am now going to introduce our next award presenter, Dr. Glenda Brock Simmons.

Dr. Glenda Brock Simmons:

We learn to do by doing. The motto inscribed in the cornerstone of Old Main, the first building constructed on this campus in 1903, is well demonstrated by those who have been nominated for the Community Service Awards. Servant leadership practiced through our classes and our organizations and as individuals committed to good citizenship is a tradition at TWU. It has been said, there are two kinds of willing people. Those who are willing to work, and those who are willing to let them. Today, we celebrate those who are willing to work. Thank you for all the work you do for your university, and for your communities, and for accepting the leadership experiences which give us all great hope for our future. And thank you for making TWU look good. It makes me so very proud when I learn of all the good things you do.

Today, we honor two student organizations. And both have been recognized in the past for their good work in the area of servant leadership. The first organization we recognize today for its excellent servant leadership is the Child Abuse Prevention Society. Numerous entities in our community were given assistance during this year by this organization despite the COVID distress that enveloped our community. The children at the Cumberland foster home were treated at both Easter and Valentine's Day with baskets to celebrate those special occasions. And Christmas gifts were provided to foster children at Adopt an Angel services. A teddy bear drive was conducted for National Adoption Day.

Sanitary supplies were donated for the CPS Kinship Program. African American hair products were provided to the Children's Advocacy Center. A drive for prom dresses and suits benefited foster youth, and Easter baskets were provided for children housed at shelters. Congratulations to the Child Abuse Prevention Society for your many endeavors on behalf of others. We are proud of you.

The second organization that we honor today is the Helping Hands Service Ambassadors. You should know that this organization has received the Community Service Award more often than any other organization at TWU. It definitely lives up to its name. Helping Hands went all out this year to adopt a virtual model of servant leadership, both on and off campus, as well as continuing in-person services as appropriate.

For Make a Difference Day, an annual full-day event, over 126 students and 12 different organizations led by Helping Hands participated in various volunteer projects, including writing encouraging cards for the Children's Advocacy Center of Denton, transcribing documents through the Smithsonian project, and monitoring penguin and seal activity for Zooniverse. Helping Hands gave assistance cleaning gardens at TWU's Adopt-a-Spot, and tending the Shiloh Fields Garden, a garden that produces food for those experiencing difficult times. The students participated in projects focusing on natural disaster relief through the Rubicon Hurricane Relief fundraising effort. They also advanced the education of students on social justice activism by hosting a Ruth Bader Ginsburg vigil in her honor.

Congratulations again to Helping Hands Service Ambassadors.

Now, please turn your attention to the slideshow presentation to see the community-focused leaders who have been nominated for this year's Individual Award. And now for the award. I can truly say that I have never seen a recommendation like the one for this year's recipient of the Community Service Award. As I was reading the recommendation, I decided that rather than concentrating on the actual things which she led her group to do, all of which were amazing, I had to identify the qualities which she exhibits in her leadership of those activities. Take it from me, the secretary of service for the Athenian Honor Society, the student organization for the Honors Scholars Program is an exemplary leader.

She is Corrie Earthman. She has been an innovator this year in shifting services online as well as maintaining the organization's historical service initiative. Let me just use the terms that her nominator has used in describing Corrie and then you will see the true definition of a leader.

So here we go. These are Corrie's qualities. She has initiative, creativity, drive, and reliability.

She is collaborative, facilitative, outreaching, encouraging, supporting, uplifting, and reliable. She demonstrates qualities of leading, working, improving, connecting, and serving. She is a solution finder, a connection builder, and she gives attention to detail. She possesses a giving heart. She makes the best of each situation. She exhibits kindness. She brightens the spirit and she leaves no one behind. She, in every sense of the word, is a true servant leader. Congratulations Corrie for being the true servant leader that you are. We are proud of you.

Taylor Sandoval Mendoza:

Hello. My name is Taylor Sandoval Mendoza, and I am the assistant director for leadership in Greek life here at TWU. The Redbud Awards would certainly not be complete without honoring the guidance and mentorship of our student organization, faculty and staff advisors. I'm excited to be presenting the Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award. I would now like you to turn your attention to the slideshow presentation to see all of our amazing student organization advisors who have been nominated for this year's award. We are so thankful for each of you who volunteer your time, work closely with our student leaders to improve their collegiate experience.

The first recipient of this award goes above and beyond their normal job duties outlined from their department. Their nominator appreciates the fact that when anyone needs help, they always stop and give their full attention to that person, whether it's a student or a staff member. She continuously looks for innovative ways to support our student veterans, like engaging with our local veteran community organizations and planning numerous events for our current students. I would like to share a direct quote from their nominator. "The Student Veterans Association would not exist, nor would it be successful, nor would it be as successful without Amy's help and dedication." Our first winner of the Student Organization Advisor of the Year is Amy O'Keefe, the executive director of our care office. Thank you for all that you do, Amy.

The second recipient actively supports the organization that they advise, dedicating many hours of their time attending all meetings and events, and even promoting the organization throughout their department. This recipient even serves as a regional counselor to help keep the organization connected to the national organization and to help other chapters operate in a similar structure to the TWU's program. They have pushed their student leaders to be the best that they can be and not to settle for the bare minimum. Their nominators stated that they are lucky to have her guidance, and she really exemplifies what a good faculty advisor should be. Congratulations to our second recipient of the Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award, Martha Rew, associate clinical professor in the nutrition and food sciences department.

Our third recipient's nominator said that they are more than an advisor, they are a mentor, a friend, and a supporter to any student they come in contact with. Their support has directly helped students reach new heights in their leadership development by helping them overcome imposter syndrome and believing in themselves. They have provided emotional support and academic encouragement to students for many years here at TWU. Our third recipient of Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year goes to the Residence Hall Associations advisor, Mere Maddox, the assistant director of residence education.

The fourth recipient has been integral in the relaunch of the student organization they advise. They have provided support to student officers as they created a vision, planned their meetings and events, and restructured their constitution. As an advisor, she has provided leadership training opportunities for the student officers and has encouraged creating collaborative opportunities for all who are involved. She is passionate about increasing visibility for our students with disabilities on our

campus. And I would like to congratulate the staff advisor for Pathways to Accessibility, Nadaya Cross, assistant director of disability services for students, who is our fourth recipient of the Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award.

Our final recipient of this award has been integral in helping student organizations they advise grow significantly this past year. With the support from this advisor, their membership numbers doubled. She guided the students as they planned and prepared for events during this pandemic to be mindful of the current needs of our students. She made them think about who could benefit from their membership the most and how to adapt their meetings and events to be more accessible to diverse student populations they may not have reached before. For example, working students or master's level students. Our final recipient for Outstanding Student Organization Advisor of the Year goes to Sheila Hyde, the advisor for the society of human resource management and lecturer in the college of business.

Congratulations to all of our award winners and nominees. We really want to thank you again for being our student organization advisors. We know you do a lot for our organizations. I know it's not always an easy job, but you all play an important role in our students' experiences and I truly appreciate the dedication.

Monica Mendez-Grant:

Good afternoon. My name is Monica Mendez-Grant, and I serve as your vice president for student life here at TWU. I'm just delighted to be with you today, and I'm just as excited to recognize our Dr. Richard Nicholas Outstanding Student Leader Award recipients. Dr. Richard Nicholas served as the vice president for student life here at TWU for 18 years. He brought with him over 30 years of experience as a chief student affairs officer. Although Dr. Nicholas is no longer with us, he made a lasting impact on students and TWU by working tirelessly to increase opportunities for involvement and leadership. And he believed in the benefit of learning both in and outside of the classroom. Dr. Nicholas was a tremendous person, and congratulations to those who are going to receive this award today.

Recipients of this award have been active student leaders for more than a year, who continuously hold themselves and their peers to the highest standards, and who sought out and provided for others to develop leadership skills alongside their own personal development. I would now like to turn your attention to the slideshow presentation to see all of the amazing student leaders who have been nominated for this year's Dr. Richard Nicholas Outstanding Student Leadership Award.

The first recipient of the Dr. Richard Nicholas Outstanding Student Leader Award goes to an individual who has grown tremendously during her time at TWU and continues to impress with her dedication to hard work and communication. In her role as the front desk manager for fitness and recreation, this student excels at creating a professional and fun work environment for both her employees and her co-workers while holding them to the highest standards consistent with TWU's core values. This individual has created many student development opportunities for her peers while maintaining high academic achievement in her graduate courses. The first Dr. Richard Nicholas Outstanding Leadership Award goes to Casey Montgomery. Yay, Casey.

Our second recipient today leads various organizations across campus while also maintaining an on-campus position as a lead student assistant. They are an advocate for fiscal responsibility and in organizational collaboration. They have sought out and provided opportunities for others to learn and develop leadership skills on numerous occasions. Her reach across campus is wide and inclusive, and she often shares about the great joy she finds in serving residents and fellow student officers on a daily basis. She is an academic role model for her peers and she is an exemplary student leader on campus.

She always is willing to greet each person with a smile. The next award recipient is Emily Gentry, the current president of the Residence Hall Association.

Our third recipient today has been an active member of her graduate programs student organization and she's worked to assist the organization in funding their community outreach activities. She frequently volunteers her time to assist on a variety of volunteer projects. She has paved the way for policy changes within her program to help make it more equitable for all and she's helped give voice to her fellow classmates. The vigor that she displays energizes others to unapologetically pursue their goals with everything they have. This student influences our world to be more just and also more caring. Congratulations to our third recipient of the Dr. Richard Nicholas Outstanding Student Leader Award, Juliana Bershell. Congratulations Juliana.

Our fourth recipient has established herself as a resource and a valuable team member on campus. She has demonstrated outstanding leadership through consistent and thorough communication, teamwork, and dedication to the overall goal. She represents the Residence Hall Association, Housing and Dining, and Texas Woman's University proudly, as she has served in a regionwide student leadership position and help bring a virtual conference experience to our campus. Congratulations Kayla Miller, our fourth recipient of the Dr. Richard Nicholas Outstanding Student Leader Award.

Our final recipient today is always ready to help. They have always stepped in to lead no matter what the position is and gets the job done. She is an exceptional student leader, and she has carried the campus with a heart motto with her throughout her leadership experience. She is well-known around campus for being a smiling face and a positive role model. This student is a Terry scholar, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, and the current president of the Student Government Association. One of her nominators stated that she is the definition of an outstanding student leader.

Congratulations Uzochi Onwukwe.

Dr. Stephanie Krauth:

Well, hello. My name is Dr. Stephanie Krauth, and I am currently your associate vice president for student engagement here at Texas Woman's University. We'll now be recognizing our Campus Leaders with a Heart recipients. Nominees for this award always lead with the welfare of others in mind, puts the needs of others first, and it's often the unsung hero whose leadership makes lasting impact on those around them. So please turn your attention to the slideshow presentation to see all of the amazing student leaders who've been nominated for this year's Campus Leader with a Heart Award.

We had an amazing number of Campus Leader with a Heart Award nominees this year and some really tough decisions to make, especially in a year full of COVID-19 and all sorts of other challenges for our student leaders, but we have a few awardees to award tonight. The first student recipient had numerous peers nominate them for this award. They all spoke about how this recipient puts others' needs above their own. They were always the first person checking in on other's wellbeing and helping where they can to make sure that their peers understand their course materials. This individual has been active in various student organizations and balanced working an on-campus job while preparing to apply for nursing school. Our first award recipient of the Campus Leader with a Heart Award goes to Aesha Desai.

The second recipient is described as a servant leader always looking for ways to engage the TWU and Denton community. They've really used their voice in various capacities to advocate for our student body. They've used their social media platform to be vulnerable and open about mental health and what resources are available to students. As our current student region, this recipient has hosted forums and community building events to connect with more students and encourage relationship

building. They've represented TWU at various community meetings and all board of region meetings advocating for the needs of our student body. Congratulations to our second Campus Leader with a Heart winner, Dawna-Diamond Tyson.

The third recipient has a variety of experiences across campus through various civic engagement initiatives that helped guide their decision to become a political science major. This individual balances working two on-campus jobs, finding time to volunteer at a local food pantry, is an advocate to end voter suppression, and even started a new student organization to help Latin students learn more about their community and how to get involved in the political process. Our third recipient of the Campus Leader with a Heart Award is Fiama Villagrana-Ocasio.

The final recipient of the Campus Leader with a Heart Award was described as truly caring about the welfare of others and someone that their peers can always count on. They are a leader who will meet with others one-on-one to make sure that they have everything they need in order to be successful. She even made a point to talk about new students and walk them around campus to make sure they know where they're going. She's made an impact here at TWU and beyond through her dedication to G-Force. Congratulations to our final Campus Leader with a Heart Award recipient, Nicole Silva.

Now please turn your attention to the slideshow presentation to see all of the amazing TWU faculty and staff members who've been nominated for this year's Campus Leader with a Heart Award. The first Faculty and Staff Campus Leader with a Heart Award goes to an individual that has been described as exceedingly generous, kind, and thoughtful. They are diligent and dedicated to the student success and wellbeing and a reliable resource students can turn to. He is a leader who goes above and beyond for his students and has done everything in his power to make this past year's theater experience as safe as possible. Many of his nominators appreciated that, as a professor, he truly cares about students' lives outside of the classroom and is willing to adapt to and support their needs.

Congratulations to Dr. Russell McKinley, assistant professor of theater.

Our second recipient of the Faculty/Staff Campus Leader with a Heart Award has worked with public schools across the state to place our future teachers in safe and secure environments during this pandemic. She displayed servant leadership through her daily actions to ensure the welfare of students and continues to provide support and dedication to the success of students during a time of transition and uncertainty. One of her nominators described her as innovative, inspiring, and an encouraging educator who goes the distance for all her students. Congratulations to the next recipient of the Faculty/Staff Campus Leader with a Heart Award, Dr. Sarah McMahan, associate professor of teacher education.

The final Faculty/Staff Campus Leader with a Heart recipient is dedicated to the success of her students academically, professionally, and personally. She is intentional and enthusiastic about the impact she and her students have in the community. She's passionate about service toward others and truly cares about the wellbeing of the students she works with. Her nominators stated through her daily actions and enthusiasm, she clearly loves what she does. Congratulations to Simone Daniels, associate director of diversity inclusion and outreach, our final Campus Leader with a Heart Award recipient.

Taylor Sandoval Mendoza:

I will now present the Outstanding Student Organization of the Year Awards. These awards are given to student organizations that have demonstrated their commitment to serving the community and have either hosted or been involved in activities or programs that have contributed to the social, academic, or intellectual enrichment of the TWU community. Please turn your attention to the slideshow

presentation to see all of the student organizations who have been nominated for this year's Student Organization of the Year Award.

Our first award for Outstanding Student Organization goes to an organization that helps underprivileged college and high school students and their parents in the community in navigating FASFA, TAFSA, and college and scholarship applications. This organization has also created pathways for student success through their mentoring program and has adapted to continue to connect with individuals virtually through this pandemic. This organization is built to help students succeed and influence the future of higher education. Our first Outstanding Student Organization of the Year Award goes to G-Force. Congratulations G-Force.

The second award for Outstanding Student Organization of the Year is going to an organization that has been a great force this year in terms of the support they have provided to residential students and the on-campus community at large. The organization has intentionally focused its efforts this year on community service, intersectionality, and diverse programming. This organization's dedication to supporting, uplifting, and advocating for the residential population is shown through the work they put in each and every day. Our second Student Organization of the Year Award goes to the Residence Hall Association.

The final recipient of this award goes to an organization that strives to create a community of sisters at TWU founded in unity and love. Members are encouraged to be the light of the world inside and outside of the classroom. They have constantly and consistently held themselves to a higher standard throughout this year to create a unified and relationship-based atmosphere while encouraging collaboration with other campus organizations. This sorority provides a positive safe space for female students. So our final Student Organization of the Year Award goes to Sigma Phi Lambda.

Monica Mendez-Grant:

Nominees for the Distinguished Service Award should be a current member a TWU's faculty or staff, they should possess a record of service that has made a significant impact on the life of TWU students, and recognition across the division of student life or enrollment management for service to students and/or within the division of student life or enrollment management. Our first recipient today, Colby Parsons, teaches a ceramic's course and has been a member of the faculty since 1998. Between receiving his two degrees, Colby worked as a potter for a small production pottery in Cincinnati, Ohio. His current work in clay is sculptural, often making use of found objects and other materials in addition to clay. His current work and research interest explore the transformative potential at the intersection of physical material and digital media.

In 2020, TWU opened the Student Union at Hubbard Hall, and during that week TWU unveiled Colby's latest work. Our newest Oakley housed in Hubbard Hall is simply magnificent. His work has made a difference in the lives of our students and his work makes a difference each and every day. I know from one glance at social media that our new students and our graduating students come to take pictures alongside this breathtaking sculpture. Colby's work definitely represents distinguished service.

Our next recipient, Dr. Patrick Bynane, has served with TWU's drama program at TWU for the last 15 years. Dr. Bynane is one of many faculty at TWU who work to provide an experiential education. Any day you can see Dr. Bynane with our students immerge in his discipline. This past year, when COVID presented additional challenges, Dr. Bynane innovated and provided car park sonnets, a live drive-in performance of Shakespearian sonnets and monologues, a new and playful take on the Bard's classic sonnets and soliloquies. This past year, the winter provided perhaps more challenges to Dr. Bynane and his students when flooding rocked Hubbard Hall and the drama program. Again, Dr. Bynane exemplified to his students, the show must go on. He can be relied on to both listen, but also help guide our drama

program with the student experience in mind. And Dr. Bynane, I have always been impressed with your service to students, and certainly this year was no exception. I'm so grateful for your service to our students.

Our third recipient today for the Distinguished Service Award is someone who deserves recognition for service to enrollment management. Dr. Barbara Lerner serves as the vice provost for undergraduate studies and academic partnerships. She has spent over 25 years of her career with TWU, and over 15 of those years, she has worked within the community to help TWU welcome students, particularly transfer students. Starting in the early 2000s, she began making articulation agreements with local community colleges. More recently, she has led TWU to welcome in new partnerships with high schools, including Little Elm.

She also serves on various boards and she represents TWU on many committees, including the regional 60x30 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Committee, the Transfer Alliance, the Dallas Promise, and my list could go on. Dr. Lerner has previously served as the interim vice president for enrollment management. It's only fitting that Dr. Barbara Lerner be recognized for the inaugural award for Distinguished Service. Thank you, Dr. Lerner, for all that you do.

Speaker 2:

Congratulations to all of our 2021 Redbud Award winners. This time of year, although very, very busy, is so special because we get to celebrate you and all that you have invested in this great university. Thank you to all the members of the Redbud Award evaluations committee for all that you did to make tonight possible. A huge thank you to our CSD graduate assistant, Natalie Powell. Without your help, the entire redbud process this year would not have been possible. I am grateful for all the work you put into this program to make tonight a great success. I would also like to thank our student union office and design services for their technical support from filming our video to editing our video. We appreciate your support and dedication.

Once again, congratulations to all of our nominees. You all should be proud that someone wanted to recognize your efforts because you have clearly made an impact on their life. To our award winners, another huge congratulations for this accomplishment. This now concludes our 2021 Redbud Award ceremony. Thank you.