Lewis College student leaders recognized at annual Stryker Awards banquet
Congratulations to Gabriel Conners (SEDP, 3rd year) and Melanie Standish (PSYC, 3rd year) for receiving the Clinton E. Stryker Distinguished Service Award. They were recognized at the 41st annual Stryker Awards banquet on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.
Established in 1976, the Stryker award recognizes students who have made outstanding contributions to student life. The award was named for Clinton E. Stryker, a 1917 graduate from Armour Institute of Technology (the predecessor to Illinois Institute of Technology) with a degree in electrical engineering. He believed in encouraging students to broaden their outlook and develop leadership skills and made several gifts to the university to assist in funding student activities and inspiring leadership development.
Gabriel Conners
Gabriel is a very active student leader across campus. He provides his feedback to university leadership as a member of the President's Student Advisory Council and the Lewis College of Human Sciences Dean's Council. He is a student staff member in the Office of Student Access, Success, and Diversity Initiatives and the former Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and has gone above and beyond in this capacity by also serving as a Diversity Ambassador and a member of the Career Services Student Advisory Council. In addition, he is also a Resident Advisor and a representative of Illinois Tech as one of Epicenter's University Innovation Fellows. Gabriel’s nominator described him as “an exceptionally creative, intelligent, and selfless individual who continually dedicates himself to the dual goals of elevating the voices of the students around him and integrating the Illinois Tech community into the network of the City of Chicago.”
Melanie Standish
Melanie was nominated for the Stryker Award for her service as the President of the Student Union Board. In this role, she has contributed unique ideas to help support her executive board’s goals of programming for the entire campus. When describing why Melanie deserved the award, her nominator said, “She approaches every situation, both positive and challenging, with intentionality, always trying to create a positive experience for everyone while helping better the university through their involvement… I am so excited that she will be at Illinois Tech for one more year to share her passion with even more members of the community.”
In addition to her role on the Student Union Board, Melanie is a member of the Lewis College of Human Sciences Dean’s Council, Psychology Chair’s Council, and the Women’s Track & Field team.
Melanie was also recognized with the Outstanding Student Employee of the Year Award for serving as the Student Organizations Reservationist in the Office of Campus Life. This award honors a student employed in any department or office for dedicated support and outstanding service to the university community. The award was presented to Melanie by her supervisor Alex Carlson, director of campus life.
