LGBT Students and Allies Honored at 2013 Student Life Awards

Six students leaders and the Student Orientation Staff (SOS) were honored last night at the university's annual Student Life Awards ceremony.  The event is held each year to recognize the accomplishments of students, groups, and dedicated staff throughout the year.

The Katy Garrison LGBT Student Leadership Award was presented to Molly Stephens, Scott Thompson, Jyler Donovan, Carrie Williamson, Natalie Topp, and Aaron Weathers for their efforts to create a welcoming climate for LGBT students during their time at U of L.  The award was named for its first recipient, Katy Garrison, and is given to students who have held leadership roles in LGBT student groups or who have worked in the LGBT Center.

The members of the Student Orientation Staff received the Amber Carrier Student LGBT Ally Award for their collective efforts to welcome new LGBT students to the university.  As the first point of contact for new students, the SOSers help first-time students at the university find the resources they need to be successful.  They spent time training to be allies, designed ally t-shirts to wear during Pride Week, and most recently hosted the No H8 Campaign photo shoot on campus.  The namesake for the award, Amber Carrier, was the first honoree of an ally award for her efforts to create a graduate assistant position for the LGBT Center.

The 2012 staff ally award winner, Michelle Clemons, was also honored at the end of the evening with the prestigious Harold Adams Award.  Clemons previously was honored during Pride Week 2012 for her advocacy and support of LGBT students