Ohio University honors Vanessa Thiel with prestigious leadership award
Lead Summary
By
Ohio University-
Vanessa Thiel of Highland County is among the exceptional student leaders that will be recognized at Ohio University’s annual Leadership Awards Gala, to be held April 18 on Ohio’s Athens Campus.
In its 35th year, the event celebrates the outstanding leadership and community service of students and student organizations across Ohio’s campuses. Thiel will be presented with the Blackburn Spencer Achievement Award.
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Thiel is an urban planning and sustainability major in the College of Arts and Sciences. She hopes to one day work with developing countries to create safe and sustainable urban plans. In the meantime, Thiel is the vice president for Bobcats Recycle, the president of EcoReps and a Margaret Boyd Scholar. She is also a peer mentor for the Office of Multicultural Student Access and Retention.
“While we take pride in each and every Bobcat, Ohio’s leadership awards are reserved for a select few — exceptional students who are making a positive impact on the world around them,” said Jason Pina, vice president for student affairs and interim chief diversity officer. “I’m thrilled to be able to shed light on so many student success stories at our 35th annual Leadership Awards Gala.”
More than a dozen awards and scholarships will be bestowed upon Ohio students and student groups by Ohio’s Division of Student Affairs as well as other planning units throughout the University. Awards recognize students’ commitment to the University’s core values of character, commitment, civility, community and citizenship.
The Blackburn/Spencer Scholarship and Achievement Awards were established by the Black Student Cultural Programming Board in 1979 in honor of Martha Jane Hunley Blackburn, the first African American woman to graduate from Ohio University, and Donald A. Spencer, the first African American to serve as chairman of the Ohio University Board of Trustees. Recipients are selected based on a combination of financial need, academic performance, and outstanding contributions to Ohio University.
In the spirit of this year’s theme, “Leading With Passion,” Ohio’s Division of Student Affairs will partner with Passion Works Studio to honor notable student leaders. Passion Works art will be featured and sold throughout the venue, and Passion Works artists will be in attendance.
“Passion Works embodies connectivity, creativity and care – qualities that we envision for all Bobcats and qualities for which all leaders should strive,” said Jenny Hall-Jones, senior associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, who oversees the event’s planning committee. “We are honored to be able to partner with such an impactful community organization, as we recognize outstanding leadership at Ohio University.”
For more information on the 2018 Leadership Awards Gala, including a complete listing of this year’s awards, visit https://www.ohio.edu/eventservices/specialty-events/leadership-gala/index.cfm.
About Ohio University: Ohio University strives to be the best student-centered, transformative learning community in America, where approximately 40,000 students realize their promise, faculty advance knowledge, staff achieve excellence and alumni become global leaders. Ohio is committed to fostering, embracing and celebrating diversity in all its forms. The Athens campus offers students a residential learning experience in one of the nation’s most picturesque academic settings. Additional campuses and centers serve students across the state, and online programs further advance the University’s commitment to providing educational access and opportunity. Visit www.ohio.edu for more information.
In its 35th year, the event celebrates the outstanding leadership and community service of students and student organizations across Ohio’s campuses. Thiel will be presented with the Blackburn Spencer Achievement Award.
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Thiel is an urban planning and sustainability major in the College of Arts and Sciences. She hopes to one day work with developing countries to create safe and sustainable urban plans. In the meantime, Thiel is the vice president for Bobcats Recycle, the president of EcoReps and a Margaret Boyd Scholar. She is also a peer mentor for the Office of Multicultural Student Access and Retention.
“While we take pride in each and every Bobcat, Ohio’s leadership awards are reserved for a select few — exceptional students who are making a positive impact on the world around them,” said Jason Pina, vice president for student affairs and interim chief diversity officer. “I’m thrilled to be able to shed light on so many student success stories at our 35th annual Leadership Awards Gala.”
More than a dozen awards and scholarships will be bestowed upon Ohio students and student groups by Ohio’s Division of Student Affairs as well as other planning units throughout the University. Awards recognize students’ commitment to the University’s core values of character, commitment, civility, community and citizenship.
The Blackburn/Spencer Scholarship and Achievement Awards were established by the Black Student Cultural Programming Board in 1979 in honor of Martha Jane Hunley Blackburn, the first African American woman to graduate from Ohio University, and Donald A. Spencer, the first African American to serve as chairman of the Ohio University Board of Trustees. Recipients are selected based on a combination of financial need, academic performance, and outstanding contributions to Ohio University.
In the spirit of this year’s theme, “Leading With Passion,” Ohio’s Division of Student Affairs will partner with Passion Works Studio to honor notable student leaders. Passion Works art will be featured and sold throughout the venue, and Passion Works artists will be in attendance.
“Passion Works embodies connectivity, creativity and care – qualities that we envision for all Bobcats and qualities for which all leaders should strive,” said Jenny Hall-Jones, senior associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, who oversees the event’s planning committee. “We are honored to be able to partner with such an impactful community organization, as we recognize outstanding leadership at Ohio University.”
For more information on the 2018 Leadership Awards Gala, including a complete listing of this year’s awards, visit https://www.ohio.edu/eventservices/specialty-events/leadership-gala/index.cfm.
About Ohio University: Ohio University strives to be the best student-centered, transformative learning community in America, where approximately 40,000 students realize their promise, faculty advance knowledge, staff achieve excellence and alumni become global leaders. Ohio is committed to fostering, embracing and celebrating diversity in all its forms. The Athens campus offers students a residential learning experience in one of the nation’s most picturesque academic settings. Additional campuses and centers serve students across the state, and online programs further advance the University’s commitment to providing educational access and opportunity. Visit www.ohio.edu for more information.