SOAR Awards
The 21st annual Student Organization Achievement and Recognition (SOAR) Awards will be held on April 12, 2022. The SOAR Awards recognize student organizations and advisors for their commitment to excellence and significant contributions to the campus and community.
2022 SOAR Awards
Each year, we recognize incredible student, advisor, and organization accomplishments. We encourage you to apply for any of the 17 campus-wide award categories through the Involvement Network. We also highly encourage you to nominate any outstanding student leaders or advisors from your respective student organization for several of the available awards.
The application for all awards except for Outstanding Senior Leaders (OSL) can be found at the link below. The application for Outstanding Senior Leaders can be found here. The deadline to apply for all awards is January 31, 2022.
You will be asked to submit an application or nomination statement for each award that your organization is applying for. These statements should not exceed 3 pages (double spaced and set in 12-point font) and will need to be uploaded as a pdf. Award criteria can be found on the application.
SOAR Award Descriptions
Pandora Yearbook presents the OSL Award to honor those that have gone above and beyond in their commitment to leadership, academics, campus involvement, and community service. Additional information and the application for Outstanding Senior Leaders can be here.
Description
Given to a student organization or student organization-led initiative whose programs or efforts educate people on social justice issues on campus and/or abroad and have shown evidence of a significant impact on addressing power, privilege, and discrimination to foster inclusiveness and a socially-just society.
Given to an organization that has shown strategic utilization of their marketing methods through strong outreach and digital engagement efforts. This organization will have shown a clear mission in their outreach and innovation in their communication and marketing methods, furthering the student experience and leading to greater engagement with students.
Awarded to the student organization that positively impacted the UGA community through sponsoring an original project or program. Applicants should be able to describe their program/event’s creativity and innovation.
Awarded to two or more registered student organizations that have embraced the spirit of collaboration through co-sponsorship and partnership of an activity or event. Collaboration is about more than shared resources; it is also about shared vision, planning, and purpose of an event meant to reach a greater segment of the University community.
Awarded to the student organization that has taken significant steps in order to improve its overall level of effectiveness from one year to the next. Applicable improvement should have occurred from February 2021 to present.
Awarded to the registered student organization, which through its activities, programs, and projects, has had a significant positive influence on the University of Georgia campus and/or local communities. This award is based on the quality of events hosted, quality of service performed, and participation in other campus events. This organization will have demonstrated their initiative to further advance the collegiate experience of UGA students beyond the classroom.
Awarded to one large (50+ members in the student organization as determined by Involvement Network roster) and one small (less than 50 members in the student organization as determined by Involvement Network roster) student organization hosting/sponsoring a program or event. Applicants should demonstrate exemplary skills in ideation, planning, promotion, and execution of the event. Event must have occurred from February 2021 to January 2022 on UGA’s campus.
Awarded to a student organization that understands no community can reach its fullest potential without celebrating and encouraging respect for diversity. The student organization nominated will have showcased a commitment to improving the UGA campus climate through intentionally designed program/events. This may include programs that are intentionally designed to help students examine and challenge beliefs, showcase an increase in the understanding of different cultures, and/or provide opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges.
Awarded to the student organization that displayed promise and potential through its purpose, structure, and programs during its first year of existence. Only organizations registered as a new student organization since January 2021 will be considered.
Awarded to one large (50+ members in the student organization as determined by Involvement Network roster) and one small (less than 50 members in the student organization as determined by Involvement Network roster) student organization that exemplify outstanding organizational service to the UGA and/or Athens community. These organizations will have given their time and/or talents to positively advance a campus or community issue. If applicable, applicants are encouraged to look beyond their philanthropic efforts to the actual service that was completed.
Awarded to the student organization advisor who has gone above and beyond the basic expectations of an advisor. The nominee must be an active advisor of a registered student organization.
Awarded to a seasoned student leader, having earned more than 60 credit hours, who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and vision. Nominees for this award will have helped their organization and/or community envision the future, identify paths to success, and implement their vision for the betterment of their organization and/or community.
Awarded to a student leader, having earned less than 60 credit hours, who has demonstrated leadership qualities within their organization on campus or in the community. Nominees should display the potential and desire to give back to the university and community through their leadership. Potential is not measured merely by position held, but rather the significant contributions the individual has made on campus or in the community. Award recipients will demonstrate that they have participated in experiences that have helped develop their leadership skills.
Awarded to a student leader who has demonstrated commitment to the development and advancement of others in either a formal or informal capacity through a peer-based role. Nominees for this award will have served as a role model, provided support in the personal and academic goals of their peers, and demonstrated a willingness to share lessons from their personal experience.
Awarded to an individual or entity affiliated with the UGA community, but not necessarily with any one organization, who assists others above and beyond the call of duty. This award highlights the behind-the-scenes contributions that further the mission of the institution. Those eligible include faculty, staff, community members, and students.
2021 Award Winners
- Most Innovative Program: UGA Homecoming Committee for its “Paw Prowl” in-person and virtual traditions hunt.
- Organizational Improvement: Chemistry Graduate Student Organization for reorganizing and revitalizing itself by creating a new executive board and undertaking community service and fundraising events.
- Organizational Collaboration: The Black Affairs Council and the Black Male Leadership Society for co-hosting their Second Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk.
- Outstanding Campus Event (Small): Student Dietetic Association for its online dietetic internship forum that featured 14 internship directors and 50 dietetics students.
- Outstanding Campus Event (Large): Vietnamese Student Association for its 17th annual cultural show, Night in Saigon, which was held both in person and online in January 2021.
- Outstanding New Organization: African Graduate Student Forum for cultivating social, cultural and educational engagements for African graduate students both within the UGA community and the Athens-Clarke County community.
- Commitment to Social Justice: Hispanic Student Association for “Educa-day,” a social media initiative aimed at highlighting political and social justice issues.
- Outstanding Cross-Cultural Program: Asian American Student Association for its efforts to build bridges between organizations and individuals on campus.
- Outstanding Service to the Community – Small (two recipients): Food2Kids for its efforts to feed food insecure families in the Athens area during a time of tremendous need; and The Period Project for its work to eliminate a taboo and provide outreach, education and advocacy for menstrual care.
- Outstanding Service to the Community (Large): Backpack Project for preparing and distributing meals to those experiencing homelessness in the Athens area.
- Pillar of the Community: Matthew McDaniel, a fourth-year accounting major whose involvement and service has culminated in the founding of the Student Government Association Professional Clothing Closet, as well as significant contributions to HEROs at UGA and overall campus safety initiatives.
- Advisor of the Year (two recipients): Destiny Loyd, program coordinator for the UGA Mentor Program Ambassadors; and Andrew Darley, advisor to the Georgia Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
- Candice Sherman Emerging Leader: Shelly Chummar, Miracle at UGA.
- Bulldog Vision: Patrick Femia, HEROs at UGA.