Just like at the Oscars, the 31st Annual Leadership Awards Gala saved the most talked-about category for the end — Gov. John Kasich’s selection for the new student trustee.
Sharmaine Wilcox was named as the new student trustee who will serve on the Ohio University Board of Trustees, OU’s governing body.
Student trustees serve two-year terms and are appointed by Kasich.
Wilcox is a sophomore studying international business and accounting. She spent her first year studying at the OU Lancaster regional campus before transferring to Athens this fall. She commutes to campus from her Logan home, but will move to Athens for the 2014-15 academic year, said Ryan Lombardi, vice president for Student Affairs.
“She brings a unique lens … that we might not always get,” Lombardi said. “All indic
ations are that she’ll do an incredible job.”
Lombardi was a member of the eight-person OU committee that selected the four trustee finalists for an interview with Kasich.
“I’m just so thrilled, and only good things are to come of this experience. I hope that this will just further my connection to the university,” Wilcox said. “I also hope to connect the students to the board.”
Wilcox isn’t affiliated with a political party and is involved with the accounting club and AIESEC, a student leadership organization.
In a previous interview with The Post, Wilcox was undecided on whether she supports student trustee voting rights. She also didn’t have much to say about the university’s guaranteed-tuition plan — what OU officials have dubbed the “OHIO Guarantee.”
Wilcox will replace this year’s second-year student trustee, Amanda Roden. Wilcox will work with the board’s other student trustee, Keith Wilbur, to represent student opinions to the board.
“I’m sad to see Amanda go, but I’m excited to see another appointment by the governor,” Wilbur said. “He obviously chose well.”
Student trustees are required to keep office hours to gather student feedback. Their office is located in Baker 301.
“She will make a very fine addition to the Board of Trustees,” said Sandra Anderson, previous board chairwoman.
Before OU President Roderick McDavis announced the new student trustee, he discussed the qualities the person in the position should possess. He or she should be dynamic and motivated, McDavis said before announcing Wilcox’s name.
McDavis met Wilcox for the first time at the gala, but said he was already impressed.
“I think she has a great personality,” McDavis said. “I think she is extremely qualified. I look forward to working with her.”
Other finalists for the position included Jordan Kelley, a sophomore studying integrated language arts; Ben Mathes, a sophomore studying political science; and Joshelyn Smith, a sophomore studying music and communication.
The gala also gave out numerous awards and scholarships to students.
“Thank you for caring enough to make a difference,” Lombardi said to the crowd of about 300 in Baker Ballroom.
McDavis told the award nominees they had already won by all their accomplished work, regardless of whether they won a physical award or not.
“You dared to make a difference. … You said, ‘I will serve,’” McDavis said. “Thank you for your hard work, your motivation, your dedication.”
Zainab Kandeh, a junior studying journalism and a presidential candidate for this year’s Student Senate election, won multiple awards including the Blackburn Spence Achievement Award, a Pepsi Ohio University Leadership Scholarship and the Rudy Award for Outstand Student Leadership.
The Rudy Award was presented to Kandeh by Jenny Hall-Jones, dean of students, who said Kandeh inspires her “to live her life out loud.”
Student Senate President Anna Morton and Vice President Mary Kate Gallagher were both honored as Outstanding Senior Leaders, along with five other seniors.
The awards were distributed by the Division of Student Affairs.
“Tonight is a magnificent evening. It’s why we’re here, this is what we’re all about as a university,” Lombardi said. “It’s a special honor to be able to recognize (students).”
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Editor's Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated in the subhead that Wilcox replaced Ashley Roden, not Amanda Roden.
