SAC, other clubs win 10 NACA awards

Baker University’s Student Activities Council, affiliated student organizations, and advisors won 10 awards during the National Association for Campus Activities Central Regional Conference held Oct. 12-15 in Oklahoma City. Baker students competed against students from colleges and universities in eight states: Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

“The Office of Student Life staff met regarding these awards and collectively decided on the best programs among all our student organizations to nominate and not just SAC alone [as in years past],” Director of Student Life Randy Flowers said. “Working collectively and collaboratively as a university has provided the recognition these awards brought.”

SAC and other student organizations received four programming awards and four publication awards. Flowers and Assistant Director of Student Life Josh Doak each received individual awards for their contributions as advisors and champions of character within the Baker University community.

Baker University organizations and individuals received the following awards for their activities, initiatives, and promotions:

• Giving Back Award – Portable Food Pantry
• Outstanding Program Series – Cat Chat
• Outstanding Commitment to Diversity – Gender Inclusive Restrooms
• Best Collaborative Effort – Cat Chat
• Best Nonposter Publication – SpringFest Door Hanger
• Best One-Color Poster – Jordy Searcy Poster
• Best Publicity Campaign – Grocery Bingo
• Best Digital Media – Laser Tag Video
• Outstanding Student Government Advisor of the Year – Josh Doak
• Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award – Randy Flowers

“I feel that this award speaks more about the amazing efforts and growth of the Baker Student Senate members over the past year,” Doak said. “I would not have had the opportunity to win this award if it hadn’t been for the amazing work that the student senate members put in every week. Being the Outstanding Student Government Advisor isn’t an award I won by myself; this is just as much Baker Student Senate’s award as it is mine.”

SAC delivers approximately 75 events a year to Baker University students free of charge either by itself or in conjunction with other student organizations and departments on campus. According to Flowers, awards such as those received from NACA provide student leaders with worthwhile rewards and standards to strive toward and eclipse each academic year. Doak agrees.

“The awards received at the conference set a standard of excellence and achievement,” Doak said. “It allows students to trust in themselves and know they are doing great things. Winning sets the bar higher every year, so students continue to exceed expectations.

“Winning [these advisor awards] expresses the quality of faculty and staff that Baker has to offer to students,” Doak continued. “At Baker, not only do students get personalized attention, but the attention is from top-quality professionals. These awards are the reason why students that graduate from Baker are highly sought after, and these awards exemplify what ‘Baker Builds.’”