Katie went above and beyond all expectations during December. As the semester comes to a close SAs and residents alike are busy trying to put together projects, papers, and study for final exams, while also taking time to prepare for and enjoy the beginning of the holiday season with friends and family. With all of her programming requirements met for the semester, it would have been an easy and acceptable for Katie to coast her way through and not worry about programming during December. Katie did just the opposite. She planned ‘Tis the Season', a two-night holiday program for her 60+ residents. The activities of this program helped draw residents out of their rooms and into the community’s lounge space. Katie’s other programming efforts during December were rooted in Katie’s natural inclination to give. When other SAs in the building had an idea for a program and solicited help in developing and implementing their idea, Katie jumped at the chance on two separate occasions. As a veteran SA, Katie has many talents and experiences that she is always willing to share with other staff members.

Beyond her programming and community development efforts, Katie’s giving spirit was evident in her dedication to the Winter Training Committee, her assigned SA project. While to many SAs their project is something that they have to do, something that requires their attendance at a few meetings every few weeks, to Katie her work on the Winter Training Committee is a major part of her role as a Student Advisor. Katie has been a driving force on the committee, particularly stepping up in December to put the finishing touches on plans for the January event. Working with another SA, she has researched many different food options for lunch and the banquet dinner. This is a tough task as there are many things to be considered: type of food, vegetarian options, cost, location, and so on. As if she wasn’t busy enough, Katie also volunteered to help create decorations and signs for the day’s events. As one of the advisors to the Winter Training Committee, words cannot express my appreciation of all of the time, effort, and thoughtfulness Katie has given to this project. The entire department will reap the benefits of her hard work when Winter Training comes in January.

Even with so many things on her plate such as senior research projects and preparing for graduate school classes, Katie continued to give her time to others as she worked with other SAs to develop an end of the year retreat for the staff in her building. This retreat, something that is not typically done, was a great way for the staff to relax and unwind after a busy semester, while also strengthening bonds for the rest of the year. The retreat was a great success and all of those who were able to stay had a great time.

It is people like Katie that make the holiday season such a joyous time. Her contagious giving spirit lets us all know that we can make a difference. It is for this reason and many more that I am nominating her for the December SA OTM.

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