Spring Break
A.S. looks to honor students who are movers and shakers
Mari Sapina-Kerkhove
Daily Staff Writer
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"(The award) is honoring people with leadership skills, people who invest a lot of time in the community but go unrecognized," said Alice Lee, A.S. vice president.
According to Lee, A.S. 55 was established in 1994 to honor the "unsung heroes" on campus. Upon receiving the nominations, the vice president selects the club's 55 members, who are then honored with a framed award for their achievements, she said.
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Selection for the award is based on campus and community involvement rather than academic achievement, said Rachel Greathouse, A.S. controller.
"The difference between this award and many others is that it is not academically based," she said. "Many times, it's someone who may have excelled in student organizations and juggled school and work in that position."
Brian Tison, a former A.S. 55 honoree who graduated from San Jose State University in December 2002, said he received the award for his active involvement in campus life.
Aside from being on the A.S. board of directors for three years, Tison said he was also part of the Academic Senate, member of Beta Gamma Sigma and the management information systems club, and part of various other committees.
Tison, now a financial analyst for Hewlett-Packard Co., said his involvement on campus was good preparation for life after college.
"I learned how to be a leader, how to take initiative and how to balance (responsibilities and social life)," he said.
According to Lee, people have been nominated in the past for various things such as being president of campus organizations, sororities or fraternities, but also for doing charity work and community service.
Lee said while people cannot nominate themselves for the award, others should not hesitate to nominate them "if they feel that (someone) has made an impact in their or in other people's lives."
"It would be nice to see more people nominated," Lee said, referring to the fact that the number of nominations in the past has been less than hoped for.
According to Tison, rewarding people who are involved in the campus community beyond just academics is especially important for a college like SJSU, which has been "branded a commuter school."
"That's why the 55 award is so important," he said. "It gives leaders the opportunity to be recognized."
According to Lee, nominations should be submitted by March 19 to the A.S. government office on the second floor of the University House. Recipients will be notified by April 5, she said.
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