Alma Mater and Alma Lux
What are we voting for?
Phoebe Gaston
Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: News
round leaders on campus? Nominate them for the highest honors Wittenberg has to offer: Alma Mater and Alma Lux.
These two highly prestigious awards are given to two Wittenberg juniors - one female and one male - at the annual Honors Convocation in April. The recipients are determined largely by campus-wide voting, and the nomination forms are now available and being accepted for review.
"Receiving a nomination was something I never anticipated but was very excited to receive," said senior history major Brian DeSantis, last year's recipient of the Alma Lux award.
According to the Wittenberg web site, all nominees must possess "depth of character, consistent leadership, service and concern for the college community." The Alma Mater is an award that was established in 1929. The Alma Lux was instituted just four years ago.
Senior Tosha Johnson received the Alma Mater last year. Johnson has been active on campus at Wittenberg as a physics tutor, Resident Advisor, member of the Honor Council, basketball player, Admissions Office worker, and member of Athletes for Christ. She said she felt "privileged" and "honored" to have been nominated and chosen to receive the honor.
"I don't feel like I have to be an idol, but I do try to live my life in a way that always influences those around me in a positive way," said Johnson after receiving the honor.
DeSantis has also always been very active on campus and in the community. He is a member of the fraternity Delta Tau Delta, has served on Student Senate, and spent a summer in Guatemala studying Spanish and building homes.
"I believe the Alma Lux and Alma Mater honors represent people who embrace Wittenberg for all it has to offer," said DeSantis.
Students, faculty, and staff will keep past recipients and these characteristics in mind as they begin the search for this year's nominees. Once the nominations are completed, according to the Wittenberg web site, a special screening committee will select five nominees to be voted on in a campus-wide election.
The last nominations will be taken in early March and the final election will be held in April. The winners will be announced at the Honors Convocation to finish the school year.
The Wittenberg community is hopeful that this year's recipients will possess the characteristics that Johnson said should represent "that whole Wittenberg student."
"Alma Mater represents not only the academic aspect of being a Witt student, but also the other qualities that make Witt students special," said Johnson.
DeSantis believes the honor is an important one and is excited to see who this year's nominees will be.
"I have felt a stronger connection to campus as Alma Lux," said DeSantis. "Wittenberg has given me many amazing opportunities and before I graduate I want to make sure that I pass on my experiences to other people."
These two highly prestigious awards are given to two Wittenberg juniors - one female and one male - at the annual Honors Convocation in April. The recipients are determined largely by campus-wide voting, and the nomination forms are now available and being accepted for review.
"Receiving a nomination was something I never anticipated but was very excited to receive," said senior history major Brian DeSantis, last year's recipient of the Alma Lux award.
According to the Wittenberg web site, all nominees must possess "depth of character, consistent leadership, service and concern for the college community." The Alma Mater is an award that was established in 1929. The Alma Lux was instituted just four years ago.
Senior Tosha Johnson received the Alma Mater last year. Johnson has been active on campus at Wittenberg as a physics tutor, Resident Advisor, member of the Honor Council, basketball player, Admissions Office worker, and member of Athletes for Christ. She said she felt "privileged" and "honored" to have been nominated and chosen to receive the honor.
"I don't feel like I have to be an idol, but I do try to live my life in a way that always influences those around me in a positive way," said Johnson after receiving the honor.
DeSantis has also always been very active on campus and in the community. He is a member of the fraternity Delta Tau Delta, has served on Student Senate, and spent a summer in Guatemala studying Spanish and building homes.
"I believe the Alma Lux and Alma Mater honors represent people who embrace Wittenberg for all it has to offer," said DeSantis.
Students, faculty, and staff will keep past recipients and these characteristics in mind as they begin the search for this year's nominees. Once the nominations are completed, according to the Wittenberg web site, a special screening committee will select five nominees to be voted on in a campus-wide election.
The last nominations will be taken in early March and the final election will be held in April. The winners will be announced at the Honors Convocation to finish the school year.
The Wittenberg community is hopeful that this year's recipients will possess the characteristics that Johnson said should represent "that whole Wittenberg student."
"Alma Mater represents not only the academic aspect of being a Witt student, but also the other qualities that make Witt students special," said Johnson.
DeSantis believes the honor is an important one and is excited to see who this year's nominees will be.
"I have felt a stronger connection to campus as Alma Lux," said DeSantis. "Wittenberg has given me many amazing opportunities and before I graduate I want to make sure that I pass on my experiences to other people."
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