A Monthly Newsletter Publication of NKU Student Affairs
Page 1
For over 50 years, universities across the United States have established the tradition of providing gathering spaces, referred to as “plots,” designed to represent each historically black Greek-lettered organization within the NPHC while giving alumni and current members an area for reflection, celebration, and gathering.
The NPHC utilizes plots to represent their belonging to campuses across the nation and can be traced to the division of Confederate land after the end of the Civil War.
These plots are used to create a positive environment for NPHC to promote sororities and fraternities while educating students about the history of these diverse organizations.
Continued on the next page
Congratulations to newly elected SGA President/Student Regent, Daniel Myers, and SGA Vice President, Jaelynn Gentry. Their administrative term begins on Monday, April 25 with Daniel's role on the Board of Regents beginning on Friday, July 1.
Daniel is from Louisville, KY, and is double majoring in Marketing as well as Sports Business & Event Management. Jaelynn is from Cincinnati, OH, and is majoring in Psychology. More information about the candidates and their platform can be found on the Northerner's website.
The mission of the Myers-Gentry slate is to create a sense of inclusion, knowledge, and culture on our campus and in our communities by "Embracing our Gold." They will do this by making every space look like every face to allow room for students to build community and create multi-dimensional perspectives. They will educate students about SGA and what it can do for students and the powers that students have to make positive change on the campus. They aim to create a sense of culture at NKU that will enhance the student experience by allowing strategic networks, inclusive communities, and cross-cultural relationships to emerge for overall student success.
The NPHC Plots Project recognizes the past, present, and future of historically African American fraternities and sororities at Northern Kentucky University. It is sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Fraternity & Sorority Life, the Dean of Students Office, the Center for Student Engagement, and African American Student Initiatives. The NPHC Plots connect to Success by Design, NKU's strategic plan focusing on student success. NPHC Plots, which are typically statues, plaques, or other standing structures, exist to recognize the past, present, and future of the NPHC community and those who contribute to it. These plots show NPHC and all students of color that they are valued, that they belong, and that the University is invested in their holistic development.
This project was initially proposed during the 2020 NKU Innovation Challenge and was presented by current SGA President, Aliya Cannon. On Friday, March 25, 2022, there was an official groundbreaking ceremony for the NPHC Plots project. To learn more about the project, please visit the NPHC Plots Project website. If you would like to learn how you can support the project, please visit the NKU Impact - NPHC Plots Project website.
The new Teaching Kitchen Space at Norse Commons allows students, faculty, and staff to explore food, culinary, and nutrition literacy in ways that positively impact food choices and experiences. NKU Dining will have their on-campus chefs walk you through how to make different kinds of recipes from microwave dorm treats to dinner meals. They will also show you kitchen tips and tricks to get you more comfortable in the kitchen. You will walk away with a great experience and new cooking skills to remake dishes and impress your friends and family.
On Thursday, March 24, 2022, NKU Dining and Fuel NKU partnered to create an NKU Chopped Competition in NKU Dining's Teaching Kitchen! Using ingredients from the Fuel pantry, 3 teams teamed up with an NKU Dining Chef and competed to create the ultimate dish. Each member of the winning team received a Pepsi Backpack filled with goodies such as Qdoba Water Bottles, Qdoba Keychains, Qdoba Avocado Stress Balls, GET Mobile Koozies, and a Joyful Fidget Pen. Each of the dishes was judged by Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Eddie Howard; Recent Staff Regent, Jim Parker; and Executive Director for the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement, Mark Neikirk.
Congratulations to the wining team, Angie Natividad, Zayne Isom, and Johnny Ponce and their coach Chef Tim Kennedy! In second place was Nick Bliven, Bailey Wood, Tyler Villier, and their coach Bryan Hopping. In third place was JP Ampfer, Grant Warren, and their coach Chef Michel McIntosh. For more information about the Teaching Kitchen and a list of upcoming events, visit the NKU Dining website.
Excelsior Award
Aryan Shrestha
Faculty Senate Award
Samuel Bauer
Elise Bezold
Regents Award
Jackson Coates
University Service Award
Mia Derks
The National Student Employment Association has set aside April 10-16, 2022, to recognize the value of student employees. This year, we gathered nominations from each department within the Division of Student Affairs and awarded prizes to our top 3 student employees. The DOSA Employee of the Year is Estefania Correa, and the two runners up are Emmy Dehner and Melanie Hug. All of our amazing student employees were invited to hang out at a cookout in their honor on April 14, 2022. We know that Student Affairs could not provide the level of quality customer service to our campus community that we do without the help of our many student employees.
The Stephen Meier SGA Award for dedication and longevity was established in 2016. This award is named after Steve Meier, who worked at NKU for over 50 years in a variety of roles, including as the Director of Campus Recreation for 25 years and then as the Associate Dean of Students. Steve served as the advisor to the Student Government Association for 15 years. This award is presented to a member of SGA who has served the organization for a minimum of two years, has helped move the organization forward, and served as a mentor to younger members in the organization. This years winner is Hanson Nguyen, current Secretary of Administration for Student Government Association.
White Division (0-19 members)
1st: Friends of Dorothy
2nd: Alpha Phi Omega
3rd: Gold Key Honor Society
Black Division (20-39 members)
1st: NKU Catholic Newman Center
2nd: Order of Omega
3rd: Sunrise Movement Northern Kentucky
Gold Division (40+ members)
1st: Delta Gamma
2nd: Phi Mu
3rd: Kappa Delta
Individual Awards
Victor Volunteer of the Year: Samantha Mason
Outstanding New Fraternity Member: Isaiah Owsley
Outstanding New Sorority Member: Kati Rosenbaum
FSL Unity: Jacky Romo, Daniel Myers
FSL Inclusiveness: Patrick Rider
FSL Service: Kyle Seifert
FSL Fellowship: Jaelyn Gentry
FSL Scholarship: Jerrel Harper
FSL Leadership: Emily Miller
Fraternity Man of the Year: Dylan Johnson
Sorority Woman of the Year: Alyson Hamilton
NPHC President of the Year: Aliya Cannon
NPC President of the Year: Meghan Greenwell
IFC President of the Year: Addison Reynolds
Rachel Votruba Arete: Marie Moreno-Garza
Ken Ramey Founder's Award: Ray Archer
Outstanding Freshman: Jude Ampher, Bolu Osifalujo
Outstanding Sophomore: Krish Darji, Kayla Rich
Outstanding Junior: Emi Taylor, Luke Eisner
Outstanding Senior: Kyle Seifert, Samantha Mason
Norse Legacy: Jasmyn Browder, Abigail Leonard
A message from Health, Counseling, & Student Wellness (UC 440)
Congratulations on making it through the challenges of the winter semester, and a pandemic! There is light at the end of the tunnel after all - it’s called sunlight.
NKU’s Health, Counseling & Student Wellness would like to remind you that during your time away from campus this summer, you can recharge, reconnect and rest your mind and body for the next great challenge in life. After being isolated and indoors for so long, we encourage you to reap the benefits of the outdoors. Did you know just 15 minutes of sunshine daily can make positive changes in your health?
Our bodies make Vitamin D, a nutrient and hormone, when exposed to sunlight, particularly ultraviolet rays, or UVB rays. Vitamin D helps retain bone density, control infection, decrease inflammation, and improve our mood and our sleep patterns. Studies show individuals with higher vitamin D levels have lower rates of colon, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. (NIH-National Cancer Institute 2013) Unfortunately few foods contain natural vitamin D, therefore consumption foods fortified with vitamin D are vital. Foods such as milk, cereal, orange juice, fatty fish, egg yolks, cheese and mushrooms are good sources of vitamin D. Vitamin D supplements should be taken as directed. They are stored in the body and excessively high levels can be toxic.
While a little time in the sun is good, too much exposure can be bad. It is important to protect yourself from the damaging short and long term impact of sun exposure. After multiple sun exposures or sun burns in your lifetime, UVB rays will cause permanent skin damage. This exposure can lead to wrinkles, discoloration of skin, melanoma or other skin cancers.
Tips to Avoid Excessive Sun Exposure:
Simple actions as these can increase your enjoyment and fun in the sun.
This year, at the Staff Appreciation Week Kick-off Reception event, Chris Tambling, Associate Director for the Student Union, won the Regent's Distinguished Service Award.
The Regents Distinguished Service Award recognizes individual staff employees who have made notable contributions to the growth, image, or efficient operations of the University. All regular and contract staff employees with five or more years of continuous service and satisfactory job performance can be nominated.
The selection committee evaluated all nominations using criteria that reviewed each staff member's service that went above and beyond the call of duty, their initiative and creativity, their contributions to the work environment and how it directly or indirectly supports student success, their personal characteristics (such as enthusiasm, loyalty, good attendance, leadership and cooperation, courtesy, and fairness to other employees), and their efforts toward good public relations for the University and/or community service with a professional organization which directly or favorably reflects upon or benefits the University.
Student Summer Membership
Not taking classes this summer? Purchase a Student Summer Membership for $48 and use the Campus Rec Center all summer. Stop by the Membership Services desk today to purchase your summer membership.
Summer Campus Rec Center Hours
Summer hours for the Campus Rec Center will start on Sunday, May 15, 2022.
Membership Promotion
Buy or renew an annual Campus Rec membership and get a free keychain. The promotion runs from April 11-30, 2022. See the Membership Services desk for any questions or to purchase your membership.
David Stollman
Sara Lowery
Lorin Phillips
End of Newsletter
This newsletter was created by David Berland on behalf of NKU Student Affairs. Please direct questions, comments, or updates to berlandd1@nku.edu.
Northern Kentucky University
832 Lucas Administrative Center
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-6447
Fax: (859) 572-1310
