Magis Student Leadership Awards
The Magis Student Leadership Awards is a ceremonial salute to University excellence. We celebrate the achievements of outstanding members of our campus community and take pride in our students who have committed themselves to Loyola University New Orleans. Nominees will be invited for a night of refreshments, entertainment, and awards. Please see below for a complete list of awards and winners from last year. This year's Magis Leadership Awards ceremony will be held on April 24th from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
The 2025 Magis Student Leadership Awards are now open. You can nominate individuals and organizations until March 16th at midnight. Please submit one nomination per organization/individual per award (multiple nominations for the same award will not be reviewed).
Guests who are unable to attend in person may livestream the event from the Loyola YouTube Station. The event recording will be there as well.
Outstanding Student Leader: First Year, Sophomore, and Junior Students- This award is presented to non-graduating Loyola undergraduates for exceptional performance in demonstrating leadership on campus.
2024 Recipients:
- Pharrell Every, First-Year
- Juleea Berthelot, Sophomore
- Daniela Padilla, Junior
Outstanding Student Program, Event, or Initiative - This award is given in recognition of outstanding student leadership in the successful implementation of one time or repeated campus programming that promotes the mission of Loyola University New Orleans. Outstanding programs, events, or initiatives stand out from others for their creativity, focus, impact on the campus community, and proven effectiveness.
2024 Recipient: Mr. AXO Pageant
Student Organization of the Year - This award is presented to a chartered Loyola University New Orleans student organization that has made exceptional contributions within the Loyola community. This organization not only advances the mission of Loyola, but they also positively represent their interests on and off campus. The organization is also a source of Loyola spirit and pride.
2024 Recipient: Black Student Union
Student Organization Officer of the Year - This award is presented to a chartered Loyola University New Orleans student organization officer who has exhibited outstanding leadership for their organization and campus community during their term. The officer advances not only the mission of their student organization, but demonstrates leadership and has a positive impact on their members and campus community.
2024 Recipient: Makayla Williams
Student Employee of the Year - This award is presented to an outstanding student employee who best exemplifies reliability, initiative, teamwork, and contribution to their department. The nominee must have completed at least one semester of employment with their department prior to the award nomination. Please note that applications for this award are through nomination from the nominee's supervisor only. Self-nominations are not accepted.
2024 Recipient: Kateri Shimansky
Fraternity and Sorority Life Chapter Member of the Year - This award is given to one member based on the demonstrated alignment with personal and organization values, the quality of leadership demonstrated in their chapter, contribution to the fraternity and sorority community, involvement in campus activities, academic achievement, and commitment to excellence.
2024 Recipient: Bailee Nguyen of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and James "Jamie" Salinas Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
Fraternity or Sorority of the Year - This award is given to one chapter in each of the university's Fraternity and Sorority Life Councils (College Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, Independent Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council) who has shown commitment and excellence in the categories of chapter operations, recruitment/membership intake, membership development and values alignment, leadership and campus involvement, scholarship, community service and philanthropic efforts, risk management, and alumni and family relations.
Collegiate Panhellenic Council Chapter of the Year
2024 Recipient: Epsilon Phi Chapter of Delta Gamma Fraternity
Independent Greek Council Chapter of the Year
Interfraternity Council Chapter of the Year
2024 Recipient: Iota Phi Chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity
National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapter of the Year
2024 Recipient: Eta Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Mary Ann Reising Flynn Scholarship (First Year or Sophomore Women Only) - This award is presented to a promising first or second year woman who has demonstrated positive impact through her leadership qualities. She personally advances the mission of Loyola University, and is a positive role model to peers through her involvement.
2024 Recipient: Samantha Guillotte
Outstanding Faculty, Staff, or Advisor - This award is presented to an outstanding member faculty or staff, or an advisor who substantially exceeds the expectations of their position by performing at a level above and beyond normal job requirements and expectations. Nominations should only be submitted by students.
This award is given in recognition of a faculty member who has made an outstanding impact on the students at Loyola. This person has shown exceptional dedication to Loyola's community and its mission through their service both on campus or off. This award shows appreciation of that exceptional service to students and the Loyola community.
This award is given in recognition to a non - teaching staff member for the outstanding service to the Loyola community and its students. This person has gone above and beyond their responsibilities in order to help Loyola’s students, programs and or facilities. This award shows appreciation of that exceptional service to students and faculty.
This award recognizes an outstanding advisor for their service, supervision and guidance to the organization or organizations in which they oversee. They have demonstrated exceptional leadership for their organization and helped to continuously guide their students to success. This award displays appreciation for the advisors dedication and service to their organization(s).
2024 Recipients:
- Mr. Kyle Encar
- Mr. Billy O'Connell
- Ms. Carly Hill
Outstanding Contribution to Ministry
The purpose of this award is to recognize exemplary leadership in faith based activities that demonstrate a commitment to the Jesuit values in all types of belief and worship and whose actions positively benefit the individuals they serve through their faith.
St. Francis Xavier, S.J. Award for International and Global Perspective - This award is given in recognition of outstanding student leadership in the promotion of an international and global perspective at Loyola. This student has helped to create a welcoming campus environment and has helped to integrate international students into the Loyola community. As well, they have helped their fellow students understand the world through the eyes of others including the beliefs, values, perspectives, practices, languages, arts, religion, etc. of other cultures.
2024 Recipient: Maria de Fatima Vasquez
Janet Mary Riley Award for the Advancement of Women's Issues - This award is presented to a Loyola student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership on issues central to women on campus and in the larger community. The student promotes the mission of Loyola University New Orleans and has demonstrated commitment to women's issues through programming, research, leading an organization, or through other academic efforts.
2024 Recipient: Electra Pelias
Rev. Matteo Ricci, S.J. Diversity Award- This award is presented to a Loyola student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership on issues central to intercultural understanding. The award recognizes the efforts of a student who has enhanced the campus climate related to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, culture or disability and has promoted, developed, or supported educational opportunities related to diversity for the Loyola community.
2024 Recipient: Stephanie Oblena
Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Award for Social Justice - This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies a commitment to service and the promotion of justice for the marginalized. In the legacy of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, SJ, the student is a role model to others and has dedicated his or her Loyola experience to service.
2024 Recipient: Jai Shy
Outstanding Achievement in Service-Learning Award (Community Partners Use Only)
Dr. Alton F. Doody Spirit of Leadership Award (Junior & Senior Students Only) - This award is presented to one student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership on campus and embodied the values of respect, excellence, diversity, wholeness, and dignity. This student has also helped to promote a more inclusive environment at Loyola.
2024 Recipient: Sydney Randall
Rev. James Carter, S.J. Award for Outstanding Leadership (Senior Students Only) - This award recognizes a graduating senior who best exemplifies the qualities and attributes associated with leadership and learning in the Jesuit tradition and support of Loyola’s mission. The recipient is recognized for exemplary leadership, outstanding service and consistent commitment to the life of the university.
2024 Recipient: Makayla Hawkins