TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Members of The University of Alabama Coordinating Council for Student Organizations (CCSO) recently held their 17th Annual Student Organization Awards Banquet recognizing the outstanding contributions of individuals and student organizations at the University.

CCSO also announced the 2003-2004 CCSO Executive Board as the following individuals: Jonathan Adams of St. Stephens, president; Matthew Bees of Georgiana, vice president of administrative affairs; Jeanna Crocker of Germantown, Tenn., organizations chair; Grace Shelby of Huntsville, leadership chair; and Candice Adkinson of Birmingham (35242), publicity chair. UA student Joshua Burcham of Cherokee was the guest speaker for the evening.

Award recipients were selected through an application process and were distributed by category and overall awards.

The following people were awarded the Most Active Member distinction in their respective categories: Academic Organization, Horus Mohammed of Tuskegee for the National Society of Black Engineers; Coordinating Body, Mary Ila Heard of Decatur for Freshman Forum; Military Organization, Meghan Byford of Millbrook for the Arnold Air Society; Professional Organization, Derrick Helm of Tuscaloosa for the Alabama Society of Mechanical Engineers; Religious Organization, Susan Bishop of Huntsville for the Wesley Foundation; University-Wide Honorary, Tiffany Y’vonne Thompson of South Hill, S.C., for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

The following people were awarded the Outstanding Officer/Leader recognition in their respective categories: Academic Organization, Mary Emily Chastain of Fairhope for the Alabama Student Society for Communication Arts; Coordinating Body, Tasha Smith of Jemison for the C&IS Student Executive Council; Professional Organization, Maleah Young of Sheffield for the Society of Women Engineers; Recreational Organization, Trent Willis of Alabama Yell Crew; Social/Fraternal Organization, Amber Bradford of Montgomery for Delta Sigma Theta; Special Interest Organization, Earlisha Steele of Bessemer for the Afro-American Gospel Choir; University-Wide Honorary, Brian Murphy of Birmingham (35242) for Phi Eta Sigma.

The following people were awarded the Outstanding Adviser distinction in their respective categories: Academic Organization, Brenda Bodie of ASSCA; Coordinating Body, Todd Borst of Alabama Panhellenic Association; Professional Organization, Beth Todd of the ASME and the Society of Women Engineers; Special Interest Organization, Cynthia Moore of the Afro-American Gospel Choir; University-Wide Honorary, Susan Halliday of Omicron Delta Kappa.

The following organizations were given the Most Creative Program award in their respective categories: Academic Organization, “Croquet Bowl to Benefit United Way” by the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors; Coordinating Body, “FlavaFest” by the International Student Association; Military Organization, “POW/MIA Recognition Event” by Arnold Air Society; Professional Organization, “Girl Scout Engineering Day” by the Society of Women Engineers; Religious Organization, “Children of Abraham” by the Wesley Foundation; Social/Fraternal Organization, “Backyard Bash” by Alpha Omicron Pi; Special Interest Organization, “Latin Day” by The Academy; University-Wide Honorary, “Alabama Action” by the Honors Program Student Association.

The following organizations were recognized as the Outstanding Organization in their respective categories: Academic Organization, the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors; Coordinating Body, the Residence Hall Association; Professional Organization, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers; Recreational Organization, Alabama Yell Crew; Religious Organization, the Wesley Foundation; Social/Fraternal Organization, Delta Sigma Theta; University-Wide Honorary, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

This year’s overall Most Creative Program was awarded to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for their “Great Alabama Reading Race.” The Academy was named as the overall Outstanding New Organization for this year. The John L. Blackburn Award for Outstanding Adviser was awarded to Beverly Kellen of Alpha Lambda Delta. The overall Outstanding Organization of 2002-2003 was given to the Alabama Student Society for Communication Arts.

Mark Martin of Huntsville received the Will Byington Award for extraordinary student involvement on campus. Matthew Bees of Georgiana was named the Most Outstanding CCSO Member. The last award for the evening, Outstanding Commitment Award, was given to Doris Tate for her many years of service to CCSO and the University.