SOOIE Announces 'Of the Month' Winners for November 2019

Student Organization Outreach and Involvement Experience (SOOIE) announces Registered Student Organization Member, Advisor, and Event of the Month for the month of November 2019. The winners are as follows:

The Member of the Month for November is Elizabeth Strickland from Arkansas Dance Marathon. Strickland has been a member of this RSO for the past year and now serves as the Fundraising Director. In this position, she organizes events such as Miracle Week, during which $9,000 was raised for Arkansas Children's Hospital. Strickland is a devoted and reliable member of Arkansas Dance Marathon.  She makes sure every detail is in order so that the organization is able to raise money successfully. She is also a member of Associated Student Government Judicial Branch as well as a Vice President of Chapter Development for Delta Delta Delta. SOOIE commends Strickland for these outstanding accomplishments and appreciates her involvement in campus life.

The Advisor of the Month for November is Brooke Bailey, who advises the Razorback Booster Club. Bailey currently serves as the Director of Spirit Squads. She has been advising the Booster Club since she started working on campus and helps students utilize all available resources to make their events the best possible. Bailey is especially diligent about seeking out the judges for the pep rally that get the campus excited to continue this 80-year Razorback tradition. Her students describe her as determined, friendly, selfless and committed to their organization. SOOIE applauds Bailey for her dedication to the advancement of the Razorback Booster Club.

The Event of the Month winner for November is the Diwali Celebration hosted by Friends of India. This event was a way for U of A students to celebrate one of India's biggest festivals, Diwali, also known as the Festival of Light. Around 300 students attended the event. It consisted of booths showcasing different aspects of Indian culture, including henna, Rangoli (which is an art form related to the festival) and writing lessons. There were also performances of different types of cultural dances. This event gave Indian students the ability to celebrate an important festival, as well as share it with other students who would not do so otherwise. SOOIE commends the hard work of Friends of India and the impact their event had on students across campus.

Winning these awards qualifies the individual and the RSO an opportunity to attend the End of the Year Involvement Banquet. This banquet will highlight the amazing things RSOs accomplished throughout the school year. Attendance is limited and winning any of SOOIE's "Of the Month" Awards guarantees entrance. Nominees who were not selected for Member and Advisor "Of the Month" will roll over to the following months for consideration.

In addition, Member of the Month will receive a $10 gift card; Advisor of the Month will receive a framed certificate of recognition; and SOOIE will also reward RSO's who win Event of the Month by providing snacks at their next executive meeting.

SOOIE is an RSO focusing on outreach and involvement. Members of the campus community can nominate a deserving member, adviser or RSO event for one of SOOIE's "Of the Month" awards. Applications are due on the last day of every month. For questions about "Of the Month Awards," please contact Anna Cook, SOOIE Vice President at sooievp@uark.edu. Applications are located under the forms section of the HogSync platform.

This program is sponsored by SOOIE through the Office of Student Activities and is supported by the Student Activities fee. Follow SOOIE on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and HogSync for "Of the Month Award" updates and much more on how you can get involved on campus! SOOIE is a program in the Division of Student Affairs.

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports students in pursuing knowledge, earning a degree, finding meaningful careers, exploring diversity and connecting with the global community. We provide students housing, dining, health care resources, and create innovative programs that educate and inspire. We enhance the U of A experience and help students succeed, one student at a time.