University Recreation and Wellness Hosted Annual End of Year Celebration

University Recreation + Wellness hosted its annual End of Year Celebration this past Thursday, April 16. The celebration recognizes the academic and occupational success of UREC's student employees and club sport officers, acknowledging students for university honors, awards and graduation. 

"What started as 'just a job' became one of the most impactful experiences I've had in college," said E.J. Williams, co-chair of the UREC Student Employee Advisory Board. "UREC taught me that growth doesn't happen when you stay comfortable; it happens when you're willing to take chances, trust others and trust yourself." 

"The biggest thing I'll take from UREC is the sense of community. Even though we all have different roles, all of our shared moments bring us together in a way that makes this feel like more than just a job," said Kailah Rathell, co-chair of the UREC Student Employee Advisory Board. 

The program, hosted at the HPER Building, celebrated the accomplishments of the over 300 students employed with University Recreation + Wellness. Seventy-four students were recognized as "UREC Aces," meaning they have the highest cumulative GPA among employees. Additionally, each UREC program area recognized students who embody excellence in their job responsibilities and serve as a role model and connection to their peers.  
 
The Fricke Family Endowed Scholarship was awarded to an undergraduate student with demonstrated financial need and is an active employee of University Recreation + Wellness. The recipient of this scholarship was Momo Faiq. 

The department's Craig A. Edmonston Outstanding Student Leader award was also recognized at the celebration. This award is named after a former UREC director who served the department for 30 years and is presented to the most outstanding student employees at UREC. This award is conferred upon the individuals who provide the best service, dedication and commitment to students, employees and the university community. The winners of the Craig Edmonston award are Alex Guin, who served most prominently as a student manager for three years, and Gabby Woodie, who served as a photographer for UREC for four years.  

All award recipients are listed below.  

UREC Aces:  

• Abby Kleve  

• Addi Lewis  

• Alex Morrow  

• Allie Cone  

• Amber Petersen  

• Anna Klaire Roach  

• Anthony Green  

• Anya Ratycz  

• Ari Bloshinsky  

• Ashlyn Berck  

• Ava McGuire  

• Avery Johnson  

• Avery Baxter  

• Ben Nicholie  

• Blaine Becker  

• Bree Morris  

• Brooks Castleberry  

• Campbell Lewis  

• Carina Dickie  

• Chinedu Nweke  

• Claire Burton  

• Collier DeClerk  

• Colt Keys  

• Courtney Casas  

• Edward Bomba  

• Ellie Wuebker  

• Emily Payne  

• Emma Russell  

• Emma Grace Beard  

• Esther Beller  

• Farnam Taali Nickbakhsh  

• Gavin Law  

• Georgia Smith  

• Gracelyn Nash  

• Hailee Cochran  

• Isaiah Jackson  

• Jack Minnick  

• Jackie Beres  

• Jamie Huerta  

• Jenny Dugan  

• John Coussoule  

• Joshua Caperton  

• Julia Gustafson  

• Kate Ritter  

• Kelsey Renth  

• Kole Williams  

• Lauren Hocamp  

• Layla Perry  

• Lindsey Sekhon  

• Luke Allport  

• Mads McTigrit  

• Mathile D'Albor  

• Matt Haefner  

• Meghan Ryan  

• Morgan Kelley  

• Nandini Arunachalam  

• Nic Phillis  

• Noah Long  

• Phoebe Risch  

• Pierson Wekkin  

• Rachel Griffith  

• Roman Laney  

• Sarah Carl  

• Savannah Weidler  

• Shannon Hurst  

• Simeon Kyle  

• Sophia Oliveri  

• Stella Suek  

• Sukhmeet Singh  

• Susan Richey  

• Sydney Wells  

• Sydney Martin  

• Wes Royon  

• Wyatt Peters 

 
UREC Sports Official of the Year:  Andrew Crowder 

UREC Supervisor of the Year: Gavin Schmitz 

Club Sport Team of the Year: Women's Lacrosse 

Club Sport Officer of the Year: Connor Hadden, Men's Rugby 

Group Fitness Instructor of the Year: Andrew Sanchez 

Personal Trainer of the Year: Megan Spriggs 

Above & Beyond in Marketing:  Claire Callaway 

UREC Outdoors Staff Pick:  Jackie Beres 

UREC Outdoors Staff Pick: Ezra Haddock 

Wellness Peer Educator of the Year: Maci Edwards 

Peer Wellness Coach of the Year: Evelyn Carroum 

UREC SEAB Member of the Year: Olivia McClelland 

Office Assistant of the Year: Katy Long 

Facility Assistant of the Year: Sara Edwards 

UREC Crew Member of the Year: Hailee Cochran  

UREC Fitness Center Attendant of the Year: Will Gryder 

Lifeguard of the Year: Jalyn Bouise 

Swim Lesson Instructor of the Year: Alexis Morgan 

Service Center Attendant of the Year:  Emma Grace Beard 

Facility Supervisor of the Year:  Garrick Aaron 

Student Manager of the Year: Jalen Cole 

Craig Edmonston Award Recipients: Alex Guin & Gabby Woodie 

About the Division of Student Affairs: The Division of Student Affairs supports the whole student by cultivating transformative experiences and environments that promote student well-being, sense of community, and success. We prioritize student access, well-being, and belonging, post-graduation success, and building a strong organizational culture.