Dr. Mitchell McKinney, dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences, presented Olivia Kurylo, a sophomore majoring in English, with the College's inaugural Student of the Month award at a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
The purpose of this newly created award is to recognize outstanding Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences (BCAS) students who demonstrate exceptional achievement and dedication in their academic studies, in service to others, in campus and/or community leadership, and in commitment to inclusion and diversity, which are the nominating criteria.
Nominated by Julie Cajigas, professor of practice in the School of Communication and the faculty advisor for the student-run newspaper The Buchtelite, Olivia embodies the College’s student spirit of commitment and leadership.
Olivia joined The Buchtelite in Fall 2023 and took on her first ever interview and report at the Robert Greathouse graduation ceremony held in August. Her first article about Greathouse was selected by Student News Organization to receive an award for excellence in writing and to be syndicated nationally on their student-news-based site. Kurylo would go on to win another excellence in writing award for a story on UA’s Hockey Team.
When there was an unexpected vacancy in the editor-in-chief role, Olivia stepped up and offered to take the paper through its Winter Print Edition in January. She transitioned the paper seamlessly and worked to create a better organizational flow for the staff. She not only set a high standard for herself but paved the way for the success of the new editorial team.
“Olivia is truly a one-of-a-kind student leader,” Cajigas said. “She has a natural ability for bringing people together to collaborate successfully, but also an incredible talent for interviewing, reporting, and editing. Above all, she is kind and a pleasure to work with. We hope she’ll consider returning to us as her studies allow in the future.”
The Buchtelite Winter 2024 Magazine Edition is available on stands across campus. With a wide variety of student articles, poems, works of fine art and more, there is something for all readers. Students are also encouraged to look at advertisements for coupons and percentage off deals for anyone who brings a copy of the edition.
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Do you know an outstanding BCAS student who deserves recognition? Members of the BCAS community, including faculty, staff, students, and alums, are invited to nominate a current BCAS student for recognition as the college’s Student of the Month.