Every year, Eastern Michigan University recognizes outstanding students and campus organizations with the Student Gold Medallion Awards.
All EMU students in good standing are eligible to be nominated for a Gold Medallion Award, but only a few win each year. Students can nominate themselves or receive a nomination from someone else, such as a professor or other faculty member.
There are several categories of Student Gold Medallion Awards, including Eagle Ambassador, Exemplary Leadership, and Exemplary Mentorship, but one very special category is Rising Star. According to the EMU website, the Rising Star Award honors a student who is "fully engaged on campus and has accepted many opportunities to grow and develop as a person in their search for belonging on campus."
This year, Presidential Scholars AnnaBelle Favre, Caroline (Caz) Buxton and Brandon Brown all received the Rising Star Award. Favre explained the significance of the award and what it means to her.
"I think of it as something for new students to campus who are very involved and are working on making EMU a good place for students and faculty to be," Favre said. "Brandon, who also won the award, calls it 'Rookie of the Year,' which I think is fitting and pretty funny."
An elementary education major, Favre is committed to making EMU a better place. She sings in the EMU Campus Choir, works as a staff reporter for The Eastern Echo, and recently began a new job at the Faculty Development Center.
She has participated in EMU's Flipping the Script Conference, and last semester, she was part of EMU's Crochet and Knitting Club. She is also the secretary and one of the founders of EMU's Bingo Club. Her advice to new students who want to get more involved on campus is to simply try things.
"With The Echo, with Crochet Club, with a lot of things ... I just went for it," Favre said. "Same with choir; I saw a flyer, and I was like, 'I'll just go and see if I like it,' and I ended up liking it. My advice is go to those opening events ... Go to one meeting and see how you feel."
Buxton, a communication, media, and theatre arts comprehensive major, offered similar advice for new students looking to get involved.
"Go to EagleFest and other events ... ask your friends and classmates what clubs they're in, and check out every bulletin board you pass," Buxton said. "Every organization on campus is always looking for more people, so you showing up would absolutely make their day."
Currently, Buxton holds leadership roles in the Disability Revolution Club and Players at EMU. They are also a member of Videographers at EMU and Alpha Psi Omega, and they participate in Student Government, EMU Theatre, and EMU Forensics.
Brown, a computer science major, encouraged students to pursue their passions and interests on campus.
"Do what you want to do," Brown said. "Find an interest, and just do that. I have an interest in helping people, and that's just what I've been doing."
Brown's involvement allows him to pursue that interest. He is heavily involved in Young Life, an organization of college students who serve as mentors to youth in Ypsilanti. For example, part of his work with Young Life is going into Ypsilanti middle schools and helping the teachers there. In addition to working with Young Life, he is a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, and he plays intramural basketball and other sports at EMU.
All three students were surprised and grateful to receive the Rising Star Award.
"I knew I did stuff on campus, but I didn't think it would be enough to receive an award," Brown said. "I would like to thank the person who nominated me — Dr. E."
Buxton had a similar reaction.
"I decided to self-nominate at the last minute, so I thought it would all seem too rushed to be taken seriously," Buxton said. "Plus, I know tons of people who deserved the award just as much, so I knew it would be very competitive. I guess that goes to show that you should always shoot your shot."
Favre, Buxton and Brown all encourage students to nominate themselves for future Gold Medallion Student Awards.
"I'd say, go for it," Favre said. "It doesn't make you look like you are conceited or anything. Absolutely nominate yourself if you think it's worth putting your hat in the ring ... Especially if you've been working really hard, you deserve appreciation for that."
Buxton agreed.
"Remember that the absolute worst that can happen is that you get invited to dress up, eat good food, and then go home," Buxton said. "That's it. There's no downside."
For more information on the Student Gold Medallion Awards, visit EMU's Campus Life website.
