|
Award ceremony honors club leader |
|
|
|
Monday, 28 April 2008 |
by McLEAN DOBBINS
Intern News Reporter
Appalachian State University's Coordinating Council of Clubs recognized student clubs and organizations Wednesday with an awards ceremony in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of the Plemmons Student Union.
Freshman hospitality and tourism management major Laura M. MacMinn won the award for Best New Member for her work as president of AIESEC, a student-run organization that promotes business and leadership development, international education and communication skills.
AIESEC, which stands for the French name, Association Internationale des Étudiants en Sciences Économiques et Commerciales, was started at Appalachian in spring 2007.
“I guess we're the best club you haven't heard of,” MacMinn said.
She said the organization was established after World War II when
several countries decided to connect students from different nations.
The first exchanges were between France and Germany, she said.
“I would definitely describe it as an exchange program but we also have other goals,” MacMinn said.
“We are about developing leaders and we are about raising awareness of
different cultures, learning to respect other cultures, and
understanding how they live and why they live that way.”
Present in 103 countries and at 1, 100 universities, AIESEC is the
world's largest student organization. Part of the club's purpose is to
form contracts with businesses that are interested in hiring interns
from abroad.
Once contracts are formed, internship applications are put into an online database.
Internships usually range from two months to two years and fall into
four general categories: developmental, managerial, technical, and
educational.
The club also hosts regular cultural presentations given by professors and students who have experienced different cultures.
MacMinn said the club's former President Sarah C. Green, a senior
accounting and international business major, encouraged her to consider
becoming the new president.
“I really liked the idea of cultural awareness and AIESIC seemed like a perfect fit,” MacMinn said.
Although she was hesitant to take on the role at first, MacMinn said she is glad she decided to become involved.
“It really has been the best choice of my life,” MacMinn said. “Being
involved with AIESEC has given me so many opportunities. I've been able
to travel and meet so many people. I've made a lot of great connections
with people not only here in the college of business, but also from
around the world.”
Also recognized was the Teaching Fellows Executive Council, which
received four awards in all, including the Presidential Award and the
Community Service Award.
“The goal of the club is to better prepare us to be teachers and then
also, we do quite a bit of service with our club,” President and senior
middle grades education major Whitney M. Sims said.
Sims said she felt the club had given her the confidence to be an effective teacher in the future.
“It's just made my overall college experience much, much better,” Sims said.
Club Vice
President and senior middle grades education major Ashley N. Farmer
said her involvement within the group has taught her how to resolve
conflicts and work with advisors and teachers, which are lessons that
will be useful in working with colleagues and administration in the
school system.
“It's definitely broadened my horizons in aspects of education. It's
taught me how I as a teacher can really have an influence on my
students…and that being a teacher is more than just standing in front
of your classroom,” Farmer said.
Currently, there are 282 clubs and organizations on campus. This year saw about 20 new clubs started.
Best Advertising & Marketing: WASU 90.5
Most Creative Fundraising: Association of Student Entrepreneurs
Best New Member: Laura M. MacMinn, AIESEC
Member Development Award: Teaching Fellows Executive Council
Most Improved Organization: The Appalachian
Best Faculty Advisor-General: Dr. Scott Hunsinger, Association of Information Technology Professionals
Best Faculty Advisor-UFO: Dr. Pamela Schram, Teaching Fellows Executive Council
Club Council Leadership: Natasha F. Wayne, Women's Center
Presidential Award: Whitney M. Sims, Teaching Fellows Executive Council
Community Service Award: Teaching Fellows Executive Council
Appalachian Image Award: Appalachian Student Ambassadors
 |
News 
Show/Hide comments
