The Silver Paw Award is a program sponsored by the Associated Students of the University of ÁùºÏ±¦µä, Reno Center for Student Engagement that acknowledges students who typically do not receive recognition for their work but deserve the campus community's appreciation. The goal of the award program is to recognize students who exhibit civic responsibility, leadership, personal growth and embody the ideals and spirit of an engaged student. Winners are students or groups of students who have made exemplary contributions to their community in civic engagement work and are chosen every month during the academic year. Below are short descriptions of each of the Silver Paw Award recipients from January to April, 2017.
Dennis Green - January 2017
Dennis Green is a criminal justice major with a minor in sociology. Green was nominated because of his volunteerism, community service, philanthropy, activism, engaged scholarship, self-governance and service learning. A few of the activities that he is involved in include being a part of the Center for Cultural Diversity, an ASUN Senator for the College of Liberal Arts, serving as the chair of the Civic Engagement Committee, being a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and the senior captain on the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Cheer Team.
Lindsy Sullivan - February 2017
Lindsy Sullivan is a social work major with a minor in general philosophy. Sullivan was recognized because of her volunteerism, community service, philanthropy and activism. Her activities at the University include volunteering for Pack Provisions, the on-campus food pantry that also offers University students hygiene products and everyday items as well as school supplies, and establishing a partnership with the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Wolf Shop to raise money for Pack Provisions.
Aaron Alexander - March 2017
Aaron Alexander is the recipient of the Outstanding Senior Award at the University. Alexander has participated in multiple volunteer and philanthropic opportunities across campus, including raising money for the ÁùºÏ±¦µä Humane Society, raising awareness for the Rape Abuse Incest National Network and pairing with the sisters of SAI to help fund after school music programs through Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is the president of the American Meteorological Society Reno Student Chapter, vice president of Society of Physics Students, secretary and Founding Father of Alpha Sigma Phi, Joy Prom Director of Blue Key Honor Society, and is a member of Order of Omega, Gamma Sigma Alpha, and SPS Liaison for the AMS Student Conference Planning Committee 2018.
Brynn Williams - April 2017
Brynn Williams is a mechanical engineering major. Williams was nominated for her volunteerism, particularly with her work to co-find a Textbook Resource Fund that provides expensive textbooks to other ÁùºÏ±¦µä engineering students in financial need. She has been actively involved in pushing new initiatives within the College of Engineering and the Theta Tau Professional Co-Ed Engineering Fraternity.
Sierra Gonzales - April 2017
Sierra Gonzales is a mechanical engineering accelerated master's degree student. She is a member of the Theta Tau Professional Co-Ed Engineering Fraternity and has been nominated for her volunteerism and work in co-finding the Textbook Resource Fund. Gonzales has also volunteered in outreach activities for young students to expose them to STEM, raised money for a local elementary school through her work with Theta Tau and has spoken out for equality and opportunity for young women in STEM fields.
