The Student Leadership Award is one of the A. Robert Rainville Leadership Awards given each year at University of Rhode Island.
This year Talent Development Students Keisha Gallagher-Smith and Danielle Leigh Hill Shared this award.
From the Press Release:
Gallagher-Smith’s and Hill’s leadership has had a tremendous effect on many fellow students at URI. Both of them have become examples for others to look to and find that their motivation comes from helping others.
“One of the greatest rewards and what really keeps you going is having an impact on a lot of people. When you stop and think about it, it is overwhelming,” said Hill.
Hill, a senior from Cranston, R.I., who is majoring in communications studies and sociology and minoring in Portuguese, has definitely set an example for others to follow, according to Mavis Nimoh of Pawtucket, R.I., Leadership Award co-presenter and selection committee member.
“She carries herself with assurance and leadership and encourages others to reach her level of leadership,” explained Nimoh.
Hill is a member of Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society and the recipient of several academic scholarships. She is a resident assistant and an active member of Uhuru SaSa, SOAR, the Diversity Task Force, and Solidarity Outreach. She is also a McNair Fellow and was awarded first place in the T.E. McKinney Research Paper Competition.
Gallagher-Smith, a senior nursing student, has helped many as a resident assistant, a URI 101 mentor, and vice president of the Rhode Island Student Nurse’s Association. She is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and the Golden Key National Honor Society, and has received several academic scholarships.
Gallagher-Smith was emotional when receiving the award, and was surprised that she had been recognized with such a big honor.
“To win an honor like this is unbelievable. When you are a student, you don’t know what kind of impact you have made on the campus and other students. Then, when it comes time to leave as a senior, you hear all these things about how you’ve helped others that you didn’t even know about. It is so rewarding,” said Gallagher-Smith.
Read about other 1999 Rainville Winners in the URI Press Release…