2013-2014 SOLAR Award Winners

Outstanding Academic Program

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for their Study Nights
The Outstanding Academic Program of the Year is a meeting, event, or program designed to enhance the academic experience outside of the classroom.

Outstanding Collaborative Program

PASA for the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Drive!
The Outstanding Collaborative Program of the Year is an event where two or more clubs or organizations join together to design, develop, and implement an academic, social, community service, or cultural program.
Here is a little bit about their event from their nomination: From the aftermath of the typhoon that affected the Pilipino people, we felt it was important to contribute what we could to the families and children who lost everything. For three days we collected donations from the CSUEB students, staff, faculty, and many other organizations on campus. The donations were given to a local organization called Soulciety who made sure all of the things were donated were sent directly to the Philippines. Working together with Alpha Kappa Omega, Alpha Kappa Omicron, and Alpha Phi Omega, we raised about $1,062 and additional tangible donations.

Outstanding Community Service Program

Theta Lambda Psi Latina Sorority for The Bra Drive
The Outstanding Community Service Program of the Year is an event or program whereby the club/organization provides unpaid/volunteer service to the CSUEB community and/or to the surrounding community.

Here is a little bit about their event from their nomination: Over two weeks, we were able to collect 147 bras that were donated to rescued women that had been victims of sex trafficking. The Bra Drive was a unique way to not only bring awareness to an issue but also collect needed items for women. This was the first time the bra drive happened at CSUEB and was very successful with a great response from faculty, staff, and students.

Outstanding Cultural Program

Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for Cinco de Mayo Celebration V
The Outstanding Cultural Program of the Year is an event or program that highlight and/or celebrates the concepts of diversity, cultural arts, and/or ethnic heritage.
Here is a little bit about their event from their nomination: The focus of the Cinco de Mayo Celebration is to both educate the students at CSUEB with workshops that communicate the significance of the cultural festivities and how it came about as an event that is celebrated around the nation. We collaborate with a variety of departments and organizations which allows us to feed the first 300 CSUEB students as well as showcase organizations through tabling. Cultural music is played and every year a live Mexican band performs along with performances from Greek organizations.

Indian Student Association for Rangbarse, “Festival of Colors”
Here is a little bit about their event: The main motto of our association is to help out students joining the college as well as keeping up with our tradition and cultures. We try to give a home away from home. And Festival of Colors did just that! Over 150 students participated in the event and Agora Lawn was covered in colors while traditional music played and traditional Indian cuisine was served.

Outstanding Social Program

Greek Council for Greek Week
The Outstanding Social Program of the Year is an event or program primarily focused on the social aspect of the college experience and/or bringing the CSUEB community together to socialize.

Here is a little bit about their event: Greek Week endured a lot of changes this year. This year we focused on uniting the Greek community more since this year was the first time that all of the active Greek colonies and chapters on campus sat on Greek Council. During Greek Week, the fraternities and sororities were placed into teams so that they could learn to work with one another and learn a little more about their partner organization. Bonds and new friendships were created during this Greek Week experience!

Outstanding Student Leadership

Brittany Clemmons from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Fang Fang from Chinese Student Association
Tania Aquino for Pioneers for St. Jude and Theta Lambda Psi Latina Sorority
YangHui Su from International Student Club
Kevin Anton from Japanese Cultural Club
The Outstanding Student Leadership award will honor the top 5 students who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills and abilities in one or more leadership positions within the CSUEB community.

Outstanding Service to the Community

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
TThe Outstanding Service to the Community Award will honor a student organization that has demonstrated exemplary service to the local community.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. has demonstrated outstanding service to the community in a variety of ways including participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Best of the Bay Youth Step Show, the Princess Project, Native Plant Nursery, Super Saturday, March of Dimes- March for Babies, and Circle of Care- East Bay Agency For Children! Thank you for your time and dedication to the Hayward and Bay Area community!

Global Medical and Dental Brigades
Global Brigades travel to countries in Central America and Africa to provide medical and dental care to people in underserved communities. A group of 40 traveled down to Honduras and provided medical and dental treatment to over 900 patients. Each student raised $1,700 to attend the trip as well as spent time this school year fundraising thousands of dollars worth of donations towards medications, vitamins, a dental unit, dental supplies, and hygiene packs. Thank you for your time and dedication to serving our global community!

Outstanding Commitment to Alcohol Education and Sexual Assault Awareness

This final programming award is also not listed in your program as it is award that we have not done before and is also a surprise for the organization. This year, we had an outstanding student organization that provided excellence in programming in all of the categories: academic, cultural, collaborative, social, and community service. It is with great pleasure to award the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. with the 2013-2014 Overall Outstanding Campus Programs Award! Congratulations!
To highlight just a few of their many, many programs this year, Alpha Kappa Alpha has done a Freshman Mixer, their Annual Mix of Pearls Fashion Show for breast cancer awareness, Lounge Night which focused on Kwanzaa, Battle of the Sexes Black History Month Edition, Our Health is Our Wealth with Peer Advocates for Wellness, volunteered at the Alameda County Food Bank, MLK Day of Service Project, Meet the Greeks, and a financial literacy event. Alpha Kappa Alpha was also awarded the Overall Global Leadership through Timeless Service Award by their national organization for overall best programming amongst the far western region for undergraduates. Thank you for your leadership not only on our campus but in the community! Keep up the great work!

Outstanding Staff/Faculty Advisor

Ronn Patton for International Student Club
Rachelle Jackson for Oakland Alliance - Social Work Graduate Association
Jennifer Luna for Chicanos/Latinos in Health Education
Melany Spielman for Chinese Student Association
Deborah Hansana for Pilipino American Students Assocaition
The Outstanding Staff/Faculty Advisor award honors club/organizations staff/faculty advisors who have demonstrated outstanding support and personal commitment to a student organization.

Pioneer Pride Award

Yao Yao from the Chinese Student Association
This award honors students and student organizations that have demonstrated outstanding Pioneer Pride in the campus community.