Student Organization of the Year

This award is presented to the student organization which, through activities and projects, has had the most significant positive influence on the College and the surrounding community. This award is based on the quality of campus events held, servant leadership endeavors, involvement with campus events, and/or initiative to further advance the education of Warrington students beyond the classroom. Nominee must be a recognized student organization in good standing with the Student Activities and Involvement Office.

Application

In order to apply for this award, you will need to complete the two steps below by 11:59PM on February 5th:

Create a compelling 8-minute audio-recorded PowerPoint presentation adhering to the submission requirements below, that showcases why your organization should be selected as the award winner.
1. If your organization is also applying for any of the following presentation-based awards, you will address these in the same presentation.
Submit the Application Form where you will include the link to your recorded presentation, as well as a PDF of your slide deck.

Submission Requirements for Audio-Recorded PowerPoint

In addition to the requirements listed below, organizations are encouraged to follow best practices with regard to slide design and visual aids to best showcase their impact.

Presentations must include voice-only narration (cameras must be turned off) utilizing
PowerPoint’s Recording Feature. Total presentation time must not exceed 8 minutes and must include the following slides:

Opening slide needs to include the names of each of the presentation-based awards (including this award) that you are applying for, and you should verbally announce these in your audio recording.
Organizational fact slide that highlights program relevant statistics including size, list of events, and their type such as socials, professional, service, and other information.
Informational slides answering the following questions:
- How did your organization’s activities impact both the personal and professional development of your members?
- How did the meetings, activities, and events held by your organization have a positive impact on the greater college community?
- What qualitative or quantitative evidence do you have regarding your organization’s impact?
- How does your organization plan to sustain itself in the future?
- How effectively does the executive board function as a team? Provide evidence where possible.
- How do the activities that you conduct go above and beyond your organization’s mission/vision/values?
Appendix slides at the end of your presentation detailing the following:
- A list of all past activities from January 2022 to December 2022. In the description for each event, please include the following:
  - Date of the event
  - Number of attendees
  - Purpose of each event
  - Description of each event
- Membership numbers and roster with names and email addresses (both spring and fall semesters).
- Please insert link to PDF displaying all appendix information.

Submission Instructions for Audio-Recorded PowerPoint

Once you have finalized your audio-recorded PowerPoint, please follow the instructions below to make it shareable using Microsoft Stream.

With your presentation deck open, click the Recording tab, then select Publish to Stream. If you don’t see a Recording tab, you can add this setting as follows:
- Windows OS: Open PowerPoint > File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Select "Main Tabs" from dropdown list on the right > Scroll down and click the check box next to "Recording" and then click OK
- Mac OS: First, Export Video – File > Export > Select “MOV” in the File Format dropdown list > Make sure check box next to “Use Recorded Timings and Narrations” is clicked > Click Export Button > Open Microsoft Stream through GatorCloud > Select “Upload Video” from Create dropdown list > Click “Browse” and select MOV file containing your presentation
Type a title and a description for the video.
Check the boxes that follow to allow everyone in your organization to see this video (on Mac OS this will appear under the “Permissions” drop down tab) and upload your original PowerPoint file along with this video.
Click the Publish button and then allow a few minutes for this process to occur.
Windows OS users will see a status progress bar at the bottom right of the PowerPoint window, and a message will display once the upload is successful.
Once you have received the successful upload notification, click it to view your video.
The video will then open in a browser for Gator Cloud. Copy the browser link for your video and then when you are ready to submit the Application Form, please insert the link there.
For Mac OS – Click “Share” > Copy the browser link for your video and when you are ready to submit the Application Form, please insert the link there.

Selection Process & Criteria

The winning organization will be chosen by a selection committee of Heavener staff members, based on the following criteria:

Does the audio-recorded PowerPoint adhere to all submission requirements?
Does this organization focus programming on the development of personal and professional skills for their members?
Does this organization and its activities add value to the Heavener School of Business community?
Is there evidence that this organization provides experiences that support its mission and values?
Is there evidence of significant program impact through quantitative or qualitative metrics?
Is there evidence this program will continue to grow, progress and sustain itself in the future?
Is there evidence of a strong organizational leadership, officers or executive members?

By submitting an application, applicants agree to release their academic records and discipline records to the selection committee. This year’s selection committee members are: Jack Causseaux, Danica Mandarano, Sarah Morais, Dr. Jessica Francis, and the BCC President.

Application Form

Previous Award Recipients

2021-22

Global Business Society

2020-21

Association of Latin Professionals for America (ALPFA)

2019-20

Delta Sigma Pi

2018-19

Florida Business Leadership Society

2017-18

Gator Student Investment Fund

2014-15

Entrepreneurship Club

2013-14

American Marketing Association

2012-13

American Marketing Association

The American Marketing Association hosted several professional development events and participated in a number of service projects that raised money for the community. A sample of these include: Altria’s Day of Sharing where they partnered to raise a total of $15,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Alachua County, and Gators March for Babies (raising $100). They partnered with Nielsen to host Marketing Week, brought professional speakers to each meeting, and conducted their Marketing Plan Competition.

2011-12

American Marketing Association

The American Marketing Association hosts many events and participates in many service projects that raise money for the community. A sample of these include: Relay for Life (raising over $450), Gators March for Babies (raising over $150), and canned food drive (gathering 40 cans). The American Marketing Association hosted AMA Networking Mixer Night, which brought professional speakers to each meeting, and they have received positive feedback about initiatives to develop members into successful business men and women.

2010-11

TEDXUF

On February 26th, 2011 the CEI Ambassadors hosted TEDxUF which hosted approximately 400 UF students at an event themed “Challenging the Unknown”. Multiple speakers presented at the event, on topics such as “the future of medicine” and “the new capitalism”, and with take-away messages for students such as “material wealth does not equate to happiness, but rather giving back to mankind does”. Speakers at TED events such as this are limited to 18 minutes to give groundbreaking and engaging talks, and to inspire great ideas and innovation. This event certainly fulfilled TED’s mission of engaging audiences in the pursuit of “ideas worth spreading”.

International Business Society - Global Gathering

Global Gathering was first held in Fall 2010, and brought together students interested in study abroad and current exchange students studying at UF. The event allowed students to gain a truly unique perspective on what it would be like to go abroad from the over 70 students and faculty in attendance. The Spring 2011 Global Gathering brought together student presentations from each of the exchange schools that UF students can attend. Presentations represented schools from such locations as Madrid, Spain, Taipei, Taiwan, and Lima, Peru, among others.

2009-10

International Business Society

The International Business Society (IBS) encourages members to attend meetings and conferences, participate in community service events, come to socials, and give presentations. IBS gives their younger members as many opportunities to enhance their presentation skills and take on leadership roles by offering directorship and assistant director positions. IBS hopes to develop future leaders by giving them opportunities to experience responsibility and leadership early on in their college careers. They are committed “to furthering the education of all students, both from UF and all over the world”.

The Entrepreneurship Club

The Entrepreneurship Club (TEC) hosted multiple brainstorming sessions, where students participate in hands on activities that teach them to think like an entrepreneur. They have also educated their members through the knowledge and wisdom of successful entrepreneurs by hosting a speaker series. TEC sent 40 members to Atlanta, Georgia to watch a CEO pitch his business idea to consumers. The members learned a lot about sales and marketing by watching a successful entrepreneur in one of the toughest markets possible in action. Their attendance levels have hit record levels this year and their membership retention is at an all-time high.

2008-09

Student Finance Group

The BACC offers all business students the opportunity to participate in personal and professional development opportunities through such offerings as Business Bash, Gator plunge, and the BACC Convention. They have also begun a college newsletter called the Warrington Times and a golf tournament that allows students to network with corporate guests and business members of the community.

2007-08

Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ambassadors

The CEI Ambassadors are a group of students that are gathered to promote entrepreneurship to the university and throughout the community. They are comprised of 15 members of whom almost all hold a position and are involved with every activity they do. They have started a summer program for high school students, acted as mentors to high school students to help them work on a business plan, and they are involved with projects that promote sustainability. They have social activities as well; they initiated the Business Cup, which is a field day event that involves all the other business organizations.

2006-07

Student Finance Group

The Student Finance Group offers business students networking opportunities through guest speakers at their meetings and developing relationships with corporate partners like Morgan Stanley. Additionally, the SFG offers professional development opportunities through their Career Fair Prep Extravaganza and the Business Quickie newsletter. The leadership of the SFG also provides its members a way to reach out to the local community through mentoring high school students at Buchholz High and through contributing over $1000 to the March of Dimes