Best Teaching Assistant/Graduate Assistant: Jeremy Chance
Jeremy Chance, a singing Indiana-native, is a fitness graduate assistant with the Department of Campus Recreation. He enjoys assisting the management of the student fitness team, personal trainers and other employees. After Chance earned two degrees from Purdue University, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by leaving the crossroads of America to come to Texas and enroll at UH in the master’s program for sports and fitness administration, which he will complete in May. Chance aspires to earn a full-time fitness position in collegiate recreation to continue his passion of working with students. “It’s always nice to be appreciated, though it’s not why I’m in the field,” Chance said. “It’s great to know that I’m making an impact on my students, such an impact to earn their nomination for this award.”—BB
Best Cougar Fan: Taylor Rouleau
Home games are the best! Students decked out head to toe in red, whether with body paint or a squirrel costume. Everyone’s rocking that red and white but, according to our Coogs Choose poll, the cape took the cake. Sports Administration Senior Taylor Rouleau, known by some as Cape Guy and this year’s Coogs Choose Best Cougar Fan, has donned the mask and cape since freshman year. “After a couple times of going to Six Flags I picked up different capes and decorated them saying go Coogs,” Rouleau said. “It’s like having an alter ego, and being in the mask lets me get crazy and rowdy for the games!” Rouleau attributes his success in the poll to his dedication. “I think the people chose me because they see my dedication, energy, and spirit I bring to every UH game I attend,” Rouleau said. You go, Justin. #CAPEGUY2020.—GF
Best Professor: Simon Bott
Since 1997, Professor Bott has been enriching students’ academic experience at UH through his science-related courses. He teaches first-year chemistry courses and a senior-level research method class for teachHouston. Bott also serves as the co-director for teachHouston and is the director of Undergraduate Affairs and Advising in Chemistry. Throughout his many involvements, he has grown a passion for UH and its students. “I love the students, who are generally hard-working and don’t have that high level of entitlement that you see at some other schools.” Bott said. “I love the way in which UH has ‘moved the needle’ in so many ways in the last eight years since Dr. Khator took over.” Upon hearing that he had been chosen, he maintained humility and was honored. “I have been fortunate to serve on the committee that works on the teaching awards for the last four years, so I know that there are a lot of amazing teachers on campus,” Bott said. “To be considered with them is a wonderful compliment.”—BB
Best On-Campus Hangout: Student Center
You can spend hours at the Student Center and still have things you can do. The food and beverage options are endless with the convenience store, Chick-fil-A, Freshii, Panda Express, Shasta’s Ice Cream and Starbucks. After you grab your caramel latte from Starbucks, you can turn right and head into the games room for a round of bowling. Not only that, the games room has billiards, ping pong and arcade games. If that isn’t enough to do, then you can head to the bookstore, Cougar Byte and even check out a study room with a group of at least three friends.—BB
Best Sorority: Delta Gamma
Delta Gamma dates back to 1873, when three young women came together during a lonely Christmas break to create a club of women chanting “Delta Gamma is what I Amma” at the Lewis School for Girls in Oxford, Mississippi. They adopted the anchor as their symbol of hope. Today, Delta Gamma has 145 collegiate chapters and more than 220 alumnae groups. They host Milk and Cookies, Anchor Bowl and other philanthropic events that have raised more than $16,000 for charity.
Best Fraternity: Pi Kappa Phi
Pi Kappa Phi’s Beta Nu Chapter was voted Best Fraternity — and not without good reason. Beta Nu believes in the academic success of its brothers as well as the celebration of that success. This chapter of Pi Kappa Phi is strict in its commitment to educating gentlemen. Along with encouraging academic progress, they want to become one of the most philanthropic brotherhoods on campus and in the nation. Through their outreach program, Push America, and various campus-wide events like Frontier Fiesta, these men are committed to the excellence of the University.—MV
Best On-Campus Housing: Calhoun Lofts
The Lofts are definitely ideal when picking a place to live on campus. Enrolled students who have a junior standing or higher or are age 21 or older are eligible to stay in Calhoun Lofts. The rooms have 10- foot ceilings and have an incredibly modern look to them, with exposed concrete ceilings and floors. It’s in an ideal location next door to Bauer and across from Pinks, Jimmy Johns, Café 101, The Nook and Calhoun Rooftop. Some of the amenities provided when you live here include study lounges, a theater room, a fitness center, free laundry facilities, a private courtyard, Wi-Fi, pool tables, a computer lab and two — two! — roof terraces.
Best Student Athlete: Greg Ward Jr.
The football program is phenomenal. So if the program itself is phenomenal, then its quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is nothing short of stellar. We love Ward Jr., so when we found out that he was selected as Best Student Athlete, it made a lot of sense. Last season, he was the 2015 Peach Bowl Offensive MVP and was on the short list of student athletes selected as candidates for the Heisman Trophy.—MV
Best RA: Aya Elsaadi
Aya Elsaadi, a biology junior, performs her responsibilities as a RA so well that her fellow students voted her the Best RA. She lives and works at Bayou Oaks, assisting the Greek life and residential life. Building a friendly community for fellow students has become a passion for her, Elsaadi said. Along with other RAs, she passionately forms a community for students staying on-campus. RAs have a big job — they provide educational programs and activity programs every week to make each student’s campus life worthwhile and fun. Elsaadi says that being an RA is not just a duty; it has helped her develop and grow in an enjoyable way.—MDV
Best UH Staff Member (non-faculty): Jackie Stelmaszczyk 
Jackie Stelmaszczyk, a Residence Life Coordinator for Bayou Oaks and an advisor for Residential Halls Association, was voted the Best UH Staff Member (non-faculty). Her responsibilities for these positions include, but are not limited to, supervising her Resident Advisors, helping plan events, building relationships with residents and co-workers and supervising the many activities that RHA does. Stelmaszczyk said, “I love my job and am so glad to be a part of UH and SHRL!” When asked about what leadership qualities make a great employee at UH, she spoke about giving guidance to students. She said staff needs to make connections to students and have the real conversations. What Stelmaszczyk loves the most about UH is the diversity. She said, “Everyone is so different, comes from a different background and is looking for a different experience.”—DS
Best Academic Adviser: Colleen Davies
As students, we know the struggle for finding our true calling, our major and even our next class. As academic adviser for the Bauer College of Business, Colleen Davies skillfully guides students through their university career, and helps them obtain an actual career when they finish. Davies said her favorite part about working with students is cheering them on and seeing them succeed.—DS
Recent Comments