The Office of Student Programs and Leadership Development (OSPLD) held its first formal awards ceremony to recognize exceptional student organizations and leadership.

About 100 proud students and teachers filled the decorated banquet room in the Seven Hills Conference Center with a catered lunch, for the 2006 Leadership Recognition Reception on April 27.

Awards for the night included recognition for outstanding student leadership, outstanding advisor and outstanding student organization.

In an attempt to draw a successful crowd and give fitting recognition, organizers made the event more formal than past years.

Last year OSPLD celebrated the awards with an informal BBQ by the Student Center.

“I love the activities and the atmosphere at SFSU,” said Director of OSPLD, Joey Greenwell. “I am excited to recognize students.”

Greenwell said he is impressed with the leadership that SF State has given to the campus, especially since it is considered a commuter school.

It is important to recognize student leaders and advisors with the awards ceremony, Reynolds said. Other students involved in the organization agreed.

“It’s nice to get recognition,” said Orville Thomas, 22, senior broadcast major and president of the College Students in Broadcasting organization.

According to Thomas, students who want to start a club or organization on campus need to become familiar with OSPLD. Students learn how to get their group started and ways to obtain money from the campus in order to fund the organization.

Although the students have different reasons for joining OSPLD, they all have a desire to improve campus life.

“I saw certain parts of the student community (that) were lacking,” said business major and student organization liaison Shaun Noll, 24. “I was trying to fix them, network and meet people.”

Advisors were excited about the change in recognition with the formal event compared to past years.

“It’s been a while, but we’re getting it back this year,” said Student Advisor Rafael Martinez.

The awards were given out to a variety of organizations ranging from the International Education Exchange to The Gamers’ Conclave.

The purpose of the IEEC is to help exchange students meet other people and adjust to San Francisco. The mission of the Gamers’ Conclave is to encourage students to stay on campus and participate in activities.

The dedication the recognized and nominated students and advisors have for the campus was evident in the appreciation given to them at the ceremony.

“It’s hard work making our campus great,” said marketing freshman Matthew Reynolds, 19, who is also a Student Ambassador.