Super Senior Receives Robert E. Lucas Leadership Award
A leader of student government, residence life and nearly two-dozen organizations both on and off-campus, Ariana Riccardi "has literally done it all during her time at Wilmington College."
PICTURED: President Trevor Bates presents Ariana Riccardi with the Robert E. Lucas Leadership Award at Monday's Student Honors Convocation.
Those words came from President Trevor M. Bates as he announced Riccardi as the 2021 recipient of the Robert E. Lucas Leadership Award — the College's top citation for student leadership — at Monday night's 40th annual Student Honors Convocation.
"We are privileged to honor a student who is an excellent example of what it means to put our Quaker core values into action through a sustained commitment to serving others," he said, noting the Lucas Award recipient "made our lives better" through her engagement both on campus and in the community. "Ariana was one of the first people I met from the community this fall and I was immediately impressed with her openness to share her passion and deep love for Wilmington College."
Riccardi is a senior from Columbus majoring in political science and history. Her extensive involvement has included president of Student Government Association, Resident Student Association and WC's Peace Corp Prep program. She also has held leadership roles in such organizations as Ladies in Power, Diversity in Action, Amnesty International, Spring Lobby Weekend and Service Leader Executive Board. Also, she was a student representative on the Presidential Search Committee in 2020.
In addition to the Lucas Award, Riccardi received recognition at the convocation for her service as student body president along with the SGA Distinguished Service Award, the Karen Couch Residence Life Award and the Reynolds' Influence Award, the latter of which is named in honor of former President Jim and Sue Reynolds in recognition of their dedication to the College. She also garnered recognition for being a member of Green Key Honor Society and received a Quaker Impact Award.
"Ariana is a passionate student leader who is driven to enact change on a local and national level through grass roots organizing, lobbying, advocating and educating the public about important issues," Bates added.
