In the spring of 2008 the staff of Campus Pride came together to develop the Voice & Action National Leadership Award. This award is for undergraduate student leaders who are creating positive change for LGBT students on college campuses across the country. The staff wanted to create this award because at the time there was no way on the national scale that students were being recognized for the amazing work they do on a daily basis. In just the past three award cycles (including this one) we have seen a huge increase in the awareness of the award as well as the amount of applicants applying each year. This year has raised the bar even higher – we have a total of 40 applicants, which is a 25% increase in the number of applicants from last year. We are also looking at the most diverse applicant pool of the three years this award has been in place.

We need like to publicly thank, Ernst & Young & OUTMedia. These two organizations have offered the financial support to make this award possible. Along with a free registration to attend a regional LGBT College Student Conference, the individual receives the official Voice & Action Award from Campus Pride as well as a free artist/speaker/entertainer to bring to his/her campus from our educational partner OUTmedia.

Before we move onto discussing the 2011 Voice & Action Leadership Award Applicant Pool, I wanted to briefly remind everyone of the past recipients of the award. In 2009 we awarded Justin Hager, UW-Madison; Shawna Scott, University of Georgia; and Celso Perez, Boston College. Than in 2010 we award Stephan Lucas, Pennsylvania State University and George Aumoithe, Jr., Bowdoin College. Please click here to learn about these outstanding leaders.

Now onto the 2011 Voice & Action Leadership Award Applicant Pool

Details are after the jump!

The deadline for the Voice & Action National Leadership Award has been EXTENDED to Wednesday, Nov. 24.

Campus Pride is the leading national nonprofit 501(c)(3) which serves LGBT and ally student leaders and, or campus organizations in the areas of leadership development, support programs and services. The mission of Campus Pride is to build future leaders and safer, more LGBT-friendly colleges and universities. We exist to develop, support and give "voice and action" in building future LGBT and ally leaders. The Voice & Action National Leadership Award embodies our mission, values and vision for inclusion and recognition of young adult leaders in our broader LGBT and ally movement for social justice.

In partnership with Ernst & Young & OUTmedia, the Voice and Action National Leadership Award is an honorary recognition highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of young adult leaders at colleges and universities across the United States. The award is the only honor of its kind, focused on the work of undergraduate college students who are creating positive change for LGBT and ally issues within their campus communities, local communities and region of the country. The award is bestowed upon individuals who use their “voice” to speak up and take “action” to make a difference. The award also acknowledges the vital role nationally that young adult leaders play in the present and for the future of our movement for LGBT fairness and equality.

Campus Pride has recognized outstanding LGBT and ally student leaders since 2008 with the Voice & Action National Leadership Award. Learn more about these outstanding leaders, click here. Campus Pride seeks applications and honors individual recipients in collaboration with the annual regional LGBT and ally conferences.

Every year Campus Pride hopes to honor at least one outstanding young adult in each region of the country if possible. Along with a free registration to attend the conference, the individual receives the official Voice & Action Award from Campus Pride as well as a free artist/speaker/entertainer to bring to his/her campus from our educational partner OUTmedia (www.outmedia.org). The list of artist/speaker/entertainers for 2010-11 will be provided by OUTmedia. The artist/speaker/enterainter must be booked the following academic year prior to the next regional conference. Honoraria for the artist/speaker/entertainer is waived; however, the campus must fund travel, hotel, tech arrangements, etc. Certain other restrictions may also apply as far as availability in the specific region of the country.

For more about the Award, rules & eligibility and to submit nominations, visit www.campuspride.org/voiceandaction.asp.

George Aumoithe, Jr. of Bowdoin College and Stephen Lucas of Penn State chosen for national LGBT honor recognizing extraordinary contributions

(Charlotte, NC, February, 15, 2010) -- Campus Pride (www.CampusPride.org) recognizes George Aumoithe, Jr. of Bowdoin College (Class of 2011) and Stephen Lucas from Pennsylvania State University (Class of 2010) with the 2010 National Voice & Action Leadership Award. The annual honorary recognition is the only one of its kind focused nationally on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally college students. Every year the award is bestowed upon young adults who have made extraordinary contributions as LGBT and ally leaders at colleges and universities across the United States.

“Campus Pride created the Voice & Action National Leadership Award to showcase the amazing work and commitment by young adult leaders in our movement for fairness and equality. Indeed, both George and Stephen exemplify this award and Campus Pride honors both of them and all the outstanding leaders who applied this year,” Christopher Bylone, Campus Pride volunteer program coordinator, said.