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Women in Leadership and Philanthropy

Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Awards

The Woman in Leadership Awards

The Woman in Leadership Award recognizes women students who truly uphold the values of Virginia Tech's motto, Ut Prosim - That I May Serve. The award is given to one graduate and one undergraduate student whose accomplishments include leadership and service to the community. All of the nominees were impressive! The winners were announced at the Circle of Excellence Conference on May 31, 2009. And the winners are...

Our undergraduate winner: Kelsie A. Ostergaard

Kelsie, a recent graduate of Civil Engineering, has served her community of fellow cadets by taking on numerous leadership positions that impacted the lives of those around her. She commanded a cadet company and served as an RA for 53 cadets, ensuring their development, training, safety, and well-being during her command. She also served as the Wing Commander of the Air Force ROTC Detachment at Virginia Tech and was responsible for 200 cadets and 20 cadet staff members. Again, she took on a challenging job in order to serve and give back to the younger cadets. Kelsie also served the surrounding community as a volunteer with the Boy Scouts where she serves as an instructor for troop weekend activities. She served as an activity leader for “Engineering Day” for the Girl Scouts, as a volunteer with the YMCA and Habitat for Humanity, and as a Team Captain for the Relay for Life and coordinator for all Corps of Cadets teams that raised $20,000. She also served on Virginia Tech’s Relay for Life Executive Committee.

Kelsie led her company, the Hotel Company, to the prestigious Beverly S. Parrish, Jr. Gold Cord as the best company in the Corps. She served as a great role model for other cadets and she was able to motivate and inspire those around her to strive for excellence as well.

Kelsie embodies all the values engraved on the university’s pylons. She demonstrated these as a cadet, serving and leading her fellow cadets while maintaining the highest sense of honor. She demonstrated her loyalty to her school and the corps during her time at Virginia Tech and now, as she gets ready to embark on a career as an officer in the United States Air Force, she is clearly demonstrating her loyalty to her nation and her sense of duty to serve something greater than herself. Kelsie has the foundation to make Virginia Tech proud as she continues to live and lead by these ideals in her future endeavors.

Our Graduate Winner: Ashley Tomisek

Ashley, a master’s candidate in sociology and women’s studies, has demonstrated outstanding leadership during her time at Virginia Tech. The staff at the Women’s Center first noticed her when she was a first-year student taking an Introductory Women’s Studies course facilitated by the center. In a class filled with graduating seniors, Ashley was the most vocal student in the room, and without doubt had the most inquisitive mind. As a result of her academic excellence, they invited Ashley to volunteer for Women’s Month and then hired her as an integral member of the center’s front office staff. She has made significant contributions to the center’s educational, outreach and service initiatives including her leadership of the Women’s Leadership Conference Student Advisory Committee, the Receptionist Team, the fundraising arm of International Women in Need (IWiN), the Cornerstone Project, a group of volunteers who turn empty apartments into warm and welcoming homes for women and children leaving abusive home environments, and TEKOA, a residential treatment facility for young girls aged 12 to 18 who have been removed from their homes.

Ashley devotes 110% to each and every thing she does. She offers her help and support for every project that intersects with her interests. She is always the first person to step in if there is a leadership void. She has skill and passion and is very influential with her peers. When her projects hit snags or backslide, she just grows more positive and more determined. Her peers as well as her faculty view her as a leader. Ashley received the 2008 Advancing Women Award for her exemplary leadership in support of women at Virginia Tech. She is also deeply engaged in professional associations through her affiliation with the sociology department and women’s studies program, including Alpha Kappa Delta International Honor Society, the American Sociological Association, Sociologists for Women in Society, Southern Sociological Society, and the Southeaster Women’s Studies Association.

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