2024 Seitz Award winner

Rising junior Megan MacWade didn't expect to win this year's Seitz Award. In fact, she didn't initially plan on applying to the University of Delaware at all.

"UD was such an unexpected college for me to go to. It kind of came out of nowhere," she said. "My mom told me to look here, and I fell in love with the campus. As I looked further into the departments, I knew that this was where I wanted to go to school."

The Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, native decided to pursue a dual degree in psychology and women and gender studies with a concentration in domestic violence prevention and services. Her studies led her to the Blue Hens CARE Program and, ultimately, winning this year's Seitz Award.

The Seitz Award recognizes a first-year or sophomore student in good academic and disciplinary standing who exemplifies the "We Are Blue Hens" values of respect, openness, innovation, engagement and mentorship.

As a peer educator for the Blue Hens CARE Program, MacWade works to provide sexual misconduct prevention education and promote healthy relationship behaviors.

MacWade connected her responsibilities in this role to the "We Are Blue Hens" value of engagement.

"Engagement resonates with me the most because in the work I do as a peer educator and the research I do with domestic violence, it is crucial to engage with different people so they are learning," she said. "It is also important to engage with different types of people and groups because you get to learn new terminology and the work that is going on around you, and it allows you to gain new perspectives."

Joanne Sampson, program coordinator of violence prevention and Blue Hens CARE, nominated MacWade for the Seitz Award after seeing her excel in educating 180 new students during Welcome Weekend, connecting her strengths to the remaining "We Are Blue Hen" values.

"Megan has a natural openness in talking confidently about sensitive topics," Sampson said. "Meeting other students where they're at takes maturity and practice, and Megan exemplifies the values of respect and acceptance of others and appreciates different perspectives. Megan is always at the forefront of innovation, sharing her creative ideas on how to improve programs or develop new initiatives to engage her peers in making UD a safer and healthier campus. I could not think of a better role model."

MacWade attributed her achievement to Sampson's guidance.

"I cannot be more grateful for her nomination because she is someone I look up to and I am so inspired by her every day. I wouldn't have been able to do this without her supporting me," MacWade said. "I was so surprised and honored to learn that I won this year's award. I know there are so many people who do amazing things at the University, and it was an honor to know that people thought that the work I was doing was important enough to win this award."

In addition to Sampson, MacWade named her parents and UD faculty members Angela Hattery and Jeffrey Richardson as her sources of inspiration.

"My parents inspire me in my academic pursuits because they're always there to encourage and support me. When I am having a bad day or am struggling, the first people who are always there are my parents," MacWade said. "I cannot thank my professors and support on campus enough for how much they have been involved with helping me further my academic pursuits and encouraging me to gain more opportunities."

MacWade plans to put her award money toward her education. After graduating, she hopes to pursue research and become a professor in women and gender studies.

She encouraged other students to get involved on campus.

"Whether that's joining a club, working on campus or just talking with professors, it will immerse you more in the community and help you build lifelong connections," she said.

About the award

The fund for the George and Margaret Collins Seitz Award was established in 1954 at UD by Margaret Seitz to honor the memory of her mother and father. This annual recognition, which includes a $1,500 award, is presented to a first-year or second-year student who exemplifies outstanding character by demonstrating and encouraging in others the We Are Blue Hen values of respect, openness, innovation, engagement and mentorship. Nominations are collected through the end of March each year. For more information, please visit the award website, administered by UD's Division of Student Life.