The 2024 Servant Leader Awards

On behalf of the 2024 Servant Leader Awards Committee, we are honored to announce the Twentieth Annual Servant Leader Awards recipients.
For the past 20 years, the Servant Leader Awards have striven to seek out and honor students whose dedication to service both on and off campus can serve as an example to their peers and all of us at Seton Hall. Over the years, these awards have shone a light on students who sought to serve others not for recognition but because of their innate call to end social injustice in all walks of life.

We are proud to announce three recipients for this year's awards:

• Angela Alvarez
• Nimmy Roy
• Hannah Tate

Each recipient's contributions to acts of love and service are unique and widespread within the Seton Hall community and beyond.

Angela Alvarez, sophomore, is on the dual-degree track pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Juris Doctor in Law. Her approach to servant leadership is building community by fostering a sense of empathy for underprivileged populations. Angela’s passion is made evident through the various projects that bridge professional endeavors with her dedication to service. Currently, Angela is a work study student at at the Division of Volunteer Efforts (DOVE), serving as a program coordinator for Raphael’s Life House Babysitting, where she spends time caring for babies of young, homeless mothers. Her service work started before joining the Seton Hall community. In high school she began work with the Black Lives Matter movement through the Silk City Fridge Project. She, not only performed direct service though stocking the fridge, labeling food and distributing it to those in need, she also raised awareness of the project by going door to door in apartment complexes to tell people about this resource. Angela participated in a spring break mission trip to El Salvador with DOVE. She describes her time there her most impactful service experience. Having meaningful encounters with Salvadorian families and communities in need, she had an opportunity to immerse herself in their stories and offer meaningful friendship through a ministry of presence. Because of Angela’s commitment to transformative action, her humility and her leadership she embodies the qualities of a servant leader.

Hannah Tate, senior, is pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Honors English. Her philosophy on servant leadership is to lead through the pillars of humility and integrity. She is inspired by the work of Martin Luther King Jr. and is involved in our MLK Scholarship Association on campus, emphasizing community building and justice. Her work moves beyond Seton Hall; she has dedicated innumerable hours of service to an organization called Miracle Messages. Miracle Messages matches individuals experiencing homelessness with volunteers from around the world for weekly phone calls and texts to check-in and say hello. Hannah has spoken to her friend weekly for over 2 years.

Hannah participated in a mission trip where she met and served a displaced family. She noted that connection is a basic need and despite the differences in cultural identity, she was able to bond with this family. Through this experience, and many others alike for her, she realized, that service is not just about what you can do for people but the relationships you build.

Nimmy Roy, junior, is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in both Social and Behavioral Sciences and Catholic Studies. Her philosophy of servant leadership is doing for others in a way that allows them to grow, while maintaining the dignity of every person. Nimmy’s parents instilled in her the importance of service and ministry. Nimmy has served as both a volunteer and a student leader in many of the community service programs offered through the Division of Volunteer Efforts. She has spent her spring breaks serving in El Salvador two years in a row, being a returning student this year allowed her to lead others students through service and reflection. Each week, Nimmy coordinates the Adopt-A-Grandparent program at a local nursing home. She spends her Friday nights tutoring immigrants in English as Second Language classes and also serves in local food pantries. She is never without a friendly word or a question of concern for anyone in need, and she builds a strong community with her volunteers, friends and church community as a leader. Nimmy is particularly focused on social justice and how it ties into her faith and obligation to serve.

On April 15th, the Division of Volunteer Efforts held a ceremony in celebration of this year's recipients. Family and friends were able to join from far and near to celebrate with our recipients. Katia Passerini, Ph.D., the University's Interim President shared inspirational words on the role of servant leadership. Incoming President Msgr. Joseph Reilly, presented the awards to the recipients. Daniel Nugent, ’03 and ’10 gave an incredible keynote address.

Seton Hall University wishes to congratulate the recipients of the Twentieth Annual Servant Leader Award. Thank you for your constant efforts towards the betterment of our communities and all of humanity. Your hard work and service towards the transcendence of humanity will never go unnoticed!

Categories: Campus Life, Faith and Service