Starting college can be an exciting yet scary adventure.

Yet, often a student will meet… Starting college can be an exciting yet scary adventure.

Yet, often a student will meet someone, either a professor, advisor, administrator or other staff member who touches that student and reminds him why he is in college. That person then becomes a mentor to the student.

A unique award was created to thank those that have been mentors to them during their years at Pitt.

The Joyce M. Giangarlo, Stephen S. Sivulich Leadership and Mentoring Award was established to recognize someone that has gone above and beyond taking the time out for a student to make a positive difference.

Giangarlo was grateful to be able to contribute so much to students’ college experiences by working hard to be a part of their lives.

“Mentors are leaders because we are able to show someone the way. By standing either beside or behind them and being there to the end,” Giangarlo said. “For a student to have the capacity to give back like this is amazing.”

All nominees for the award are considered and reviewed by a selections committee and the winners – both the student and the mentor – are awarded $500.

The selections committee, comprised of a committee chair and three student affair personnel from other universities, read all essays and decide on a winner.

“Mentoring is fundamental to the learning concept,” said Jack Daniel, vice provost for undergraduate studies and dean of students.

“To award staff members that help students is truly a meritorious task,” he said. “Acknowledging these ‘key staffers’ that are contributing to the growth of student is what the learning experience is really all about.”

Students can go to http://www.angelfire.com/pa5/mentoraward and complete the electronic application to nominate a mentor within the University. The application deadline is March 19.