Campus Rec employees garner national awards

Two Portland State students recently received recognition from the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association for their contributions to the university’s campus recreation program.

The students, Yoshini Gunawardena and Josh Read, are recipients of this year’s annual William Wasson Student Academic and Leadership Award, given to undergraduate and graduate students across the country. The awards are given in recognition of excellence in campus recreation. Gunawardena and Read received undergraduate and graduate awards, respectively.

Gunawardena, a senior, was awarded for her work as communications coordinator with PSU Campus Recreation. A graphic design major, Gunawardena said she is responsible for designing all the promotional material for the Campus Rec department.

Gunawardena said she is excited to receive her award.

“I’m definitely really honored. It’s definitely really exiting,” Gunawardena said. “I went to nationals last year, and I got to talk with some of the winners. It’s a very, very big honor.”

Josh Read, a graduate student in environmental management and Campus Rec’s assistant coordinator, was awarded for his work with Campus Rec’s intramural program.

Read said the award is not just a recognition of his contributions, however.

“I think it’s great and I think it reflects well on our program,” Read said of intramurals. “And not me or Yoshi, even though I think we’re deserving of what we got. I think the program is as deserving.”

Campus Rec Director Alex Accetta nominated both students for the awards.

“Both of these guys are just off the charts,” Accetta said. “They’re unreal.”

Gunawardena and Read were chosen out of several other student nominees from regional schools, Accetta said.

Each year two graduate and four undergraduate award recipients are chosen from each of six total regions that make up the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association membership. Awards are based on academics and student involvement, such as volunteer work, Accetta said. Almost every university in the country that has a campus recreation program is a member of the association, he said.

Recipients will be awarded at the National Intramural-Recreation Sports Association national conference to be held this April in Austin, Texas.