Ian Sams was honored with Alpha Lambda Delta’s Outstanding Senior Award on Friday. Sams is majoring in political science and is from Johnson City, Tenn.
“It’s so humbling to receive this award because it speaks to the way the University can recognize students who are never afraid to speak from their minds and hearts,” Sams said. “It also signifies that students who consistently stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity can be chosen to represent an entire class of students at UA as an ‘Outstanding Student.’”
Sams has served as SGA communications director, president of the College Democrats, staff columnist for The Crimson White, instructor for a freshman Honors College course concentrating on issues in Alabama, and he was accepted into the Blackburn Institute as a freshman. He also received a 2009 Capstone Hero Award, and he is a member of the 2011 class of Phi Beta Kappa.
“I feel like my greatest achievement was working within SGA to help change the course of the organization,” Sams said.
Sams said the SGA was “closed-off” to a large portion of students, and many felt the SGA was ineffective or mistrusted.
“Over the course of the last year, I feel our team — in some way — changed those perceptions by creating a more open, more diverse SGA than we’ve ever had before,” he added.
Sams said the University’s Vice Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs, Mark Nelson, left an “indelible mark” on him as an undergraduate.
“He’s been a constant source of advice and counsel and has helped me develop as a leader in almost every facet,” Sams said.
“His commitment to progress on campus showed me that, with hard work and compromise, any student can step up to the plate of leadership and leave an impact at this university,” he said.
Sams also said his friend Kendra Key taught him everything he needed to know about being a leader.
“Her selfless service and empathy radiated into who I am, and I continue to look to her for wisdom and guidance,” he said.
Key and Sams have known each other since Sams was a freshman.
“I met Ian when he was a freshman at the Capstone and quickly saw him as a student with a strong passion for enhancing the quality of student life on campus while working to bring students together,” Key stated. “Ian loves the University of Alabama and made lasting impacts that will continue to serve students presently attending and students to come.”
Next year, Sams hopes to live and work in Washington, D.C. for a member of Congress, a committee or an advocacy group. He also hopes to attend law school. Sams said he will always remember his time here as an undergraduate of the University.
“I’ve learned a lot here, and I think it’s a microcosm of our state and nation,” he said. “The lessons learned here — especially during my senior year — will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
