Elizabeth O’Hara and Jordan Allen recognized for leadership, service, academics and involvement
Seniors Elizabeth O’Hara and Jordan Allen are the 2022 recipients of the President’s Award. Each year, the award is given to graduating seniors who demonstrate exemplary leadership skills, academic achievement, service to the University and extracurricular involvement.
“Liz and Jordan are incredibly deserving of this award,” says Rider President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D. “They have been steadfast leaders during especially challenging times as the pandemic upended their college experience. I am grateful for the many ways they have positively impacted our community.”
Allen, a music education major, is one of the first Westminster Choir College students to hold an executive board position in SGA. He is the vice president of class connections. In that role, he oversees all four class counsels. He also served as the Westminster Choir College Class of 2022 president, freshman class secretary, sophomore class president, an orientation leader, vice president of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a men’s music fraternity, and recruitment chair for the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon.
“Winning the President’s Award was the cherry on top for my years here at Westminster Choir College and Rider University. It was an indication to myself that I have truly made an impact on my community and have left my mark here at the University,” says Allen, who is a member of the National Association of Music Educators, Soulfege A Capella, Deaftones A Capella, the Westminster Jubilee Singers and the Westminster Concert Handbell Choir, where he currently serves as a teaching assistant.
Allen is also an active member of his community. At Light of the World Family Worship Church in Hamilton, New Jersey, he volunteers as a Sunday middle school teacher and praise and worship leader. At the Vanguard Theatre Company in Montclair, New Jersey, he works with children and teenagers as a workshop instructor and private voice and piano instructor.
Allen has a 3.8 GPA and will pursue his master’s in music education this fall at Rider. His ultimate career goal is to work in higher education so that he can make a difference in the lives of future generations of students.
