Screamin' Eagles Pep Band

 

Screamin' Eagles Awards

Created in 2007 to help foster community, spirit, and give deserved recognition, the AU Screamin' Eagles Pep Band presents three annual awards to outstanding members who contribute to the growth, energy, and leadership of the band.

The Screamin' Eagle Award for Outstanding Spirit
AU Screamin' Eagles Pep Band

Criteria: Must be a member, in any year of the university, of the AU Pep Band
Number: Two (2) awards, given annually in the spring
Selection: The two (2) band members receiving the most votes on a ballot presented to the entire band, with each band member voting for two (2) people, will receive this annual award

Description:
Recipients of The Screamin' Eagle Award for Outstanding Spirit will have demonstrated overwhelming spirit throughout the previous year. They will have taken to heart the very essence of the American University Pep Band by being the most supportive of AU Athletics that they can be. Through cheering, attendance, musicianship and overall dedication to supporting AU Athletics, recipients will have demonstrated a positive attitude, high energy and a contagious spirit both within the Band and the AU community. Recipients display a love for what they do - both in playing music and in supporting American University.

2008 Recipients:Mike Souza, AU College of Arts and Sciences '09
 Toni M. Rask, AU School of Public Affairs '10
 Matt Nestopoulos, School of International Service '09
2007 Recipients:Matt Nestopoulos, School of International Service '09
 Nicholas Thorpe, College of Arts and Sciences '06

The Dr. Robert H. Parker Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service
AU Screamin' Eagles Pep Band

Criteria: Must be a member, in any year of the university, of the AU Pep Band
Number: One (1) award, given annually in the spring
Selection: The one (1) band member receiving this award every year will be selected with the discretion and insight of the Director

Description:
Dr. Robert H. Parker (CAS '34) was the first band manager of the AU Pep Band as a student - the College Band - participating in directing and running the band from 1931 to 1934. Not only was he a founding member, but his early contributions of leadership and service helped to foster the growth of the College Band over the years into the institution it is today.

Dr. Parker went on to become district superintendent of the Baltimore South District of the Methodist Church, and served as President of Wesley University, in Delaware, from 1960 to 1975, to critical acclaim. He passed away in September 1998.

Recipients of The Dr. Robert H. Parker Award for Outstanding Leadership and Service should exemplify the leadership and dedication to the first College Band of Dr. Parker. They should be, without question, servants of the band and its members - putting dedication to music, spirit, and American University, above all else.

2008 Recipient:Emily Pfefer, AU School of Public Affairs '11
2007 Recipient:Mike Souza, AU College of Arts and Sciences '09

The 30 Club for Overall Excellence
AU Screamin' Eagles Pep Band

Criteria: Must be a member, in any year of the university, of the AU Pep Band
Number: Two (2) awards, given annually in the spring
Selection: The two (2) band members receiving the most votes on a ballot presented to the entire band, with each band member voting for two (2) people, upon meeting final approval from the Director, will receive this annual award

Description:
Members in The 30 Club for Overall Excellence will have demonstrated service, enthusiasm, spirit, musicianship, leadership, and should be considered "most valuable players" in the AU Pep Band. Their membership in The 30 Club will not only recognize their achievements, but also the achievements of the first College Band of American University:

"Through student initiative, the long-standing and urgent need for a band is to an encouraging degree being met. Judging by the performance of the band that night, and by its contribution to the spirit of the occasion, the College Band will from now on have a most significant place in the activities on the campus."
- The Eagle, 12/17/1930

The 30 Club for Overall Excellence should remind us of the first days of the AU Pep Band in 1930 and the long history of the program which developed from the initial contributions of two key individuals: Richard Buckingham, first student director, and Robert Parker, first band manager. Members of the 30 Club should exemplify everything - service, leadership, musicianship, spirit, and honor - that it means to be a member of one of the oldest musical institutions at American University.

2008 Recipients:Mike Souza, AU College of Arts and Sciences '09
 Nicholas Thorpe, College of Arts and Sciences '06
2007 Recipients:Alicia Krawitz, AU School of Public Affairs '07
 Carl Seip, AU School of Public Affairs '09