Deepti Vanguri Wins ACUI Award

Deepti Vanguri, Assistant Director for Student Activities & Special Events for Texas A&M University-Commerce, was recently awarded the Shirley Plakidas New Professional Award for outstanding service to the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) within her first five years as a professional.

“My first reaction was ‘Me? Really?” said Vanguri. “I am extremely humbled to have won this award. ACUI and Texas A&M University-Commerce have been instrumental in helping me become the professional that I am today, and for that I am truly grateful!”

The award was established in 1999 to honor Shirley Plakidas, an influential leader of Region 12 for over three decades. Plakidas served as the ACUI President from 1995-1996.

Deepti Vanguri was chosen for the award for her hard work and dedication to A&M-Commerce and ACUI. Vanguri has served the region for the last five years. Beginning as a Graduate Student Project Team Leader, and then serving on conference planning teams, presenting at regional and international conferences, and publishing in the ACUI Bulletin, she has embraced her role as a professional. She has also served on the Region 12 Leadership Team as Conference Host Chair, Education Chair, and was recently selected as the Region II Education Programs Coordinator for 2013-14

“I was very excited for Deepti to receive this award,” said Wendy Morgan, Vanguri's supervisor and Director of the Rayburn Student Center. “I am so proud of her and all she has done for our University, as well as for the ACUI. She is a rising star, and it is wonderful to see her accomplishments acknowledged with such a prestigious regional award!”