Benjamin Hotaling

Benjamin Hotaling said, “Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), for me, is the willingness to carry responsibility for others because people deserve to be cared for. Sometimes it has meant choosing to place myself in reach of other people where I may be able to help, even when I don’t know what exactly I will be helping with—even when I may be faced with large responsibilities.”

Ben serves as the Residential Well-being Senior Student Leader in The Creativity and Innovation District Residence Hall, where his nominator said, “he consistently embraces Ut Prosim by going above and beyond to serve student leaders and the broader CID community.”

When Ben learned that residents in the hall were facing challenges getting the food they needed, he established a food cabinet. He worked quickly and professionally with faculty and staff members to collect non-perishable food donations, find a location to store the food, and inform residents about it.

The nominator said, “Residents who utilized the cabinet expressed feeling supported and cared for by their community as a result of Ben’s efforts.”

Ben has undertaken numerous projects to help the CID best serve its residents, from spearheading a food cabinet to implementing helpful signage to organizing a hot chocolate table welcoming students back from winter break. He was also instrumental in the creation of the CID student council.

Ben’s service is driven by his thoughtfulness. He consistently goes out of his way to help other students feel welcome and comfortable in the CID. Residents and student leaders know they can always count on Ben as a source of support.

“The CID community is fortunate to have such a thoughtful, caring, and service-driven senior student leader,” said the nominator.

Ben is a senior triple-majoring in psychology in the College of Science and Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise and Food Science and Technology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. After graduation, he is considering graduate school, entrepreneurship, or higher education.

Ben said, “I’m less focused on choosing a single title right now and more focused on continuing to learn, explore, and serve in ways that align with my values.”

For his stewardship and care for his community, Student Affairs is proud to present the Aspire! Award for EMBRACE UT PROSIM AS A WAY OF LIFE to Benjamin Hotaling.