The Liza Burke Community Spirit Award honors individuals and student organizations at the University of Georgia who profoundly and positively impact their peers, campus, or community through dedication, character, leadership, and creative thinking. Recipients demonstrate outstanding achievements in creating spaces or events that spark joy and enhance the community around the UGA campus.

Established in memory of Liza Burke, a vibrant UGA senior whose life exemplified community spirit and joy, the award is funded by the Liza and Edie Burke Educational Fund. This fund supports educational opportunities worldwide, including the Liza Burke Community Spirit Award at UGA.

2024 Award Recipients

The inaugural recipients of the Liza Burke Community Spirit Award in 2024 were Julian Bolanos and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Julian served as Alpha Tau Omega’s first-ever Philanthropy Chairman, where he led impactful fundraising efforts—including raising over $16,000 for Miracle at UGA and organizing the widely attended Tau Tug event, which hosted over 1,000 students and raised $75,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He also contributed to Miracle at UGA as the Hospital Relations Co-Chair, demonstrating consistent leadership and dedication to service.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was honored for their wide-reaching and lasting impact on the UGA and Athens communities. Through initiatives in educational development, economic empowerment, physical and mental health, social action, and international awareness, the sorority exemplified the values of compassion, community uplift, and positive leadership that the award seeks to recognize.

2025 Award Recipients

The 2025 recipients were David Britain and the Backlight Student Film Festival.

David is a graduate student at UGA’s J.M. Tull School of Accounting and a participant in KPMG’s MADA program. He plans to graduate with a Master of Accountancy in 2026 and pursue CPA licensure and a career in auditing. Beyond his academic pursuits, David has served as Executive Director and former Vice President of Finance for Designated Dawgs, a 501(c)(3) student-run nonprofit providing free, safe, and judgment-free rides home to the Athens community. The organization works to reduce DUI incidents and support the safety of students and local residents, making a vital impact in line with the spirit of the award.

Backlight Student Film Festival, Inc. was founded in 2021 and has quickly grown into a dynamic, student-led nonprofit organization. It hosts a competitive annual film festival at UGA that showcases undergraduate and graduate student work from across the state of Georgia. With an average acceptance rate of 12%, the festival offers opportunities for student filmmakers to connect with industry professionals, attend networking mixers, screenings, and panels, and build meaningful relationships in Georgia’s growing film scene. Their work cultivates artistic expression, builds community, and creates valuable bridges between academic and professional creative spaces—making Backlight a powerful example of student-led initiative and impact.