AMHERST, N.Y. – Daemen College’s Office of Orientation and Leadership Development has received the 2015 Outstanding Use of Theme Award from the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education (NODA), an international organization for professional administrators, students, faculty, and related organizations.

This is the first national award the college has ever received from NODA, which provides education, leadership and professional development programs for its members.

“I am extremely proud of our team’s efforts in making orientation a meaningful and enjoyable experience for Daemen students, and this recognition from NODA is a testament to their excellent work,” said Dr. Greg Nayor, vice president for student affairs.

Daemen was honored for its 2015 orientation theme “Hitting the Trails,” a program overseen by Kimberly Pagano, director of orientation and leadership development. Criteria for the Outstanding Use of Theme Award is based on consistency and originality in use of a theme at orientation, new student transition programming, and related publications.