VCU's Leadership and Service Awards honors students for outstanding efforts

By Malorie Burkett

Virginia Commonwealth University recently held its 2003 Leadership and Service Awards ceremony to honor the top VCU students for their leadership and service efforts at the university.

"I can well appreciate how difficult it is to balance the demands of studies with a desire to become more active in an academic community." Said Dr. Eugene P. Trani, VCU President. "We are encouraged by their efforts, for they represent what VCU is and what it strives to accomplish."

Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, the ceremony was held in the University Student Commons' Commonwealth Ballroom. Dr. Martha Lou Green, interim dean of student affairs, presided over the ceremony, while faculty presenters from the different schools and departments along with Dr. Trani, presented awards to the students.

Awards and honorees include:

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges -- presented to outstanding campus leaders selected on the basis of academic achievement, community service, leadership in extracurricular activities and future potential.

• Ethan Beattie - History
• Kimberly Brown - Criminal Justice
• Sarah Buck - Psychology
• Denise Canonizado - Biology and Chemistry
• Laura Clark - Hospitality Services and Event Planning
• Austin Cohen - Biology
• James Depew - Chemistry and Math
• Ashmi Doshi - Chemistry
• Andre Goulet - Marketing
• Nadia Hyder - Psychology
• Ali Khan - Chemistry and Mass Communications
• Hollie Mann - Sociology and Women's Studies
• Samantha Marsh - Psychology
• Jennifer Mekolichich - Information Systems
• Michael Mingee - Mechanical Engineering and Physics
• Myo-Thwin Myint - Biomedical Engineering
• Debraj Mukherjee - Biology
• Diana Ocampo - Biology
• Katherine Overman - Occupational Therapy
• Carrie Parker - Political Science
• Bina Patel - Biology and Chemistry
• Joanna Sharps - English and Education
• Neil Sheth - Biology
• Rishi Sood - Biology
• Kiersten Stech - Biology and Pre-Med

University Service Awards - presented to students who have provided outstanding service and commitment to university committees, student organizations and/or the Richmond community while maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA or 3.0 for graduate students.

• Ethan Beattie - History
• Sarah Buck - Psychology
• Shivani Gupta - Chemistry and Philosophy
• Debraj Mukherjee - Biology
• Diana Ocampo - Biology

University Leadership Awards - presented to students in leadership roles in student organizations or university committees who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating outstanding leadership ability and commitment to their organizations while maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA or 3.0 for graduate students.

• Arpana Agrawal - Medicine
• Steven Bowen - Criminal Justice
• Sarah Buck - Psychology
• Laura Clark - Hospitality Services and Event Planning
• Prue Cormie - Chemistry
• Christina Maria Falo - Medicine
• Michael Fox - Medicine
• Jeffrey Graham - Dentistry
• Shivani Gupta - Chemistry and Philosophy
• Sarah Kattakuzhy - Biology and Psychology
• Ali Khan - Chemistry and Mass Communications
• Debraj Mukherjee - Biology
• Myo-Thwin Myint - Biomedical Engineering
• Diana Ocampo - Biology
• Mary Perkinson - Mechanical Engineering

William H. Duvall Award for Student Activities and Involvement - presented to students who have provided exemplary service, beyond normal expectations in student activities, student groups and/or organizations and are in good academic standing.

• James Depew - Chemistry and Math

Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Services Award - presented to students who have provided exemplary service beyond normal expectations, in student activities, student groups and/or organizations and are in good academic standing.

• Steven Bowen - Criminal Justice

VCU Alumni Association Award - Sponsored by the VCU Academic campus Alumni Association, the award is presented to an Academic campus senior who has exhibited exemplary characteristics in the areas of scholastics, leadership and service to VCU and the Richmond community.

• Debraj Mukherjee - Biology

Distinguished Service Awards - These awards are presented to outstanding students by their college or school. The recipients have a distinguished record of service in their college of school, performed well scholastically and provided outstanding leadership in student organizations.

College of Humanities and Sciences

• Robert J. Fazio - Counseling Psychology
• Nontraditional Studies Achievement
• Erin Hellend - Interdisciplinary Studies

School of Allied Health Professions

• Sarah Virginia Chewning - Physical Therapy
• Christy Williams - Health Administration

School of Engineering

• Christopher E. Bara - Chemical Engineering
• Dean L. Lewis - Electrical Engineering
• Michael Dean Mingee - Mechanical Engineering
• Jacqueline Ragos - Biomedical Engineering

School of Pharmacy

• Kalpesh J. Patel - Pharmacy

Board of Visitors Award - presented to an outstanding sophomore, junior or returning senior who has distinguished himself/herself scholastically and provided outstanding leadership and service to the university and Richmond community. The recipient of this award receives a one-year scholarship in an amount covering in-state tuition and fees. The award is sponsored by VCU's Board of Visitors.

• Myo-Thwin-Myint - Biomedical Engineering

Certificate of recognition

• Debraj Mukherjee - Biology
• Archana Mehta - Biology