Student Recognition Awards Celebrate Campus Leadership
Two Fulbright grant winners, a decorated Iraq War veteran and Mr. USC were among the more than 200 students who received Student Recognition Awards on May 14.
The event celebrates students who display excellence and leadership in both the classroom and the community. With a new online submission process in place before nominations began, the ceremony featured more awards than in recent years.
"This year's process was exciting for Abi (Ingleton) and me," commented Sumun Pendakur, director of Asian Pacific American Student Services. "By creating an entirely online nomination platform, and by inviting all faculty and staff to submit nominations, we received a greater number of nominations than in past years. This resulted in greater selectivity and a higher caliber of awardees."
Fifty-seven students received the Order of Areté, the highest honor for graduate students. The award is given to students who have demonstrated significant depth and scope of responsibility in a campus or community leadership role.
The 123 graduating seniors recognized for demonstrating extraordinary service and commitment to the campus community were awarded the Order of Troy. These recipients have served as mentors, held key leadership positions within numerous academic and professional organizations, and excelled academically.
The Order of the Laurel and the Palm is the highest award given to graduating seniors who have shown exemplary leadership and scholarship. Less than one percent of each graduating class is selected. This year, there were 24 recipients.
"The 204 Student Recognition Award winners were outstanding, and we were pleased to recognize the tremendous depth of involvement, leadership and community engagement," Pendakur said.