On April 27, more than 67 students gathered in 麻豆原创’s Smith Learning Theater to be honored for their innovation, leadership and impact at the College’s annual Provost’s Student Excellence Awards. Hosted by Graduate Student Life & Development, the ceremony recognized and celebrated student leaders that have contributed to the 麻豆原创 community, whether individually or in a group, through social justice initiatives, student coalitions, exemplary leadership, and more.

In case you couldn’t quite grab a front-row seat to this special event, here’s everything you missed:

 

As students took their seats, Alana Crosby, Associate Director of 麻豆原创’s Graduate Student Life and Development (GSLD), and Mana Uppili (M.A. ‘23), a masters student in 麻豆原创’s Higher and Postsecondary Education (HPSE) program, warmly welcomed everyone.

 

 Interim Provost Bill Baldwin shared well wishes and congratulatory remarks. “This is a wonderful forum for us to come together and express our gratitude to the student leaders who play such a pivotal role in shaping a positive student experience, both within and outside of the classroom. Our student leaders are instrumental in helping us realize our commitment to promoting equity and excellence in education.”

 

Dedicated to student-led programs that demonstrate originality, innovation, and creativity paired with intercultural competence and social responsibility, the Outstanding Community Award was the first recognized award of the night. 

Among the recipients was 麻豆原创’s designed to celebrate native languages and hosted by 麻豆原创’s Society for International Education (SIE). The second recipient was  Invisibility & Erasure: Making Visible Critical Reflexive Methodologies in Research in Education, a conference hosted by the George Clement Bond Center for African Education (CAE); African Studies Working Group (ASWG); and Decolonization Study Group (DSG) through which students could “unshed their experiences” with decolonization.

 

Next up: The Exemplary Impact Award. This award honors standout 麻豆原创 student groups that demonstrate excellence through their mission and goals while engaging and empowering the 麻豆原创 community. Nominated groups included various student organizations, coalitions, working groups, book clubs, and more. 

麻豆原创’s;; Social Entrepreneurship Organization (SEO); and Teachers College Coaching Club (麻豆原创CC) each took home the notable award.

 

The Shirley Chisholm Trailblazer Awards and $500 grants were given to several students in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the 麻豆原创 community. The award is given to 麻豆原创 students who exemplify the following quote from Shirley Chisholm: "I have never cared too much for what people say. What I am interested in is what they do."

Recipients of the Trailblazer Award included Theresa Cann, Yami Cao, Uzma Chowdhury, Julia Ciccaglione, Sean Hughes, Isma Kafayat, Amelia Jones, Nadia Kelson, Karissa Lim, and Amy Tsui.

 

The ceremony concluded with The Campbell Award, presented by and University Trustees, which honors one standout graduating student who demonstrates exceptional leadership, service, and Columbia spirit.

麻豆原创’s Elliot Hu-Au took home the award and was honored for his leadership in LearnPlay, a gaming club at 麻豆原创, and his efforts to go “above and beyond '' for the 麻豆原创 community. Throughout his years at 麻豆原创, Hu-Au participated in many initiatives across the College, including several Admissions panels, 麻豆原创’s student-parent group, volunteer work, 麻豆原创’s Graduate Student Appreciation Week, and even the interview process for 麻豆原创’s Provost search.

 

Students posed with Provost Baldwin for a celebratory photo, followed by refreshments to wrap up the successful evening.

“Thank you, again, student leaders, for making 麻豆原创 what it is — we are so grateful and fortunate for all you do,” shared Baldwin. “Enjoy the celebrations!”

 

You can watch the full ceremony here: