More than 400 students, faculty, and staff of Dalhousie kicked off the Easter long weekend with inspiration and passion at the fifth annual Student Impact Awards on Thursday, March 24.
The evening started with a thundering drum and vocal Mi’kmaq performance from Eastern Eagle, and a charismatic musical duet from this year’s co-hosts George Woodhouse and Uytae Lee. George and Uytae introduced the night through rhyme and a catchy chorus that had everyone in the McInnes Room join in: “You made an impact on us, you made an impact on you, you made an impact the size of a zoo.”
Dalhousie President Richard Florizone and DSU President Dan Nicholson then welcomed the capacity crowd to an event that has quickly become a high point of the school year.
“I am beyond impressed by the range of achievements we are celebrating this year,” said Dr. Florizone referring to the student leaders from 12 Dal faculties and 10 different societies and groups who were soon to receive their awards.
In addition to inspiring student leaders, the evening included a number of engaging performances. DalJam and Tiger Patrol took the stage with musical numbers, the Black and Gold Dance Team moved the room with a powerful contemporary piece, and a lively dance by the Sikh Student Association had the crowd at its feet.
The Impact Awards are an opportunity to celebrate and share accomplishments, but also to inspire continued growth and positive change.
“It was an amazing feeling to be recognized with such a special award, but it was more inspiring to be in a room full of some of the most passionate, driven, and hard-working people from the Dalhousie community,” said Malcolm Honour Award recipient Christie Silversides.
The Impact Award’s extravagant décor and assortment of framed awards are a modest appraisal of the outstanding list of achievements made by Dal students. In total, there were 66 framed pennants presented to winners of 30 different awards, as well as five Board of Governors’ Award winners (the university's top student life award).
Below is a list of all recipients.
2016 Impact Award winners
RISING STAR AWARDS
Presented to first-, second-, and third-year students who have demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment, leadership, creativity, and initiative to the DSU, as well as to the campus and community at large.
Jennifer Allott, Science, Coquitlam, B.C.
Patrick Bondy, Arts and Social Sciences, Kansas City, Mo.
Caitlin Grady, Science, Chelsea, Que.
Jacob Hamilton, Science, Dartmouth, NS
Alex Hughes, Arts and Social Sciences, Victoria, B.C.
Mukisa Kakembo, Science, Bedford, N.S.
Mostafa Sarhan, Engineering, Port Said, Egypt
RESIDENCE LIFE LEADER AWARDS
Presented to current residence students in positions of leadership who have best demonstrated an exceptional level of maturity and professionalism, encourage and empower students to engage in student life, lead by example, and work to improve the life of the residence hall.
Xiaoqi Cai, Arts and Social Sciences, Chengdu, China
Kaitlyn Forbes, Health Professions, London, Ont.
James Halliday, Arts and Social Sciences, Mission, B.C.
Kara Koskowich, Science, Lethbridge, Alta.
RESIDENCE LIFE IMPACT AWARDS
Presented to current members of residence hall communities who have made outstanding contributions to the life of their residence community, lead by example by encouraging and empowering residents to get involved, promote respect, and take initiative in creating new opportunities for their peers.
Dimitri Dumcombe, Science, Nassau, Bahamas
Joe Graham, Arts and Social Sciences, Renfrew, Ont.
Alex MacDonald, Management, Toronto, Ont.
Cynthia McNeil-Burke, Arts and Social Sciences, Sydney, N.S.
MOST IMPACTFUL RESIDENCE COUNCIL
Presented to the Residence Council that has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
Risley Hall Residence Council
STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Presented to the student who has demonstrated excellence in generating a new idea or concept that has captured the attention of the community, and demonstrates integrity aligned with their personal values.
Kalab Workye, Management, Halifax, N.S.
GREEN AWARD
Presented to a student who has made a significant contribution to improving awareness on environmental and sustainability issues at Dalhousie, and who has demonstrated passion and inspires others to make a difference.
Paul Bissonnette, Science, Sackville, N.S.
MOST IMPACTFUL NON-COMPETITIVE SPORTS SOCIETY
Presented to a student sports society or club, ratified with the DSU, that has open membership and has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Outdoors Society
MOST IMPACTFUL COMPETITIVE SPORTS SOCIETY
Presented to a student society or club ratified with the DSU that has selective membership and/or competes in intramural leagues, has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie University Cheerleading
MOST IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIETY
Presented to a student society ratified with the DSU that is active in the Dalhousie community and beyond, providing services and addressing issues in the community. It has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
Let’s Talk Science
MOST CHARITABLE SOCIETY
Presented to a student society ratified with the DSU that has made a significant contribution to a charity and has increased awareness at Dalhousie of a given charity or cause; has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, fundraising efforts, and high attendance of its membership; and sets an example for other student societies.
Engineers Without Borders
MOST IMPACTFUL DEPARTMENTAL SOCIETY
Presented to a departmental society ratified with the DSU that has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie University Nursing Students
MOST IMPACTFUL FACULTY SOCIETY
Presented to the faculty-based society ratified with the DSU that has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Arts and Social Sciences Society
MOST IMPACTFUL LEVIED SOCIETY
Presented to a Type 1 levied student society ratified with the DSU that has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
World University Services Canada
MOST IMPACTFUL CULTURAL/SPIRITUAL SOCIETY
Presented to a student society ratified with the DSU that has raised awareness, engaged students, and increased representation of a culture, religion, or spirituality on campus. It demonstrates consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
Indian Sub-Continent Student Association
MOST IMPACTFUL GENERAL AND SPECIAL INTEREST SOCIETY
Presented to a student society ratified with the DSU that caters to the general or niche interests of students, has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.
Rowe Marketing Association
TIGERS LIVE WELL @ DAL AWARD
Presented to a Dalhousie varsity student-athlete who demonstrates significant contribution to the community, has increased awareness at Dalhousie of a given charity or cause, and demonstrates positive leadership and inspires others to get involved.
Katherine Webster, Arts and Social Sciences, Whitby, Ont.
RECREATION & INTRAMURAL LIVE WELL @DAL AWARD
Presented to a student who demonstrates significant commitment to Dalhousie’s sport club or intramural programs, exemplifies the role of recreational sport in developing and promoting student engagement and fun on campus, demonstrates positive leadership, and inspires others to get involved.
Emily Savage, Law, Halifax, N.S.
STUDENT WELLNESS LIVE WELL @DAL AWARD
Presented to the student who best demonstrates leadership in promoting and contributing to a healthy campus, is a role model for health and wellness both in practice and by impacting others to lead a healthy lifestyle (demonstrated through peer-to-peer education, volunteering, service learning, global outreach, or any activity that enhances quality of life and development).
Anthony Saikali, Science, Halifax, N.S.
OFF-CAMPUS LEADERSHIP AWARD
Presented to an outstanding off-campus student leader who has demonstrated significant leadership, commitment, and service aimed at improving their community.
Nicole Doria, Health Professions, Halifax, N.S.
STUDENT ACTIVIST OF THE YEAR
Presented to the Dalhousie student who demonstrates the highest level of passion and commitment to social justice, leads by example, inspires others, and inspires others to create change.
Kimberly Sweeny, Law, Yarmouth, N.S.
TOP DSU COUNCIL MEMBER
Presented to the councillor who has demonstrated a commitment to collaborative problem solving, active representation of their constituency, and initiative in the pursuit of innovation.
Dylan Letendre, Arts and Social Sciences, Prince Albert, Sask.
DSU DAL-KING’S IMPACT AWARD
Presented to the King’s student who is most highly engaged and takes on a leadership role at Dalhousie. This is the sister award to the KSU Community Engagement Award for Dalhousie students at King’s, which acknowledges the contribution of a Dalhousie student to the community at King’s College.
Ellish Hart, Arts and Social Sciences, Halifax, N.S.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR
The International Student of the Year Award is presented to the student who has demonstrated the highest level of excellence in leadership, engagement in the community, inspires others, and is a respected voice for international students at Dalhousie.
Lina El-Setouhy, Architecture and Planning, Cairo, Egypt
DSU TEACHING AWARD
Presented to a Dalhousie professor who has demonstrated a student-centered approach to teaching by going above and beyond for students and encouraging students to push the boundaries of their learning.
Dr. Kevin Duffy, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
CERTIFICATES OF DISTINCTION
Presented to students who demonstrate above-average contributions to campus life over the course of a university career, based on a DSU-determined points system. Points are awarded for holding positions within the DSU, being members of Dalhousie societies, holding residence leadership roles, and other extracurricular involvement.
William Coney, Arts and Social Sciences, Littleton, Mass.
Katherine Dib, Science, Bedford, N.S.
Kelsey Keddy, Management, Halifax, N.S.
Travis LeBlanc, Medicine, Yarmouth, N.S.
Kylie Marsh, Management, Moncton, N.B.
Areeba Moiz, Science, Karachi, Pakistan
Nick Nguyen, Health Professions, Halifax, N.S.
Salman Sajid, Computer Science, Sargodha, Pakistan
Jacqueline Smith, Arts and Social Sciences, The Pas, Man.
Margot Thomas, Management, Toronto, Ont.
GOLD D
Presented to top Dalhousie students to recognize an elite level of involvement and achievement in campus life over the course of their university career. Students are ranked based on a points system for holding positions within the DSU, as members of Dalhousie societies, through residence leadership roles, and other extracurricular involvement. The committee may select a student for this award if the student has not achieved the requisite amount of points, yet has made outstanding extracurricular contributions in the community.
Yasmin Beydoun, Arts and Social Sciences, Halifax, N.S.
Sarah Dobson, Arts and Social Sciences, Halifax, N.S.
Angela Hou, Arts and Social Sciences, Vancouver, B.C.
Christina Joynt, Arts and Social Sciences, Mississauga, Ont.
Rhiannon Makohoniuk, Health Professions, Moncton, N.B.
Jad Sinno, Science, Halifax, N.S.
FACULTY LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Presented to a student in good academic standing in each Dalhousie faculty. These students exemplify the highest level of passion for their discipline, take initiative in creating new opportunities, and encourage their peers to engage in faculty events. Faculty Leadership Award winners positively impact other students in their faculty and the reputation of their faculty outside of the classroom
Agriculture
Emily Davis, Environmental Science, Oxford, N.S.
Architecture and Planning
Jeremy Banks, Community Design, Parksville, B.C.
Arts and Social Sciences
Kaelen MacDonald, Theatre, Saint John, N.B.
Computer Science
Hasmeet Singh Chandok, Ludhiana, India
Dentistry
Abby Barton, Dentistry, Fredericton, N.B.
Engineering
Emily Young, Computer Engineering, Ottawa, Ont.
Health Professions
Leah Carrier, Nursing, Lillooet, B.C.
Law
Peter L’Esperance, Prospect, N.S.
Management
Katie Flanagan, Marketing Management, Kitchener, Ont.
Medicine
Michael MacGillivary, North Sydney, N.S.
Science
Tori Taylor, Chemistry, Mississauga, Ont.
LILLI JU AWARD
Presented to a student who has exhibited the most significant lifetime achievement of outstanding contribution to university life.
Bobby Macpherson, Arts and Social Sciences, Cedar Valley, Ont.
LEVEL CHAN AWARD
Presented to a student who has made the most outstanding contribution to student advocacy and academic justice.
John Hutton, Arts and Social Sciences, Halifax, N.S.
MALCOLM HONOUR AWARD
Presented to a Dalhousie student to recognize an elite level of involvement and achievement in campus life over the course of a university career.
Christie Silversides, Health Professions, Scarborough, Ont.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS’ AWARDS
The Governors’ Awards are the top student awards at Dalhousie University. They recognize students who contribute to the quality and vitality of the university and the achievement of its mission, through both their academic accomplishments and their involvement in campus life. They are awarded each year for exceptional contributions or leadership in such areas as university governance, development of a sense of community on campus, community service, internationalizing the campus, visual or performing arts, minority access, or athletics, while maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or above.
Hasmeet Singh Chandok, Computer Science, Ludhiana, India
Sarah Catherine MacNeil, Health Professions, Albert Bridge, N.S.
Jeremy Ryant, Arts and Social Sciences, Winnipeg, Man.
Aaron Veerland Taylor, Arts and Social Sciences, Debert, N.S.
Maike van Niekerk, Health Professionas, Massey Drive, N.L.
Read more about this year's Board of Governors' Awards recipients here.