Dalhousie rolled out the red carpet through a path of star-spangled balloons last Thursday night for 400 guests at the 6th Annual Impact Awards. Students, families, friends, staff, and faculty took their seats in a beautifully decorated McInnes Room to take in the night’s celebrations.
Following welcomes from Dalhousie President Richard Florizone and Dalhousie Student Union President Kathleen Reid, the awards recognized a remarkable number of student leaders who have made profound contributions to the Dalhousie and Halifax communities and beyond.
“The groups and individuals being recognized are making the most of their time at Dal, seizing opportunities and opening themselves up to new experiences and perspectives,” said President Florizone in remarks at the event. “They are a reminder of what can be accomplished through creativity, passion and engagement.”
Throughout the night, the crowd was treated to a variety of student 
performances, including an inspiring song from award winner Gizelle de Guzman, and electrifying dances from the Dal Chinese Culture and Art Society, the Black and Gold Dance Team, and the Maritime Bhangra Group.
Students Cory Larsen and Lina El-Setouhy (pictured right) kept the evening moving smoothly as the night's two master of ceremonies, inserting their own light-hearted humour between awards.
In all, 65 student leaders and groups were recognized throughout the evening, earning themselves the renowned Impact Award pennant. The evening concluded with five students being honoured with the highest student award, the Board of Governors’ Award. Read about them here.
2017 IMPACT Award winners
RISING STAR AWARDS
Awarded 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.
Aisha Abawajy, Computer Science Halifax, NS
Melissa Beck, Science, Calgary, AB
Gizelle de Guzman, Management, Cremona, Alberta
Melina Markotjohn, Science, New Waterford, NS
Mariam Ragab, Computer Science, Halifax, NS
Sandra Sunil, Science, Charlottetown, PEI
Gizelle de Guzman, Rising Star and Faculty of Management Leadership award winner and peformer at the event.
RESIDENCE LIFE LEADER AWARDS
Awarded to current residence students in positions of leadership (such as a Resident Assistant) who have best demonstrated an exceptional level of maturity and professionalism. They encourage and empower students to engage in student life, they lead by example and work to improve the life of the residence hall.
James Caldwell, Management, Belledune, NB
Felicia Halliday, Science, Mission, BC
RESIDENCE LIFE IMPACT AWARDS
Awarded to current members of each residence hall community who have made outstanding contributions to the life of their residence community, led by example by encouraging and empowring residents to get involved, promote respect and create opportunities for their peers.
Alexandra Geist, Arts & Social Sciences, Etobicoke, ON
Brodie Parker, Science & Management, Red Deer, AB
Jorge Plaza, Engineering, Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
Sarah Savoy, Science, Campbell, NB
MOST IMPACTFUL RESIDENCE COUNCIL
Awarded to the residence council that has demonstrated consistency in event planning and delivery, has high participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other councils. This council also acts as a strong advocate for the individuals it serves.
Shirreff Hall Residence
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.
Martha Paynter, Health Professions, Halifax, NS
INTRAMURAL & SPORTS CLUBS LIVE WELL @ DAL AWARD
Awarded to a Dalhousie intramural or sports club participant who demonstrates significant commitment to Dalhousie’s intramural or sports club programs, exemplifies the role of intramurals and/or sports clubs in developing and promoting student engagement and fun on campus and demonstrates positive leadership and inspires others to get involved.
Jenna Hare, Science, Quebec City, PQ
TIGERS LIVE WELL @ DAL AWARD
Awarded 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.
Scarlett Smith, Health Professions, Wolfville, NS
STUDENT WELLNESS LIVE WELL @ DAL AWARD
Awarded 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).
Stefanie Machado, Health Professions, Abu Dhabi, UAE
GREEN AWARD
Awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to improving awareness on sustainability issues at Dalhousie. This person’s actions reflect their passion for the environment and inspire others to make positive change.
Caroline Merner, Arts & Social Sciences, Victoria BC
STUDENT ACTIVIST
Awarded to the Dalhousie student who demonstrates the highest level of passion and commitment to social justice, leads by example and inspires others to create change.
Sarah Baddeley, Law, Halifax, NS
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OF THE YEAR
Awarded 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.
Hasmeet Singh Chandok, Computer Science, Ludhlana, Punjab, India
STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in generating an innovative idea, concept, or business. The student uses their leadership, vision, and focus to make their ideas come to fruition.
Byung Jun Jang, Architecture and Planning, Bathurst, NB
DSU COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD FOR KING’S STUDENTS
Marianna Saunders, Science, Halifax, NS
TOP DSU COUNCIL MEMBER
Awarded to the councillor who has demonstrated a commitment to collaborative problem solving, active representation of their constituency, and initiative in the pursuit of innovation.
Aaron Prosper, Science, Eskasoni First Nation, NS
MOST IMPACTFUL GENERAL OR SPECIAL INTEREST SOCIETY
Awarded to a student society ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that caters to the general or niche interests of students, and has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Feminist Legal Association
MOST IMPACTFUL COMPETITIVE SPORTS SOCIETY
Awarded to a student society or sports club ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that has selective membership and/or competes in intramural leagues. Has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Football Club
MOST IMPACTFUL NON-COMPETITIVE SPORTS SOCIETY
Awarded to a student sports society or sports club ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that has open membership. Has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Badminton Club
MOST IMPACTFUL COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIETY
Awarded to a student society ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that is active in the Dalhousie community and beyond, providing services and addressing issues in the community. Has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie BEAM: Because Everyone’s Ability Matters
MOST IMPACTFUL CHARITABLE SOCIETY
Awarded to a student society ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that has made a significant contribution to a charity and has increased awareness at Dalhousie of a given charity or cause. This society has also demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, fundraising efforts and high attendance at their membership and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Golden Key Society
MOST IMPACTFUL LEVIED SOCIETY
Awarded to a Type 1 Levied student society ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Medical Campus Response Team
MOST IMPACTFUL CULTURAL/SPIRITUAL SOCIETY
Awarded 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.
Dalhousie African Students Association
MOST IMPACTFUL FACULTY SOCIETY
Awarded to the faculty society ratified with the DSU that has best demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Medical Students’ Society
MOST IMPACTFUL DEPARTMENTAL SOCIETY
Awarded to a student society ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that Has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of their membership and sets an example for other student societies.
Dalhousie Occupational Therapy Student Society
CERTIFICATE OF DISTINCTION
Awarded to students who demonstrate above average contributions to campus life over the course of a university career. Recipients have been active members of Dalhousie student societies, residence life, community engagement and other co-curricular involvement.
Gaurav Arora, Science, Yarmouth, NS
Jasveen Brar, Science, Redcliff, AB
Moamen Bydoun, Medicine, Halifax, NS
Valancy Cole, Health Professions, Riverview, NB
Selin Dogan, Management, Gaziantep, Turkey
Masuma Asad Khan, Science, Halifax, NS
Katie MacLellan, Science, Dartmouth, NS
Reginald Manzer, Management, Saint John, NB
Alicia Roy, Science, Ottawa, ON
Andra Sterea, Science, Halifax, NS
Matthew To, Medicine, Toronto, ON
Christopher Wieczorek, Arts and Social Sciences, Victoria, BC
GOLD D
Awarded to Dalhousie students to recognize an elite level of involvement and achievement in campus life over the course of their university career. These students have shown outstanding extracurricular contributions in the community.
Will Brien, Science, Sydney, NS
Kati George-Jim, Arts and Social Sciences, Victoria, BC
Natasha Larivee, Medicine, Saint John, NB
Molly MacDonald, Management, Stellarton, NS
Rachele Manett, Health Professions, Toronto, ON
Ashley Whelan, Science, Halifax, NS
FACULTY LEADERSHIP AWARDS
Awarded 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.
Faculty of Architecture and Planning
Sarah Bercu, Ste Adele, PQ
Arts and Social Sciences
Emma Cruddas, Dartmouth, NS
Computer Science
Yaser Alkayale, Syria
Gabriella Mosquera, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Engineering
Krista Prosser, Lawrencetown, NS,
Health Professions
Bridget Irwin, Nepean, ON
Law
Kacie Oliver, Lindsay, Ontario
Management
Gizelle de Guzman, Cremona, AB
Medicine
Antonios Diab, Halifax, NS
Marissa LeBlanc, Moncton, NB
Science
Meagen Wiederman, Millgrove, ON
LILLI JU AWARD
Awarded to a student who has exhibited the most significant lifetime achievement of outstanding contribution to university life.
Maike van Niekerk, Health Professions, Corner Brook, NL
LEVEL CHAN AWARD
Awarded to a student who has made the most outstanding contribution to student advocacy and academic justice.
Leah Carrier, Health Professions, Lillooet, BC
MALCOLM HONOUR AWARD
Awarded to a Dalhousie student to recognize an elite level of involvement and achievement in campus life over the course of a university career.
Alyson Petsche, Engineering, Hamilton, ON
DSU TEACHING AWARD
Awarded 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. Marcella Firmini, Arts & Social Sciences, Political Science