The once-a-semester ceremony recognizes various academic achievements, including the Dean’s List, Honor and Service Society induction, and department and scholarship awards.
(Photo credit: Jessica Jahoda)
Honor & Service Society Welcomes Newest Members
Thirty students were officially inducted into the Honor and Service Society. To be eligible, students must be in their fifth semester, have a cumulative GPA of 85 or higher, and exhibit the qualities of leadership and excellence in both academics and service to the community.
Strong Representation on the May 2021 Dean’s List
One hundred and three students earned marks high enough to make the May 2021 Dean’s List. To qualify, students must carry a course load of at least 15 credits and earn a semester cumulative average of at least 87.
Department and Scholarship Awards Recognize Exceptional Student Performance
The event also gave special recognition to dozens of students who demonstrated excellence in the classroom, on campus, or in the community, including:
Anatomy, Embryology, & Histology
- Winner: Abdulrahman Baghdadi
- Runners-up: Kristen Pitts, Stephanie McCarty, Robert Weiss
Molecular and Cell Biology I
- Winner: Stephanie McCarthy
- Runners-up: Swetha Kamath, Robert Weiss
Molecular and Cell Biology II
- Winners: Peter Gameel and Courtney Johnson
- Runner-up: Daniel Lee
Physiology II
- Winner: Brant Grisel
- Runner-up: Clifford Davis
Medical Microbiology
- Winner: Todd Furr
Pathology I
- Winner: Todd Furr
- Runners-up: Faisal Khowaja and Brant Grisel
Pathology II
- Winner: Bishoy Mark Joseph
- Runners-up: Jacqueline Nicholas, Madeleine Yeakle, and Nastaran Biriji
Neuroscience
- Winner: George Matar & Jacqueline Nicholas
- Runners-up: Asilis Defran, Silvester Harrison, Amanda Kuruvilla
Medical Pharmacology
- Winner: Jacqueline Nicholas
- Runners-up: Damien Candelaria and Amanda Kuruvilla
Behavioral Science
- Winner: Luna Emogene
Introduction to Clinical Medicine
- Winner: Luna Emogene
Tarek Abi-Saab Peer Tutor Award
- Winner: Mohammad Abidali
Social Accountability Scholarship Award
Fadi Jamaleddin Ahmad received the Social Accountability Scholarship, valued at $5,000, for his work in the Sint Maarten community. Fadi has participated in multiple community engagement activities during his time in medical sciences, including partnering with the Sint Maarten AIDS Foundation to educate about HIV and participate in screenings and support sessions, volunteering during COVID-19 vaccine drives, helping with donation drives with the Freegan Foundation, joining cleanup efforts at Mullet Bay Beach, supporting Project H.E.L.P., and more.
Student Engagement Award
Victoria DeTrolio received the Student Engagement Scholarship Award, also valued at $5,000, for her service to AUC’s campus community and student leadership. Victoria, like previous award recipients, has participated in numerous activities that support and advance the university’s culture of care and collaboration. She has served as Student Government Association (SGA) President, Disaster Medicine Interest Group President, an Ultrasound/Harvey Lab teaching assistant, an Embryo/Histo Lab teaching assistant, and more.
Dr. Karl Stockhausen Award
The Dr. Karl Stockhausen Award is given by AUC to honor the legacy of an alumnus that dedicated so much of his heart to the communities in which he served. Recipients of the Dr. Karl Stockhausen Award receive a grant to invest in a Sint Maarten community organization and project of their choosing. Previous projects have benefited IDEAL Preschool, the White & Yellow Cross, HOPE Foster Home children, the Sickle Cell Foundation and more.
This term the award was given to Alexander (A.R.) Harris, who has pledged the grant to the St. Maarten AIDS Foundation. He and other students have collaborated with the AIDS Foundation in the past to support in community HIV testing days, as well as helping to teach education programs in secondary schools. With this grant the SXM AIDS Foundation is thrilled to be able to continue offering their HIV screening services and contraceptive distribution to the Sint Maarten community at no cost.
Faculty Appreciation Award
This award, presented by the Honor and Service Society, recognizes professors whose presence benefits the university and its students. This semester’s Faculty Appreciation Award went to Dr. Mohamed Aziz, Professor of Pathology.
For coverage of the October 1 UK Track Celebration of Academic Excellence, read more here.