More than 150 students in Sint Maarten and the UK Track program were honored during the virtual Celebration of Academic Excellence on Friday, June 18. The once-a-semester ceremony recognizes various academic achievements, including the Dean’s List, Honor and Service Society induction, and department and scholarship awards.
Honor & Service Society Welcomes Newest Members
Thirty-six 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 January 2021 Dean’s List
One hundred and twenty-seven students earned marks high enough to make the January 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:
Sint Maarten Awards
- Anatomy, Embryology, & Histology – Bradley Peet
- Molecular and Cell Biology I – Courtney Johnson
- Molecular and Cell Biology II – Joseph Rogers and Brant Grisel
- Physiology I – Faisal Khowaja
- Physiology II – Amanda Kuruvilla
- Immunology (3rd semester) – Graeme Benzie
- Medical Microbiology – Jacqueline Nicholas
- Pathology I – Meagan Josephs
- Pathology II – Luna Emogene
- Neuroscience – Bushra Shehzad, Luna Emogene
- Pharmacology – Luna Emogene
- Behavioral Science – Elizabeth O’Grady
- Introduction to Clinical Medicine – Rachel Johnson
- Tarek Abi-Saab Peer Tutor Award – Sean McCormick
UK Track Awards
- Histology & Embryology – Xiyan Yang, Mustafa Ali, Emmanuel Atsivor
- MCB I – Xiyan Yang, Vedang Bhatt, Mustafa Ali
- Gross Anatomy – Xiyan Yang, Mustafa Ali, Emmanuel Atsivor
- Physiology I – Shah Harris Ahmad, Husnain Ali, Alana Alvarez-Amado
- Immunology & Infection – Shah Harris Ahmad, Husnain Ali, Alana Alvarez-Amado
- MCB II – Husnain Ali, Shah Harris Ahmad, Alana Alvarez-Amado
- Biostatistics – Alana Alvarez-Amado and Hoi Yin Sung
- Pathology I – Catherine Bubulj
- Physiology II – Catherine Bubulj
- Medical Microbiology – Catherine Bubulj
- Medical Pharmacology – Kashish Nathwani, Ahmad Wali, Lisa Gondo
- Neuroscience – Lisa Gondo, Carolina Muia, Kashish Nathwani, Sidesh Mohak
- Pathology II – Lisa Gondo, Kashish Nathwani, Manveer Mahal
- Medical Ethics and ICM – Dhir Gala, Summiya Qureshi, Umer Javaid
- Behavioral Science – Dhir Gala, Summiya Qureshi, Leila Pallante
- Clinical Excellence in ICM (Semester 5) – Hoa Dao
- Clinical Excellence in ICM (Semester 4) Manveer Mahal, Carolina Muia
- Clinical Excellence in ICM (Semester 2) Anjolaoluwa Ogunsina
- Clinical Excellence in ICM (Semester 1) Mustafa Ali, Alexander Wascher
Social Accountability Scholarship Award
Luna Emogene received the Social Accountability Scholarship, valued at $5,000, for her work in the Sint Maarten community. Born in Sint Maarten, Luna completed her undergrad in Canada and returned to Sint Maarten for medical school with the determination to be socially accountable to her own community. Luna has participated in multiple community engagement activities during her time in medical sciences, including: collecting food items for families affected by the pandemic in collaboration with SXM Action, participating in multiple Community Action Days, and developing evidence-based approaches to health needs through the Community Engagement certificate program.
Student Engagement Award
Breanna Barnard received the Student Engagement Scholarship Award, also valued at $5,000, for her service to AUC’s campus community and student leadership. Breanna, 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 the President of the Student Government Association (SGA), previously held SGA roles as Secretary and First Semester Class Representative, has served as AMSA Recruitment Director, co-founded the Anesthesiology Interest Group, and has organized university events such as the Research Symposium, Club Fair, and more.
Dr. Karl Stockhausen Student of the Semester Award
Luna Emogene also received the Student Judiciary Committee’s Dr. Karl Stockhausen Student of the Semester Award. The award is given to one student each semester who has a proven record of community service and who embodies the traits of the late AUC graduate, Dr. Karl Stockhausen.
Luna’s award includes a $5,000 grant which will benefit “All Hands on Deck,” a project she initiated with the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) in Sint Maarten. MHF’s vision is to grow continuity and consistency, prevention, psychiatric treatment, cure, and wellness to all of their clients. The “All Hands on Deck” project will provide carpentry skills training that is aimed to improve employability in the labor sector and by extension, quality of life. Participants will also be enrolled in the Mental Health Awareness Program, facilitated by AUC’s Psychiatric Interest Group, which will hold sessions focusing on self-awareness and mindfulness.
Faculty Appreciation Awards
This award, presented by the Honor and Service Society, recognizes professors whose presence benefits the university and its students. This semester’s Faculty Appreciation Awards went to:
- Dr. Mohamed “Zizo” Aziz (Sint Maarten)
- Dr. Gargi Soni (UK Track – Semester 1)
- Dr. Vaishali Khatri (UK Track – Semester 2)
- Dr. Mohammed Aleskandarany (UK Track – Semester 3)
- Ms. Jennifer Blakelidge (UK Track – Semester 4)
If you missed the ceremony, you can view a recording on Facebook or YouTube.
