AUK Holds 10th Annual Awards Night

The American University of Kuwait held its 10th Annual Awards Night last week to celebrate students' academic achievements and extra-curricular involvement during the past academic year. The Awards Night is also the time when students recognize AUK faculty and staff for their support and encouragement throughout the year. The event was coordinated by the Division of Student Affairs-Department of Student Life, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business and Economics, and hosted by faculty member, Dr. Chris Ohan.

The event commenced with a welcome note from AUK President, Nizar Hamzeh, who acknowleged the awardees not only for their "excellent scholastic records but also for their willingness to seek a balance between their academic and co-curricular and extra-curricular activities." He also stressed that competing at a high level, or volunteering time in a club or athletic capacity, while also undertaking university study can present its own challenges. "This is not always easy to strike," said President Hamzeh "But, the students receiving awards tonight have proven that with balance comes great success both on and off the field, on and off the classroom."

The Awards Night honors students, faculty and staff in different categories of performance. The top three University awards, which are considered the highlights of the event, are the Student Affairs' Award, the Founders' Award and the President's Award. They are intended to recognize students who stand out in the crowd and embody the values and expectations of citizens of the AUK community. Students in these categories are nominated by peers, faculty and staff, interviewed by committee and recommended to the Vice President for Student Affairs and President for final selection. The recipients of these awards were students who have shown exceptional academic achievement and involvement in activities outside of the classroom among other criteria.

Other award categories include;

University Service Awards which honor student employees, students involved in service and student athletes for their hard work and dedication.

Academic Achievement Awards awarded by the College Deans, with support from Department Chairs, for outstanding academic performance for the academic year were

Student Life Awards which honors students and student organizations who made significant contributions to life at AUK. Members of the Student Life department and Professor Hala Al Najjar, Coordinator of the Education Program presented awards to students this year.

Student Government Association Awards, presented to faculty and staff members nominated by students as the most innovative, supportive, and humorous as well as best mentors.

The Vice-President of Student Affairs Dr. Carol Ross-Scott commented on the ceremony saying, "AUK Student Awards night celebrates the engagement of students in activities outside the classroom," emphasizing that student programs and activities such as student media, athletics, curriculum related organizations, service clubs, and leadership bring the university experience to life. "Involvement compels our students to push the boundaries of excellence, academically, and in extra-curricular activities. We want our students to be better prepared to serve the competitive, global society and awards night is where we highlight their achievements of the academic year," said Dr. Ross-Scott

For the past decade, AUK has been arming its students with the most powerful and effective tool, the liberal arts education. One of the fundamental tenants of such an education is not only one's intellectual development but also personal growth and development, traits which are often enhanced when students are engaged in college life outside the classroom. Whether in leadership positions, participating in academic societies, athletics or in volunteer service, extra- and co-curricular engagement propels student readiness for life after college. This Awards' night celebrates this principle of excellence by recognizing our students ability to excel inside and outside of the classroom

Award Categories and Recipients

Founders' Award: May Omran
President's Award: Sally Zaghloul
Student Affairs' Award: May Omran

University Service Awards

University Service Awards

Student Employee Awards

Outstanding Athlete Award

Sarah Al-Qenaei

IEP Academic Achievement Award

Shafeeqah Hussain
Abdelaziz Al-Mesbah
Aref Froutan
Elisa Verrazzo

Academic Achievement Awards

College of Arts and Sciences

College of Business and Economics

SGA Student Body Awards

Student Life Awards

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 14th May 2014

Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2014