The American University of Kuwait Hosts 14th Annual Awards Night Ceremony

Organized by the American University of Kuwait's (AUK) Office of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs, the renowned and highly anticipated event is one of the major yearly AUK events, which bring together a large number of students to be recognized and awarded for their outstanding efforts and achievements in extracurricular activities.

The red carpet event saw intense competition this year between the nominees, making it a close tie for many of the nominated and shortlisted students.

The event commenced with a welcome speech by AUK President, Dr. Tim Sullivan and the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, and was attended by the President's Cabinet, AUK's Deans, The Division of Student Affairs, student nominees and awardees, and their families and friends.

The evening was held in the AUK auditorium which was decorated with state-of-the-art lighting and setup giving it a luxurious ambiance, accompanied by live music by the professional violinist Nancy Safady, and ended with a lavish dinner buffet.

"Every year, we come together to celebrate those students who make life at AUK the vibrant color it is known for. This year, we have added our distinguished alumni to the celebration, in recognition of the role they continue to play in our community. Awards Night is a celebration of these students and alumni for all their accomplishments and a chance to recognize those who have gone the extra mile to grow and to give back to the AUK community. Congratulations to all nominees and winners! Earning a nomination, certificate or award is a huge accomplishment and you should be proud of the hard work and dedication that you have displayed at AUK. We are all very proud," said Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, Dean of Student Affairs.

The ceremony honors 5 Student Affairs Awards to one student and one Alumnus each:

Outstanding Accomplishment Award - Omar Khalil | Omar Al-Hussainan '11
Leader of the Year Award - Ali Al-Qallaf | Leen Al-Mandil '17
Humanitarian Award - Ahmad Odeh | Nourah Al-Sulaiman '16
Outstanding Involvement Award - Nathalie Matta | Samer Anou Zeid '16
Lifelong Learner Award - Hadeel AlShemmari | Bashayer Al-Zayed '15

In acknowledging the role of clubs and organizations at AUK, Awards Nights chooses the following:

Club of the Year - Fikir Club
Program of the Year - Al-Koot Week (IRC, AUKMUN, IEEE, AISEC, Billiards, Fikir & Student Council)
Most Improved Club of the Year - Desi Club
Exceptional member of the Year - Fatemah Ahmadi
Favorite Voice of AUK Issue of the Year - Issue # 4, Feb 2018
Best Student Council Program of the Year - Influential Seminars

It is notable that this year, 7 clubs and organizations came together to hold an event during the National Liberation Week that included a beautifully orchestrated week of celebration with traditional music, a flash mob, flying kites with the colors of the Kuwaiti flag, some games and presentations related to the liberation, history and innovation of Kuwait and its talent.

A total of 45 student employees were also honored on stage, from a total of 129 student employees at AUK:

Farah AbdelMajid | Farah Nabaa | Muslim Taha | Omar Khalil | Lara Jadayel | Farah Al-Bader | Mejren Al Loighani | Merna Abdelhamed | Ayman Kandil | Shahad Al-Mousa | Mona Singer | Sumaiya Esnoussi | Jumana Khalil | Tereaz Ghanem | Nadine Krayem | Samaa Al-Hadidi | Dima Jadayel | Joana Shihadeh | Rawan Belal | Dana Kabaloui | Sara AlMallah | Sondos Saoud | Sara Babazadeh | Lubna Amin (2) | Yara Al-Quorashy | Meerna Owaineh | Noor Salah | Nazigh Quraishi | Badir Ali | Reham Kablaoui | Hind Al-Jouhari(2) | Hashim Murtada | Wasmeia Al-Rashidi | Mohammed Alawi | Beshoy Karas | Ahmad Odeh | Vanessa Josaghian | Farah Hilal(2) | Manar Atiyeh| Rawan Al-Fouzan (2) | Mohammad Taqi | Arshi Syed | Dina Zabin | Ameera Akhras | Rafia Tabaa |

This year also saw our athletic excellence when AUK teams won 2nd place in Women's Volleyball, 2nd place in Women's Futsal tournament:

Outstanding Athlete Award for various Sports - Vanessa Josaghian | Mejren Al Loghani | Nouf Al Bahar | Imran Garrouch | Mona Abdou | Youssif Gharrib | Mohammad Aleedan
Male Athlete of the Year - Imran Garrouch
Female Athlete of the Year - Deemah Al Selmi

The event ended with the two most prestigious awards-the Wolfpack Award and the President's Award. The Dean of Student Affairs presented the Wolfpack Award to one student and one alumnus, an award that is given to the student and alumnus who have demonstrated a remarkable ability to balance academic life with a high degree of involvement in extra and co-curricular activities. In addition to their university involvement and promotion of a positive image of the AUK student within greater society, nominees must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average.

Yara Al-Quraishy won the student Wolfpack award for her ambitious and intelligent contributions to the AUK community, and for her participation in a competition aimed to improve marine life via technology. She has also participated and led the TEDxAUK program at AUK that aimed to spread inspiration and humility.

Alumnus, Dr. Abdulrahman AlFarhan was honored as the Alumni Wolfpack Award winner for being a true example of the AUK wolf pack spirit. Upon completing his PhD, he returned to AUK to teach while continuing to serve as a role model to students at AUK. Abdulrahman is always there to support clubs, students, athletes and fellow alumni. He is very close to his alma mater and is a true example of the AUK wolf pack spirit, and is the first AUK graduate to earn a PhD.

The President's award was given to one student and one alumnus for their outstanding academic achievements along with leadership and commitment to the greater good of the University, while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.50 during his/her time at AUK.

AUK student Ali Kelkawi received the President's Award for his academic excellence and his many contributions to AUK from starting as a student employee, to running as President for the Student Council. As well as for his humanitarian efforts in Kuwait and internationally, and for his further involvement as an athlete in the volleyball team.

Alumna, Fatmah Al Qadfan also received the President's Award for being the first drama therapist in Kuwait. Through the dramatic arts, she strives to raise awareness about the power of the arts in the healing process. She was recently a speaker at the TEDxAUK talk that was held on campus, where she spoke about her inspiring experience. A graduate of 2008, Fatma continues to give back and support others through her journey of self-discovery, healing and therapy.
 

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