AV俱乐部

Far from last weekend鈥檚 Oscar hoopla, four AV俱乐部 students walked their own red carpet on Wednesday; not to model the latest fashions, but to put their own generosity and altruism on display.

But it鈥檚 tough to be in the spotlight and hear your accomplishments recited in front of a crowd. More than one of Governor Award winners responded with a modest, 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor just to be nominated.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 nice, but slightly embarrassing too,鈥� says Andrew Sullivan, one of four AV俱乐部 students awarded the prestigious honor at a reception yesterday in the Rowe Management Building. Other student leaders honored were Graham Carey, Jason Pooley and Jessica Roy.

Graham Carey

Alexis Pooley聽

Jessica Roy聽

Andrew Sullivan聽

The Governor鈥檚 Awards were established in 1992 to mark the 125th anniversary of the AV俱乐部 Student Union. They recognize outstanding students involved in university governance, community service, athletics and leadership.

After introducing each student in turn and listing their extensive accomplishments, President Tom Traves stopped to catch his breath and reflect. 鈥淲e are really blessed at AV俱乐部 to attract such gifted and giving students,鈥� he said.

First up the red carpet was Graham Carey, a fourth-year science student majoring in chemistry and physics. From the Head of St. Margaret鈥檚 Bay, Mr. Carey balances academic excellence (he was AV俱乐部鈥檚 nominee for a Rhodes Scholarship) with outstanding leadership and a strong commitment to sustainability. He鈥檚 also active in the residence community at AV俱乐部 and serves as a senior residence assistant in Mini Res.

鈥淚 love being in an environment where I can work and live here at AV俱乐部 and help other students make the transition to university life,鈥� he said.

With her brother away on a co-op placement in New York City, Alexis Pooley was happy to accept a Governor鈥檚 Award on behalf of her big bro Jason, a masters of architecture student. Afterwards, she confirmed everything Dr. Traves said about Jason, who was described as enthusiastic, energetic, conscientious and reliable. Some of his activities at AV俱乐部 include being a senior residence assistant, president of the Architecture Students Association, an organizer with GuluWalk and a volunteer with Camp Triumph.

鈥淓verything they said about him is his character through and through,鈥� she remarked. 鈥淗e鈥檚 so inspiring and just wonderful.鈥�

Jessie Roy, recently returned from Mississippi where she worked on a Habitat for Humanity build with 150 other Dal undergrads, was the third recipient of a Governor鈥檚 Award. Besides her involvement with Dal Habitat, the fourth-year biology student is the founder of Dal SOS, a student society which organizes tutoring sessions and raises money for charity.

鈥淚t鈥檚 hard to be the centre of attention,鈥� admitted Ms. Roy, from Canning, N.S, adding that she works with many other students to be able to do everything she does. 鈥淎t the same time though, listening to all that, it gives me a chance to say, 鈥榃ow, I did do a lot at Dal!鈥� I can鈥檛 believe I did all that stuff.鈥�

Andrew Sullivan is hoping good things come in threes. As well as winning a Governor鈥檚 Award, the environmental engineering student picked up his iron ring last Saturday. Could an AUS basketball title be next? A member of the Dal Tigers basketball team, he鈥檚 bound for Sydney, Cape Breton as AUS defending champs.