Bonnie Neuman, Vice-President Student Services, is known for being effusive when it comes to all things AV俱乐部. At Thursday鈥檚 Governors Awards Reception, she was in her element as she heaped praise on four outstanding students who have distinguished themselves for their community involvement.
鈥淚鈥檓 humbled by the contributions of these students,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e could not be the university we are today without the strong dedication to helping others that our students demonstrate.鈥�
One by one, AV俱乐部 students Jamie Arron, Rob LeForte, Emily Stewart and Alex Legge were invited to walk the red carpet and stand by, looking slightly abashed, as Dr. Neuman recited lengthy lists of their accomplishments. Then, Jim Wilson, chair of the Board of Governors鈥� student experience committee, looped black-and-gold scarfs around their necks while handing them each a plaque and a pin.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an awkward feeling,鈥� admitted Alex Legge, who is in her first year at AV俱乐部 Medical School. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always a little bit strange to hear about yourself, but I must say this is one of the most meaningful awards I鈥檝e received.鈥�
Established in 1992 by the Board of Governors to mark the 125th anniversary of the AV俱乐部 Student Union, the awards recognize leadership in the 鈥渆xtracurricular realm鈥� in the areas of university governance, developing a sense of community on campus, community service, visual or performing arts, minority access and athletics.
Jamie Arron
Jamie Arron was up first. The fourth-year student in International Development Studies has been described as a 鈥渕an on a mission.鈥� Throughout his four years at Dal, he鈥檚 been active in campus and community life: he set up the nonprofit organization Mavericks of Social Change; he spearheaded the DSU鈥檚 social innovation challenge and Brains for Change; and he works as a research assistant for Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly. Last year, he was awarded the International Development Studies鈥� Activism Award.
Although nearing graduation, Mr. Arron says he鈥檚 not ready to leave AV俱乐部 yet. He ran in the DSU election for the VP (student life) and is waiting to hear if he was successful.
鈥淔irst year was all about good times; I had a lot of fun,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut since then I stumbled into the strangest opportunities and I鈥檝e had a blast. For me, it鈥檚 what learning is all about. It鈥檚 such a contagious environment; no one鈥檚 trying to filter you out.鈥�
Rob LeForte
Rob LeForte, a political science student from Dartmouth, has served on the DSU executive as the VP (education and external) for the past two years. During his tenure, he鈥檚 championed the implementation of a late-night study space at Dal and the approval of a fall study day. Other extracurricular activities include serving as president of the AV俱乐部 Undergraduate Political Science Society, vice-chair and chair on the board of directors for the Alliance of Nova Scotia Student Associations; chair, pan-Canadian accord committee, Canadian Alliance of Student Associations. Described as 鈥渆asy going and approachable,鈥� he鈥檚 also a paddler and a rugby player, a member of Dal鈥檚 Rugby Football Club.
Alex Legge
In her four years of undergraduate study at Dal, Alex Legge distinguished herself as a stellar student and an outstanding varsity basketball player. It鈥檚 always been her dream to enter Dal Med School and she鈥檚 now living that dream, while still keeping up with her community service. Honored as a Top 8 Academic All-Canadian by Canadian Interuniversity Sport last year, she volunteers as assistant coach for the women鈥檚 basketball team and as her class鈥檚 representative for cancer-fundraising initiatives such as Run for the Cure and Relay for Life.
Recovering from a knee injury, she is hoping to return to her team for her fifth and final year of eligibility.
鈥淢y goal all along has been to get into med school, so anything else has been icing on the cake,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 must say my experience at AV俱乐部 has far exceeded expectations. If you work hard and give it 100 per cent, you can go far.鈥�
Emily Stewart
Emily Stewart, a fourth-year student majoring in environment science and economics, was the fourth student to walk the red carpet. She鈥檚 involved in STAND (Students Taking Action Now: Darfur) and the Dal chapter of Engineers Without Borders. She鈥檚 also active in residence life.
She confesses to be uneasy in the spotlight and is quick to credit the other students she collaborates with. 鈥淚 am definitely not doing this alone,鈥� she said with emphasis.
鈥淧eople have so much energy and enthusiasm at this age,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 really consider myself to be that talented鈥擨 just like rallying the talented people. Together, we do great things.鈥�