The University of Guelph-Humber recently celebrated students’ successes in academics, leadership, and extracurricular activities at the 10th annual UofGH Awards Banquet. Over 90 students, faculty, alumni, parents, and donors gathered at the Humber College Seventh Semester Room to recognize the students’ achievements.
Students enjoyed a three-course dinner while spending time with their program heads, families, and other UofGH students. During the meal, University of Guelph-Humber Vice-Provost Dr. John Walsh presented approximately 45 awards.
“On behalf of the University of Guelph-Humber, I extended my sincerest congratulations to all of the award recipients,” says Dr. Walsh. “We have exceptional students here at the University, and our annual awards banquet is an opportunity for us to come together to recognize and celebrate their successes.”
Aditi Aggarwal, Student Financial Services Associate at UofGH, says the ceremony is a way for UofGH to honour students that goes beyond helping them financially. “The ceremony is a way for UofGH to say ‘we appreciate you, we appreciate what you do on campus,’ and by having this ceremony, students feel special for that day, they feel recognized. Instead of just getting money, they get a ceremony, they can bring their parents—it’s a proud moment for them, and gives them that boost to continue excelling.”
Cristina Morrone, who is completing fourth-year Business studies at UofGH, won the IGNITE Student Scholarship for Community Involvement. During her time at UofGH, she has played an active role in the Guelph-Humber DECA Society (including serving as President), and has taken on numerous volunteer roles—including as a case competition judge, mentor, and panelist. She has additionally worked as a Learning Services Assistant and Peer Health Educator at Humber College, and as a START Leader and Career Support Peer at UofGH.
“It felt good to win the award - I was really surprised and humbled when I was notified that I had won, and I immediately felt very thankful,” says Morrone. “Winning the IGNITE Student Scholarship for Community Involvement award means a lot to me. It represents that the hard work I have put in over the past four years has had an impact and is being recognized. Additionally, the scholarship will definitely help with paying back money for school.”
Rakhee Kakkar, who is also completing fourth-year Business studies at UofGH, is President of the Guelph-Humber Business Council, and says she was ecstatic to win the Gold Medallion for Leadership Excellence Award. “Winning the Gold Medallion for Leadership Excellence Award meant being honored for the numerous hours of leadership contributions to the University of Guelph-Humber,” she says. “Winning the award was a great validation of what I have achieved, and I am honoured to be recognized. I feel proud, and it gives me added confidence to continue with my personal commitment to make a positive difference.”
Both Kakkar and Morrone say they have had a great experience at UofGH.
“My experience at UofGH has been an incredible one! With its camaraderie-building environment, UofGH has allowed me to develop not only academic skills, but professional skills such as leadership, time-management, listening, and presentation skills,” says Kakkar. “I have become a well-rounded person with the support of the University of Guelph-Humber’s professors, advisors and student life coordinators. Throughout my experience, I have learnt that being involved in the school community as President of the Business Council, it is important to be a role model guiding others in the right direction and to inspire others with positive energy and encouragement.”
“I have had an amazing experience at UofGH,” agrees Morrone, who says she has had the opportunity to participate in various national and international case competitions – including the CFO Case Study Competition in South Africa, the Network of International Business Schools competition in Guatemala, and the Ethics in Action Case Competition in Halifax. “With these experiences, I have also given back to new teams attending these national and international case competitions by offering personal advice and providing mentorship. Additionally, I have dedicated a lot of time to DECA and personally mentoring students on how to enhance their business acumen and presentation skills.”
Learn more about scholarships and awards at UofGH.
