Social Science students get help from their own
By Communications Staff
March 23, 2009
Eleven outstanding student leaders in the Faculty of Social Science have received recognition and a financial boost for their involvement in the campus or broader community, thanks to Social Science students from previous years.
The first recipients of the Social Science Students’ Council Leadership Awards of $1,450 were honoured last month. They were: Benjamin Bigio, David Brown, Jade Chislett, Marissa Daniels, Justine Dol, Gregg French, Jesse Gardner, Laura Harris, Darshan Patel, Matthew Reid, and Emily Rowe.
Last year, the Social Science Students’ Council, in consultation with the Dean's office, endowed $375,000 from the Council's Student Donation Fund which had accumulated over the years, to create eleven scholarships in perpetuity.
L to R: Jesse Gardner, Matthew Reid, Emily Rowe (Front), David Brown (Rear) Gregg French, Dean Timney, Associate Dean (Academic & Undergraduate Services) Finegan, Jade Chislett (Rear), Justine Dol, Laura Harris and Darshan Patel. Unable to attend the celebration were SSSC Award winners Benjamin Bigio and Marissa Daniels.
Social Science Dean Brian Timney helped with the initiative and says these awards are one more example of the way Western students are willing to help other Western students.
“These are different from the regular donor-supported awards because they are coming from the students. This is just another part of a continuation of community-building we have in the Faculty.”
Matt Kington, VP Finance, The University Students’ Council, was Chair of the Social Science Students’ Council last year and helped develop the awards.
“So many students within the faculty, and throughout Western, are heavily involved in a multitude of extra-curricular activities,” he notes. “It’s crucial to provide support and recognition for these individuals, not only to support their initiatives but also to show students that financial support for involvement is available.”
The awards are available to full-time undergraduate students registered in the Faculty of Social Science in the previous year and who are currently registered in Social Science in their second, third or fourth year, with a minimum 70 per cent average. Students are selected based on their demonstrated leadership and participation in extra-curricular activities on campus and/or at the local, national and international levels.
Laura Harris says she is grateful and honoured to be one of the first chosen to receive the leadership award.
“I love all the extra-curricular and volunteer work I partake in, but it is especially nice to be formally recognized for making a difference,” she says. “It’s important, I believe, to leave a lasting positive impact on the school and surrounding community. We could all do better to focus on helping others who may not have the privilege of attending such a prestigious school. As students we tend to get wrapped up in our course work and forget to step outside and experience the world around us. I am a much happier and productive student because of the time I dedicate in the service to others.”
Fellow recipient, Gregg French says he hopes the establishment of the award will encourage students to become more active on campus and throughout the London community.
“Being extremely involved sometimes does not leave some students with time to acquire part-time jobs while they attempt to do their school work and remain involved in the community, this award on the simplest level, eases the financial burden to some degree.”
For more about the Social Science Students’ Council Leadership Awards, visit: http://deansoffice.ssc.uwo.ca/leadershipAward.html.
