Each year the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) leads the campus in the celebration of the work of graduate and professional students by hosting a week of activities across campus designed specifically for graduate students. Graduate Student Appreciation week, which was held this year from Sunday March 30 through Friday April 4, included a barbecue, poker night, speed dating, and an achievement awards luncheon to recognize outstanding graduate students as well as their mentors and influential support staff. The achievement awards recognize not only the research, teaching, and leadership of outstanding graduate students, but also the professors and support staff who go above and beyond the call of duty to help graduate students achieve their professional goals. GPSC President Catherine Neish stated that “The awards recognize the outstanding efforts put in by faculty and staff to help students on the path to their degree.

This year Dr. Lise Leibacher was one of three professors on campus to receive the award of “Outstanding Mentor of Graduate and Professional Students.” Dr. Samuel Yalkowsky from the College of Pharmacy and Dr. Tanya Schmader of the Psychology Department were also recipients of this award. Other awards included “Outstanding Research Assistant,” “Outstanding Teaching Assistant,” and “Outstanding Support Staff.” In order to be considered for an award, an individual must receive a letter of nomination by at least one individual on campus. According to Catherine Neish “Nominators submit letters explaining why their nominee deserves the award, and a panel of student and faculty judges decide which nominee best exemplifies the award category. During the awards luncheon GPSC Vice President Kathleen Corcoran emphasized how rewarding it was for her to serve as a judge and to read the nomination letters. In the future the GPSC will continue to honor exceptional campus leaders by hosting this exciting annual event.

Sarah Mosher