Every year members of the Kean community gather to recognize Kean University students who demonstrate leadership, possess academic success and care for the community. TheWho’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award Dinner took place on Thursday, April 21, 2016.
The dinner started at 6 p.m. in the Donald Conklin Conference Center on the sixth floor in the Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) Building.
Out of the thousands upon thousands of students of Kean University, there are 45 students who surpassed all others in both academics and community involvement. Congratulations to the 2016 recipients of the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges Award.
Who’s Who Award recipients of 2016
Photo courtesy of the Office of Student Affairs
There were several people who had a hand in the award dinner. The individuals responsible for organizing this year’s award dinner were Committee Members Dr. Stephen Kubow, Associate Vice President at Kean Ocean; Scott Snowden, Director of Center for Leadership and Service; Jabriel Roberts, Student Organization, which is the full-time undergraduate student government; and Lawrence Owens, Graduate and Part-time Student Council.
Kean University President Dawood Farahi kicked things off with giving the welcoming speech and congratulating the winners of the prestigious Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges award.
The dinner then proceeded with the distribution of the award. Janice Murray-Laury, Vice President for Student Affairs, was responsible for presenting the recipients their awards, addressing each recipient and commemorating their accomplishments.
There was also some live music for attendees to enjoy. Kean University student Sara Edreira-Fidalgo, who is majoring in music education, gave the astounding performance.
The Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges began in 1934 by a man by the name of Henry Pettus Randall, Jr. Randall started the program because he understood firsthand the financial difficulties some students have and cannot afford fees that come with honor society membership. He did not want any other student to forfeit academic recognition due to finances, hence the start of this honors program that does not charge.
To this day, the award program has progressed to include over 1,000 colleges and universities that partake in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
These award recipients were nominated by students, faculty and staff who believe the students deserved recognition of their collegiate success. Recipients were to have a strong presence on campus through membership of organizations and student groups, academic accomplishment, and community service. Nominees had to also have at least a GPA of 2.75 and in either in their upperclassmen or graduate school years.
For many years, Student Affairs has held this dinner to showcase on a grand level the recognition the recipients deserve, and will continue to do so.
