The first Outstanding Scholars Gala and Annual Awards Ceremony hosted family, friends, peers, and colleagues May 3 to celebrate the achievements of graduating students and award winners from the program, which provides undergraduate students with six paid research placements, peer mentorship initiatives, scholarship advising, social events, leadership curriculum, and publishing opportunities.

“I am delighted to see the work of the Outstanding Scholars students and faculty celebrated. They are the underpinning framework for much of the undergraduate research work at the University of Windsor,” says program lead Tim Brunet.

The gala was organized by the Outstanding Scholars Gala Committee and the Outstanding Scholars Student Council.

Council president Hannah Ferasol, an integrative biology major, says the ceremony is a new tradition she hopes to see grow.

“I am inspired every day by my peers and was so glad to be able to help plan an event that celebrated their achievements,” she says. “I look forward to the upcoming year to continue this new celebration of excellence.”

Awards conferred at the event include:

• Outstanding Scholars candidate – Victorieuse Sambao
• Second-year student – Nicole Vanier
• Third-year student – Rohan Talukdar
• Fourth-year student – Tim Igbokwe
• Student research award – Eeesha Atikkuke
• Leadership award – Jeannette Vanier
• Alumni Recognition award – Anita Hu
• Outstanding Principal investigator award – Rebecca Major
• Research Mentor award – faculty member Ofelia Jianu and student Alan Cieslukowski
• Peer Mentor award – Hanan Zahra