This evening, in an unprecedented event, the Class of 2006 will commemorate third-year students who embody aspects of excellence within the University.
According to Kate Haffey, a member of the Third-Year Council Outreach Committee, selected third-year students, faculty member and administrators will gather in Alumni Hall for a dinner celebrating the students' contributions to the community. Nominated by classmates, friends, professors and coworkers, the honorees distinguished themselves in a variety of ways, Haffey said.
Of the more than 100 nominations, about 70 students were selected for their extraordinary presence within the school, Haffey said.
"We saw everything from leadership in Sustained Dialogue to intramural sports to the hospital to AAA to the Guide Service," she said. "It was a giant list."
Despite their differences, a common quality of improving the environment at the University unites the honorees, Haffey said.
Criteria for selection included leadership and character, selfless commitment, and integrity and sincerity of character, according to the Third-Year Council Web site.
The idea for the dinner, which will feature remarks from Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Lampkin, came from certain Third-Year Council members, Haffey said.
"We decided it was time to actually appreciate the people who do great things," Haffey said.
Third-year College student Emily Pedneau will be recognized tonight. She said she is dedicated to Alpha Phi Omega, the co-ed service fraternity, as well as her role as the Boosters program director for Madison House and her membership in Special Friends, a service organization.
The dinner is "a great way to get to meet people," Pedneau said.
Third-year College student Nancy Martin, one of the chairs of Brothers United Celebrating Knowledge and Success and a Sustained Dialogue moderator, said she agreed the dinner will be a great way to acknowledge students.
"It's a nice gesture," Martin said. "And it's nice to know that you're noticed."
Third-year Commerce student Phil Jackson, one of the honorees, said he is grateful for his nomination.
"Considering the number of students and the magnitude of students here, I'm extremely humbled," Jackson said.
The selection came as a surprise, Jackson said, who directs Oluponya Records, a student-run company that records groups ranging from Black Voices to Glee Club, which he started during his first year at the University. Jackson, a peer advisor and tutor for the Black Student Alliance as well as a saxophonist at a local Baptist church, said he commended the Third-Year Council, especially third-year Engineering student Brooke Yamakoshi, for the group's efforts.
"The initiative of the dinner itself is more important than being nominated," Jackson said.
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