For the first time since 2019, Dalhousie’s Impact Awards were held in person to celebrate students and student groups who make an outstanding impact on our community. Students, faculty, staff, families, and friends gathered on Thursday evening (March 23) for the 12th annual event, which had been held virtually since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Ìý
In addition to the dinner and performances by PhD student Shanglun Li and the DalDance Society, 37 awards were handed out to students and student groups to recognize their contributions and impacts both within the Dalhousie community and beyond. The university’s Board of Governors’ Awards were also handed out during the ceremony.
“Student leadership is the lifeblood of a rich, engaged, and caring university community. The students we celebrated tonight are exemplary of the principles we strive for as a community. They have made meaningful contributions to our campus, regional, and even international communities,� said Dr. Rick Ezekiel, vice-provost, student affairs. “I’d like to both thank and congratulate all the winners tonight on their many accomplishments, service to the Dalhousie community and our broader society, and demonstration of the caliber of excellence within our student community at Dal.�
The full list of award winners is below and can also be found on the Impact Awards website.
Information about the Excellence in Student Leadership Awards, which are handed out to Dalhousie’s Agricultural Campus students, can be found on the campus’ website.
Winners
Residence Life Leadership AwardsÌý
Awarded to current residence students in positions of leadership who have best demonstrated an exceptional level of maturity and professionalism. They encourage and empower students to engage in student life, they lead by example, and they work to improve the life of the residence hall.ÌýÌý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Seif ELBayomi, Computer Science, Cairo, EgyptÌý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Evangelina Hambly, Science, Victoria, British ColumbiaÌý
Residence Life Impact Award
Presented to a current member of a residence hall community who has made outstanding contributions to the life of their residence community, led by example by encouraging and empowering residents to get involved, promoted respect, and created opportunities for their peers.
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Sarah MacCallum, Science, Miramichi, New BrunswickÌýÌý
Community Service AwardÌý
This award recognizes an outstanding off-campus student leader who has demonstrated significant leadership, commitment, and service aimed at improving the community in which they live.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Mikayla Boucher, Science, Dartmouth, Nova ScotiaÌý
Most Impactful General/Special Interest SocietyÌý
Awarded to a student society ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that caters to the general or niche interests of students and has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery or programming or events, high student participation, and attendance of their membership, and sets an example for other student societies.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Dalhousie Outdoors Society
Most Impactful Sports SocietyÌý
Awarded to a student society, club, or intramural league. The recipient must demonstrate consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Dalhousie & King’s Bike SocietyÌýÌý
Varsity Athlete AwardÌýÌý
Awarded to a varsity student athlete who demonstrates significant contributions to the community, has increased awareness at pilipiliÂþ» of a given charity or cause, demonstrates positive leadership, and inspires others to get involved.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Hannah Trites, Health, Fredericton, New BrunswickÌýÌý
Student Wellness AwardÌý
Awarded to a student who best demonstrates leadership in promoting and contributing to a healthy campus, and is a role model for health and wellness both in practice and by impacting others to lead a healthy lifestyle (demonstrated through peer-to-peer education, volunteering, service learning, global outreach, or any activity that enhances quality of life and development).Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Linh Phuong Tran, Science, Hanoi, VietnamÌýÌý
Rising Star AwardsÌý
Awarded to first-, second-, and third-year students who have demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment, leadership, creativity, and initiative to the Dalhousie Student Union, as well as the campus and community at large.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Janani Venkat, Science, Bedford, Nova ScotiaÌýÌý
Most Impactful Charitable/Community Based SocietyÌý
Awarded to a student society ratified with the DSU that has made a significant contribution to a charitable cause within the Dalhousie community or beyond. The society has demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Dalhousie Medical Campus Response TeamÌýÌý
Sustainability AwardÌý

Awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to improving awareness on sustainability issues at pilipiliÂþ». This person's actions reflect their passion for the environment and inspire others to make positive change.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Samantha Howard, Management, Toronto, OntarioÌýÌý
Student Activist AwardÌý
Awarded to a student who demonstrates passion and commitment to social justice and action, leads by example, organizes students in an inclusive way, acts with integrity, raises awareness, and inspires others to create change.ÌýÌýÌý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý George Mitchell, Arts & Social Sciences, Toronto, OntarioÌýÌý
Most Impactful Sustainability-Oriented SocietyÌý
Awarded to a society that demonstrated positive impacts on sustainability issues through raising awareness, programming, education, advocacy, and student engagement. Aspects of sustainability can include but are not limited to environmental, social, and/or economic impacts.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Your Environmental Sustainability Society (YESS)Ìý
International Student of the Year AwardÌý
Awarded to an international student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership, shown engagement in the community, inspired others, and is a respected voice for international students at pilipiliÂþ».Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Emilia Cordova, Science, Guayaquil, EcuadorÌýÌý
Most Impactful Emerging SocietyÌý
Awarded to a society that is relatively new or was revived after inactivity. This society has demonstrated positive impacts through their programming, education, student engagement and/or community building. This award also recognizes initiatives taken by a group of students to ensure the safety of the student body on- and off-campus.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý pilipiliÂþ» Hidden Curriculum
Student Entrepreneur of the Year AwardÌý
Awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in generating an innovative idea, concept, or business. The student uses their leadership, vision, and focus to make their ideas come to fruition.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý David Hodgson, Medicine, Halifax, Nova ScotiaÌýÌý
Most Impactful Cultural/Spiritual SocietyÌý
Presented to a student society ratified with the Dalhousie Student Union that has raised awareness, engaged students, and increased representation of a culture, religion, or spirituality on campus. It demonstrates consistency in event planning and delivery, high participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Dalhousie Muslim Students AssociationÌýÌý
Student Employee AwardÌý
Presented to a student employee who has demonstrated leadership and fostered community spirit in their work on campus. This student will be employed in any capacity on campus and, through their work, contributes to the Dalhousie student experience.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Ashley Francis, Medicine, Bedford, Nova Scotia
Most Impactful Faculty/Departmental SocietyÌý
Awarded to a faculty or departmental society ratified with the DSU that has best demonstrated consistency in planning and delivery of programming or events, high student participation and attendance of its membership, and sets an example for other student societies.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Dalhousie Commerce SocietyÌýÌý
Dalhousie Student Union Gold D’sÌý
Awarded to Dalhousie Students to recognize an elite level of involvement and achievement in campus life over the course of their university career. These students have shown outstanding extracurricular contributions in the community.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Jack Killeen, Science, Halifax, Nova ScotiaÌýÌý
Dalhousie Student Council Member AwardÌý
Awarded by the Dalhousie Student Union to the Councillor who has demonstrated a commitment to collaborative problem solving, active representation of their constituency, and initiative in the pursuit of innovation.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Meredith Brison-Brown, Science, Halifax, Nova ScotiaÌýÌý
Most Impactful Social Justice AwardÌý
Awarded to a society that upholds social justice principles by its actions. With equitable practices, the society has demonstrated transformative impacts on the community on- and/or off-campus through raising awareness, programming, education, advocacy, student engagement and/or student action.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý DalOUTÌýÌý
Faculty Leadership AwardsÌý
Awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing for each Dalhousie faculty. Part-time students are eligible for this award. These students exemplify the highest level of passion for their discipline, take initiative in creating new opportunities, and encourage their peers to engage in faculty initiatives. Faculty Leadership Impact Award winners positively impact other students in their faculty and the reputation of their faculty at pilipiliÂþ» outside of the classroom.
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Agriculture: Gabby Schenkels, Whitney, New Brunswick
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Architecture & Planning: Tim Jacobs, Calgary, Alberta
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Arts & Social Sciences: Keiren McClelland, Ottawa, OntarioÌý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Computer Science: Bhavya Kapoor, Delhi, IndiaÌý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Dentistry: Sierra Lovell, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Engineering: Jesse Shengji Li, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Health: Mohamed Nashnoush, Tripoli, Libya
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Law: Jason Stephanian, Toronto, Ontario
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Management: Owen Berry, Guelph, Ontario
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Medicine (Medical Student): Gaurav Arora, Amherst, Nova Scotia
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Medicine (Graduate Student): Jasmine Mah, Brampton, Ontario
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Science: Aaron Judah, Toronto, Ontario
Outstanding Graduate Student AwardÌý
Awarded to a graduate student in either a professional or research program. These students exemplify the highest level of passion for their discipline and are engaged in initiatives that improve the quality of the graduate student experience at pilipiliÂþ». Outstanding Graduate Student Award winners positively impact other graduate students with activities that extend beyond their academic programs.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Mitch Archibald, Graduate Studies, Porters Lake, Nova ScotiaÌý
Outstanding Student of Distinction AwardÌý
Awarded to a student that has shown an elite level of consistent campus involvement over the course of their university career, and has made outstanding and impactful extracurricular contributions in the community either through student advocacy, academic justice, leadership, or other student involvement. This award is based on the academic and community accomplishments of Dalhousie alumni Lillu Ju, Level Chan, and Malcolm Honour.Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Sam Cutcliffe, Science, Charlottetown, Prince Edward IslandÌýÌý
President’s Awards for the Advancement of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA)Ìý
This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of Dalhousie students or student groups that work consistently to promote an inclusive campus community at Dal and demonstrate an understanding that a commitment to EDIA means focusing on dismantling the unjust structures that systematically marginalize or exclude some while privileging and advantaging others.Ìý Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Dr. Jennifer Lane, Nursing, Bedford, Nova ScotiaÌý(2021-2022 Award Recipient)Ìý
·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Dalhousie Black Medical Students' AssociationÌý(2022-2023 Award Recipient)Ìý
