ASFA Awards are a first

 

The first annual ceremony to award ASFA Bursaries took place on March 18 in the seventh-floor rooms of the Hall Building, and it was a happy celebration. ASFA stands for the Arts and Science Federation of Associations, which comprises 30 student groups, and is about three years old now.

Dean Martin Singer was delighted to attend this initiative by students, which awarded 12 bursaries of $300 for academic achievement and contributions to student life.

VP Administration Colleen Ryan said, ÒThe ASFA executive came up with the idea to recognize the dedication and commitment of the three founding members of the Arts & Science Federation of Associations: Riccardo Filiponne, Yasmin Gardaad and Magali Merkx-Jacques.Ó

The other members of the ASFA executive are Farouk Janmohammed (VP Internal), Peter Schiefke (VP Finance), Bana Qabbani (VP Communications) and Tiffanie Caracassis (VP External).

Eight bursaries that were awarded to exceptional students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Half the bursaries were awarded to students studying in arts programs, with the other half awarded to students studying in the sciences.

The recipients of awards for outstanding contributions to the Concordia community were evenly divided between students in arts and those in the sciences, but unfortunately, no science students applied.

The students from arts programs were Stuart Letovsky (Early Childhood and Elementary Education), Bilal Hamideh (Political Science), Craig Desson (Communication Studies) and Ezra Winton (Political Science and Communication Studies).

The winners for academic achievement were chosen for their cumulative GPA as well as for their number of credits completed. Candidates had to be registered in an Honours, Specialization, or Major Program in the Faculty, be registered in at least one course in the Faculty of Arts & Science at the time of application, have completed at least 24 credits in their program of study, and have obtained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.9.

In arts, the winners were Lee Crookes (Honours Geography, Specialization Human Environment), who had a GPA of 4.20; Jordan Caning (Creative Writing and Community and Ethnic Studies). 4.0: Timothy Baker (Major: Sociology, Minor: Creative Writing), 4.07; and Olena Bykova (Honours: Human Environment, Minor: Langue fran�aise), 4.19.

In science, the winners were Ana Igric (Exercise Science), GPA: 4.23; Oscar Venter (Specialization: Environmental Science), 4.19; Kathryn Lynne Zbarsky (Exercise Science), 3.92; Michelle Yeates (Exercise Science), 3.91.