Providence, R.I.--More than 20 Providence College students and student-organizations were honored for their service at the 14th annual Student Recognition Ceremony in Slavin Center '64 Hall on Monday, April 27.

The event was sponsored by the Office of Student Activities-Involvement-Leadership (S.A.I.L.)/Slavin Center with support from Student Congress. The Student Recognition Program was created in 1995 by the S.A.I.L. office to honor the accomplishments of PC student-leaders in their work with student clubs and organizations as well as campus and community programming. It is part of the S.A.I.L. office's Lifelong Leadership program, which provides leadership development opportunities for students.

Individual awards were handed out in categories including "Emerging Leader," "Unsung Hero," "Advisor of the Year," and "Student Leader of the Year."

Event awards were given for "Most Successful Fundraiser," "Outstanding Multicultural Program," and "Outstanding Service Project," among others.

Eight organization awards were given in categories that included "Most Improved Organization," "Outstanding New Organization," and "Outstanding Athletic Organization."

Leslie J. Heller, assistant director of the S.A.I.L. office, thanked the students in attendance for strengthening the College community and enhancing student life on campus.

"This year, a total of 50 award nominations were submitted by members of the campus community," she noted. "I am sure that I speak for everyone by saying that we have discovered a deeper appreciation for, and sense of pride in, our students." 

Pierson '09 receives Legacy Award
At the ceremony, Emily Pierson '09 of Trumbull, Conn., was named the first recipient of the Leaving a Legacy Award. Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations, the award recognizes a student who has impacted the campus and/or individuals in some way that will be remembered for years to come.

Pierson, who is a public and community service studies (PCSS) major, has been involved in a myriad of on- and off-campus activities. One of her most significant contributions to PC has been as a founding member of the Irish Dance Club.

In addition, she has volunteered with the Providence After School Alliance (PASA), where she served as community assistant. PASA is a public/private venture that is working to expand and improve the quality of after-school programs for the youth of Providence.

In her role with PASA, Pierson managed and coordinated the service of other student volunteers and served as a liaison between the site supervisor, PC volunteers, the Feinstein Institute for Public Service, and the PCSS faculty member who taught the service-learning class.

Pierson also has volunteered at the San Miguel School in Providence and with English for Action, a Providence-based organization that serves Latino immigrant families through participatory English language and childcare programs. Other activities include studying abroad in Granada, Spain, during her junior year and serving as orientation leader during the summer of 2007.

"Earning this award is truly a special honor for me," Pierson said. "PC has become a home to me over the past four years, and it has left its mark on me for years to come. I can truly say that I have been transformed by my experiences here."

The list of award categories and recipients follows:

• Outstanding Organization - Board of Programmers
• Outstanding New Organization - Providence College Libertarians
• Outstanding Media Organization - WDOM
• Outstanding Performance Organization - Irish Dance Club
• Outstanding Athletic Organization - PC Sailing Club Team
• Club Spirit Award - Board of Multicultural Student Affairs
• Most Improved Organization - Best Buddies
• Outstanding Event - BJ Novak (Board of Programmers)
• Outstanding New Event - Snow Globe of Lights (Board of Multicultural Student Affairs)
• Outstanding Service Project - San Miguel School Mentorship Program (Organization of Latin American Students)
• Most Successful Fundraiser - Relay for Life (Colleges Against Cancer)
• Outstanding Multicultural Program - Emmanuel Jal (Board of Programmers)
• 2009 Special Recognition Award - Simply Healthy
• Emerging Leader - Kelli O'Donohue '11 of Sparkill, N.Y.
• Service Leader of the Year - Richard Dell'Isola '11 of Babylon, N.Y.
• Unsung Hero - Asha Chana '09 of Derry, N.H.
• Student Leader of the Year - Kerry Bergin '09 of Guilford, Conn.
• Advisor of the Year - Margaret P. Ruggieri, C.P.A., assistant professor of accountancy
• 2008-2009 Special Recognition Award - Brother Kevin O'Connell, O.P., deceased executive director of financial aid
• Dirigo Leadership Award - Kathryn Wood '09 of Needham, Mass.
• Leaving a Legacy Award - Emily Pierson '09 of Trumbull, Conn.

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