To see the Power Point Presentation for 2008
The Balfour Center for Multicultural Affairs at Providence College honors seven (7) Multicultural Scholarship recipients at its annual end of the year awards banquet held at Dave and Buster’s Restaurant on Saturday, May 2, 2009. The Awards banquet was hosted by Michael R. Walsh, Director of the Multicultural Scholarship Program, Assistant Dean of the Balfour Center for Multicultural Affairs. The Balfour Center for Multicultural Affairs Year End Award event takes place every May and is designed to provide an opportunity for the Providence College community to recognize the academic and extracurricular achievements of Multicultural Scholarship Program recipients and others on campus. Nominated students are reviewed by an administrative collaborative committee comprised of Providence College partners. Awards were presented in key strategic development areas, with two additional awards given to students who have demonstrated an over and above commitment to improving the community for which they live.
Equity Award is presented to a student who has increased awareness of issues of equity, diversity and/or social justice in the Providence College community.
Sophomore, Biology major, Manuel Ortiz was awarded the 2009 Equity Award for his visionary creation of the Step-Up Program at the San Miguel School. The Step-up Program is an ongoing weekend project that brought middle school students to Providence College’s campus to engage in college preparatory discussions.
Service Award is presented to a student who has provided exemplary service on campus and surrounding community.
The 2009 Service Award was presented to Sophomore Public Policy major, Stephanie Blake. Stephanie led an academic outreach initiative in collaboration with the Feinstein Institute for Public Service, the Balfour Center for Multicultural Affairs, the Providence College Education Department, and Institute for the Study & Practice of Nonviolence, to outreach to local high schools (Mt. Pleasant High School, Shea High School, and Central Falls High School). Ninth and tenth grade high school students visited Providence College during February and April vacations to shadow Providence College students and learn more about the college experience.
Leadership Award is presented to a student who has increased the profile of historically underrepresented students by participating in leadership roles throughout his/her experience at Providence College.
The 2009 Leadership Award was awarded to Senior Education major Asha Chana. Asha has been actively involved in numerous student campus groups and organizations since her freshman year at Providence College. She has provided leadership and guidance to Asian Am, Habitat for Humanity, Circolo Italiano, and Board of Multicultural Student Affairs and is Program Director at WDOM, the campus radio station. She has been a co-organizer of V-Day which included putting on the production of “The Vagina Monologues” off campus and petitioning for and putting on the production of “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer” on campus. She is also part of the Liberal Arts Honors program at Providence College as well as being part of the Education Honors Society on campus Kappa Delta Pi. Asha is the recipient of the 2007 Emerging Leader Award and the 2009 Unsung Hero Award. She has also been recognized as the Student of the Month back in October 2008. Asha will work as an educator for the teach America Program in after graduating from Providence College.
Inspiration Award is presented to a student who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to support, motivate, and inspire his or her classmates.
The 2009 Inspiration Award was presented to Carlos Trujillo, a senior Political Science major at Providence College. Carlos has demonstrated excellent academic achievement while at Providence College and has held a leadership role in the Organization of Latin American Students. A first generation Cuban-American, he has exercised extreme courage as he recalls his family’s journey and struggle to the United States. He is currently a research assistant for the political science department. Carlos has been shared his outspoken views on Cuba and has published an article in a Latin American Journal, Noticia de Global Affairs, chronicling the tensions among Cuba’s Ruling Elite. Carlos has been accepted into Master’s in Public Policy at American University and Georgetown University for the fall of 2009.
Academic Excellence Award is presented to a student for significant scholarly achievement (cumulative 3.5 or above GPA) and exemplary contributions to the Balfour Center for Multicultural Affairs.
The 2009 Academic Excellence Award was awarded to senior Biochemistry major Abigail Mariga. Abigail, a Zimbabwean born scholar, may not have fulfilled her dream of earning a college degree if it wasn’t for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. scholarship. Earning consecutive appearances on the Dean’s list – Abigail has taken the initiative to explore opportunities in biomedical research to supplement her academic experience since the summer of her freshman year. Her hard work has paid off and has earned her numerous awards and recognition. Abigail was accepted into the United States Achievers Program at Yale University where she worked on a project to develop an atlas database of all the genes in the rice plant using the Laser Capture Micro dissection technology. At the end of this summer project she was nominated to give a presentation of findings at the Annual Biomedical Science Conference for Minority Students. In the summer of her sophomore year, she was selected into another internship program at Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals. At Boehringer, she developed fluorescence based cell assays to further the discovery of a novel therapy for Multiple Sclerosis. Last summer she completed yet another internship program at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. At Pfizer, she worked on a project that was aimed at understanding neurological defects in Alzheimer’s disease. Her contributions at Pfizer are now being applied to further Alzheimer’s disease research. She has most recently been awarded the Dr. Robert Krasner Award; an award that is given to a graduating Providence College biology major who best exemplifies Dr. Krasner’s commitment to teaching and leadership inside and outside of the classroom. Abigail Mariga will continue her research at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals upon her May graduation at Providence College.
Honorable Mention Award
Is given to a member of the Multicultural scholarship community who effortlessly and tirelessly gives of (him/herself) to the good will ambassadorship and collaborative initiatives of the Balfour Center and or the greater Providence community.
Senior psychology major Amanda Pasciucco was awarded an Honorable Mention Award for her significant contributions to service to her community. Amanda has been actively involved in numerous programs that formed to assist societal issues such as illegal immigration and other social justice concerns. Amanda served one year as student representative on the board for Educational Diversity at Providence College. She volunteered at Charles Street Community Center’s afterschool program. There, she worked with young adolescent girls and was responsible for mediating conflicts and bridging the gap between the various ethnic backgrounds. In her senior year, Amanda became an intern at Day One in the sexual assault and trauma resource center in Rhode Island. There she completed a comprehensive 30-hour training seminar where she became a certified Victim’s Helpline Advocate. This position involved working on-call for Day One offering connective resource, supportive service, and victim advocacy of sexual assault, domestic violence, and hate crimes. Additionally, on campus she is working with the “Students for Diversity and Internationalism” Lastly, she volunteered to help translate interviews for the Providence College Labor Alliance movement. Amanda has been accepted into the Masters Program for Marriage and Family Therapy at University of Connecticut and will attend the program in the fall.
Senior Management major Claudia Norvilus was presented an Honorable Mention Award for her significant contributions to the Providence College community and The Balfour Center for Multicultural Affairs. Claudia has been consistently called upon by the likes of student organizations and academic departments for her insight and wisdom. She has either participated or contributed in some way to every significant Balfour Center event since her freshman year. This includes but is not limited to, Balfour Days, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast, and the Freshman Transition Program. She has been on the senior planning committee for the Class of 2008 multicultural scholarship recipient’s farewell committee and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week planning committee. She has volunteered with the Office of Admission in planning and presenting at campus wide events like PC Up-Close, Kaleidoscope, and Family Day. Currently, among other things, she is the entertainment chair for the Commencement Core Committee for 2009. For the past few years she worked in the Providence College bookstore assisting students and parents with their college shopping needs. Lastly, this past year she had an internship with the Catholic Roman Diocese of Providence in the Stewardship and Development office working with the internal organization to reach donation goals. Claudia is fielding multiple job offers and hopes to remain close to her family in Boston.
Power Point Presentation for 2008 Click Here