UNO College of Sciences Presents Awards at Spring Honors Convocation
The University of New Orleans' College of Sciences held its 40th annual Honors Convocation on Wednesday in the University Center Ballroom. The event recognized outstanding undergraduate and graduate students for achievements in the sciences.
UNO President Peter J. Fos gave welcoming remarks and Interim Dean Wendy Schlucter served as master of ceremonies. She presented the 2013 Undergraduate Teaching Award to Kevin Stokes, professor and chair of the Department of Physics. Stokes, a UNO alumnus, was praised for his efforts to incorporate research into his teaching at all levels.
Twenty-four students were named to the University's Phi Beta Kappa Club Award in Science. Phi Beta Kappa is an academic honor society that aims to promote and advocate excellence in the arts and sciences. It is the oldest honor society for the liberal arts and sciences and among the oldest undergraduate societies in the U.S. To date, seventeen U.S. Presidents, 38 U.S. Supreme Court Justices and 136 Nobel Laureates have been inducted members.
Following departmental awards, Barry LeBlanc, past president of the UNO International Alumni Association and current member of the UNO Foundation, recognized seven Students4Higher scholars in the College of Sciences. LeBlanc created the Students4Higher program to help support first-generation college students.
The convocation concluded with presentation of the Dean's Award to Sanjeev Dahal and Stephen Lambert. The Dean's Award is the College of Science's highest honor.
Dahal graduated summa cum laude in December, 2012, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a perfect 4.0 grade point average, said Interim Dean Wendy Schlucter at the ceremony. Lambert will graduate in May, 2013, also with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average in his undergraduate coursework.
