SPP'S STUDENT ASSOCIATION AWARDS

SPP's Student Association (SPPSA) handed out awards at the conclusion of the "Ethics in Practice" event on March 31 to members of the SPP community who most helped the group to become a greater presence this year. Professor Desmond Dinan was presented with the Faculty Award for being such a willing advisor and for his support of SPPSA's academic programming. Two staff members—Heather Gaillard, Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations, and Student Services Administrative Assistant Silva Pecini—were recognized for going out of their way to help SPPSA and shared the Staff Member Award. The Student Award was given to Marko Frigelj, SPPSA's President Emeritus, for his energy, leadership, and enthusiasm in organizing events, particularly some of the socials and pre-class snacks which students enjoyed. "I am glad that I was able to bring the School of Public Policy community together," he stated in his acceptance speech. Holly Vineyard, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Africa, the Middle East and South Asia, for the U.S. Department of Commerce, received the Alumni Award for her involvement, particularly for her help with the "Africa Open for Business" event on November 29 and her willingness to advise graduating students. After being given her award, she mentioned how happy she was to be helping to support and expand the SPP network. SPPSA President Sarah Bonner presented the awards with Alumni Chair Laura Harris, and quipped that all the alumni present were welcome to “compete for next year's award.”

To learn more about SPPSA, go to http://www.gmu.edu/org/sppsa/index.html.