The GPSC held its 2012 Achievement Awards and Resource Mobilization event on Friday in the Student Union Memorial Center to honor 11 graduate students who have made outstanding contributions to graduate education.

Students had the opportunity to nominate their peers and mentors for honorable recognition.

“We are trying to give support and recognition to the various individuals who have contributed success to the UA, not just for doing the minimum work but for those who have gone above and beyond,” said Chris Cornelison, a public administration graduate student and event director for the Graduate and Professional Student Council, in his opening speech.

There were six nomination categories: outstanding mentor of graduate or professional students, outstanding diversity development by a graduate or professional student, outstanding graduate and professional leadership, outstanding research assistant, outstanding program coordinator and outstanding teaching assistant.

The winners in each category received a certificate of honor and $100 from GPSC, and runners-up also received a certificate of honor and $50. Forty-five individuals were nominated and 85 letters in support of the award were submitted.

The award ceremony concluded GPSC’s Student Appreciation Week. Roeland Hancock, a psychology graduate student and GPSC president, said appreciation week is a way to recognize students for their contribution and to give them a break from studying while enjoying social activities with their peers and families.

Keith Humphrey, dean of students and the event’s keynote speaker, said in his speech how impressed he was with the quality of work that GPSC has contributed.

“When you bring your voice to the table, you win and you make the UA stronger,” Humphrey said to the graduate students. “We are counting on you and all the innovation and creativity that you bring to make our world a better place.”

Award winners

First place for outstanding diversity development by a graduate/professional student: Jamie Ann Lee, information resources and library sciences

First place for outstanding research assistant: Shannon Corkery, family and consumer sciences

First place for oustanding program coordinator: Lori Boyd, senior program coordinator, chemistry and biochemistry

First place for outstanding teaching assistant: Joel Muraco, family and consumer sciences

First place for oustanding mentor of graduate and professional students: David Christenson, classics professor

First place for outstanding graduate/professional student leadership: Erin Durban-Albrecht, anthropology