Honors Convocation Vol. 25

[caption id="attachment_39382" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Faculty and students rise during the AUBG Choir performance; Steliyana Yordanova for AUBG Daily[/caption] On April 11, the 25th annual Honors Convocation Ceremony celebrated the academic achievements and social involvement of the university's brightest students. The event commemorated the Presidential Medalist, the honorees in each major, the Presidential Scholars, and the students on the Dean's List. [caption id="attachment_39383" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Sullivan's opening remarks; Steliyana Yordanova for AUBG Daily[/caption] [caption id="attachment_39389" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Provost Zankina; Steliyana Yordanova for AUBG Daily[/caption] Out of all distinguished students, Diana Elagina received the most awards for her outstanding achievements in three fields - Journalism and Mass Communication, European Studies, and German. She has been honored not only for her high grades but also for her participation in extracurricular activities such as Infocus and the Model EU. [caption id="attachment_39384" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Diana Elagina receiving honors for her outstanding achievement in Journalism and Mass Communication; Steliyana Yordanova for AUBG Daily[/caption] Later on, President Steven Sullivan announced this year's Presidential Medalist - Rochel Canagasabey. The award is given to the graduating student who best represents the ideals AUBG stands for. Canagasabey earned the recognition by showing academic excellence, a wide range of interests and activities, and community service. During his time in AUBG, Canagasabey sang in the choir, served as a Student Representative to the department of History, and participated in the AUBG MUN. The honoree spent his summers in Sri Lanka teaching English to street children and incarcerated prisoners. He has also worked on projects to stop deforestation both in Bulgaria, namely in the Pirin region, and his home country Sri Lanka. According to him, almost everyone in AUBG shares the same values and in its essence, this award belongs to the whole community. In his words, the ethnically diverse faculty and students have taught him a great deal and this would help him face real-life challenges.

"I am both humbled and honored for being recognized as the Presidential Medalist," commented Canagasabey. "For me personally, this medal stands as a reminder of humility and serves as an incentive to work even harder to have a broader impact on the community, be it here in Bulgaria, at home in Sri Lanka or anywhere in the world. People say that it is the university that molds a person, but I would narrow it down further and say that it is the people at the university that mold and have an impact on a person's life. Therefore, I am ever grateful to all the students, faculty, staff and even the caretakers for making me become who I am."

[caption id="attachment_39385" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Rochel Canagasabey being recognized as the 2018 Presidential Medalist; Steliyana Yordanova for AUBG Daily[/caption] [caption id="attachment_39386" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] President Sullivan awarding Canagasabey; Steliyana Yordanova for AUBG Daily[/caption] [caption id="attachment_39387" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Sava Stoyanov receiving honors for his outstanding achievement in Political Science and International Relations; Steliyana Yordanova for AUBG Daily[/caption] [caption id="attachment_39388" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The president of the Student Government, Georgi Georgiev, receiving honors for his outstanding contribution to shared governance; Steliyana Yordanova for AUBG Daily[/caption] Full List of students who were recognized for their outstanding achievements: Outstanding Senior in Information Systems: Kejsi Take and Hristina Boyadzhieva Twentieth Annual Programming Contest: 3rd place - Lazaron Shyta, 2nd place - Aarya BC, 1st place - Jimshir Skhirtlandze Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics: Plamen Penchev and Ksandros Apostoli Outstanding Achievement in Computer Science: Nikola Toshev and Ksandros Apostoli Outstanding Achievement in Journalism and Mass Communication: Diana Elagina and Maria Markina Outstanding Achievement in Economics: Megin Shehi and Dimitar Argirov Outstanding Achievement in Business Administration: Palina Kolvani and Anu Molor Outstanding Achievement in Modern Languages: French: Iulita Osichenko and Yelyzaveta Glybchenko German: Diana Elagina Bulgarian: Natalia Shirshova Outstanding Achievement in Literature: Gergana Stoeva Outstanding Achievement in Instrumental Music: Uurtsaikh Gantogtokh and Vuk Vasic Outstanding Achievement in Vocal Music: Kristian Iliev and Penyo Krotev Outstanding Achievement in History and Civilizations: Selena Stevanovic Outstanding Achievement in European Studies: Diana Elagina and Iulita Osichenko Outstanding Achievement in Political Science and International Relations: Sava Stoyanov and Indira Urazova Outstanding Achievement in the EMBA: Irena Macheva Outstanding Contribution to the Development of Athletics: Maksim Sviridenko Al Cyrus Theater Award: Bogdan Dimitrov and Iliyan Velev The Thirteenth Annual University Council Essay Awards: 3rd place - Indira Urazova, 2nd place - Yelyzaveta Glybchenko, 1st place - Enika Hasanaj Community Volunteer Service Award: Noel Ceta Outstanding Resident Assistant: Sava Stoyanov Outstanding Contribution to shared Governance: Georgi Georgiev Outstanding Student Advisor: Anu Molor and Uurtsaikh Gantogtokh