ALUMNI NEWS

The Best of the Best

As the University of Windsor student base grows, so do the number of outstanding student achievements.

Abu Arif, Alumni Board President-elect Tom Porter BA'74, LLB '78 , and Melissa Strange.

Political Science student Abu Arif this year won the Alumni VISA Spirit Award and the Alumni Association Student Leadership Award. A native of Bangladesh, Arif was a member of VISA (Volunteer International Students’ Association), where he worked to organize a number of events. Being a good role model for the other volunteers, coupled with his dedication to the organization, earned him the Alumni VISA Spirit Award. His participation in the University community went beyond VISA. He was involved with the Human Rights Office, Political Science Student Association and International Students’ Society, as well as being a diversity mentor and a student ambassador. That is why he was awarded the Alumni Association Student Leadership Award.
Melissa Strange, a fourth-year communications studies major, is the recipient of the Alumni S.O.S. Volunteer Spirit Award. An active member of S.O.S. (Students Orienting Students), Strange has served on the Advisory Board for Head Start and Windsor Welcome Week where she led the Parent Information Session. She is also one of two leaders who created the S.O.S. newsletter.

Matt Morencie with Alumni Past President Bill Wright, BA '70, LLB '73.

The Alumni Super Sophomore Award went to the two second-year Lancer athletes who best combine athletic and academic achievement. This year’s recipients are Football’s Matt Morencie and Track & Field’s Danielle Harrison. Morencie is a two-sport athlete – football and track & field – who excelled this year. During the football season, he played in the offensive tackle and slot-back positions and was a major contributor on special teams. Harrison had a standout sophomore year. She captured two gold medals at the OUA Championships in the 60m and 4x200m relay, and was a double medalist at the CIS Championships, winning bronze in the 60m, with the fourth-fastest time ever recorded by a Lancer. She also anchored the 4x200m relay team to a gold medal in one of the most exciting races of the championships.

Danielle Harrison with Wright.

Lana Fruitman was presented with this year’s Drama Alumni Award. The award is given to the Dramatic Art student with outstanding potential in the performing arts and who has made a significant contribution to the University Players and the School of Dramatic art.

Lana Fruitman, Alumni Drama Award Winner with Alumni Association President Jeff Flacks BHK '96, MBA '98.