The Student Government Association (SGA) honored students, administrators, faculty and staff for the work they do everyday to enhance the St. Francis College community, hosting the Annual Student Awards Gala at the Waterfront Crab House, in Long Island City, on May 2. The SGA is proud to celebrate the hard work of these people and thanks them for their contributions to the College.

"I am happy to report that the Student Awards Gala went extremely well. Many first-time guests expressed their extreme satisfaction of the event" said SGA Vice President Dominic Palastro '09 and Chairman of the Awards Committee. "I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all award recipients. Their various contributions to the College have truly been inspirational to the students and their colleagues and reflect the Franciscan Tradition."

Created by the SGA many decades ago, the Student Awards Gala is the SGA's premier event, celebrating St. Francis College individual and community achievements. Nicholas D'Esposito '09 and Michael Phillips '08 were the Masters of Ceremony for the event.

Government and Community Relations received the Department of the Year award honoring their work in creating bridges between the College and the New York City and Brooklyn Heights community as well as the work of each of their offices: Special Events, Media Relations, Website, Publications and Grants and College Relations.

"It's an honor for our department to be recognized, "said Linda Werbel Dashefsky, Vice President of Government and Community Relations. "The goal of all of our work is ultimately to enhance the students' experiences at SFC through events, communication and fundraising. This year's student government was a true partner in many projects."

Retiring President Frank J. Macchiarola '62also was honored at the dinner with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 12 years of service at the helm of the College. Another recipient of the award was Dr. Arthur Hughes, Professor Emeritus of History, who retired last semester after 46 years of service to the College. The Faculty Committee on Student Activities received the Bro. Austin Gill Award to honor their tireless work and dedication to the betterment of the St. Francis College Community and for creating a strong foundation for Student Activities.

Special recognition awards were given to Career Development for outstanding work in providing students a variety of opportunities after college and for successful career events and to Mr. Peter David Gonzales for his work this year as a member of the Executive Council of SGA.

S.A.C.O.R. awards were also given out at the dinner. This year's Club of the Year went to the Psychology Club for its outstanding efforts in recruitment, performance, and accomplishing the club mission. Moderators, Dr. Steven Anolik and Dr. Renée Goodstein, were awarded with Club Moderator of the Year. A new award, the Event of the Year, went to the Caribbean Student Association for the revival of the Mr. and Ms. St. Francis pageant. This successful event nearly packed Founders Hall, the College's biggest auditorium.

Other award winners include:

Administrator of the Year - Mr. Ruben Gonzalez
Faculty of the Year - Dr. Gerard Davidson
Staff Member of the Year - Mrs. Kathy Ditrento

The SGA also expresses special thanks to the generosity of the Office of Alumni Relations for providing transportation to and from the event.

The Student Government's purpose is to act as a sounding board for all student interests, while at the same time assuming the task of providing efficient and productive leadership for the student body. It's goal is to facilitate student communication, to coordinate and encourage student participation, to provide means for responsible and effective student participation in appropriate decision-making processes of the College, to further student welfare and interests, to ensure justice for all students, and to coordinate all these into one main objective - that of a more complete educational experience.

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City's five boroughs and beyond.
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St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
www.sfc.edu