Executive director Maryan Amalow, award winners Clayton Smith and Iftekhar Basith, staffer Steve Jancev and president Ed King.Executive director Maryan Amalow, award winners Clayton Smith and Iftekhar Basith, staffer Steve Jancev and president Ed King at the OPUS awards banquet March 24.

Awards banquet dedicated to student pride

The 24th annual banquet of the Organization of Part-time University Students was a huge success, says executive director Maryan Amalow, with 140 guests gathering in Vanier Hall on March 24 to honour 14 awards recipients.

“It was an exceptional celebration of our 47 years of existence, acknowledging those outstanding individuals who make our university a unique place and those students that lead the way to a successful future,” she says.

With a theme of student pride, the event featured performances by the dabke dance team, musician Adeniyi Agbola and DJ R. J. Sivanesan. Amalow cites as highlights two new awards: for student solidarity to Graduate Student Society president Iftekhar Basith and for administrative leadership to dean of students Clayton Smith. A special presentation paid tribute to OPUS president Ed King’s 20 years of involvement with the organization.

Find a full list of award recipients on the OPUS website.