“I was shocked,” said Vincent Chau, this year’s winner of the Frank Bailey (1885) Prize for the greatest service to the College in any field.
An interdepartmental history and economics major from Manhattan, Chau began perking up when “President Ainlay started talking about someone with economics and history backgrounds.”
Chau is a resident advisor, former class president and Minerva mentor, and an active Asian Student Union member. He also has worked as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant, and he and a friend created Proteus House, a theme house for math and science students.
“Having my name up there on the plaque is significant,” said Chau, who has requested his middle name, Ka-wing, be included. “It’s not as common as a lot of Western names, and maybe someone someday will see it and realize they, too, can make a difference.”
Tom Perry also said he wasn’t expecting much when he went to Memorial Chapel for Prize Day ceremonies Saturday, May 2. He planned to offer support to friends who would be taking home prizes and scholarships.
It was he who garnered one of the day’s top distinctions, the Josephine Daggett Prize for exemplary conduct and character.
A physics major and astrophysics minor from Schenectady, Perry has been active as president of the Environmental Club and of the Society of Physics Students, with which he has performed science demonstrations in local schools. He also volunteers as a coach with the Science Bowl through the Kenney Community Center.
“It’s a great feeling,” he said of winning the Daggett, “but there are other people in the Union community who deserve this, too.”
Shanique Kerr, also a senior, received the 7th annual Student Diversity Leadership Award from UNITAS.
A political science major from Brooklyn with minors in economics and classics, Kerr was cited for devoting “much of her effort to creating an equitable experience on campus for all students.” UNITAS is dedicated to fostering community and diversity at Union.
“You can get a lot done on this campus,” Kerr said. “Union is a breeding ground for leaders.”
Kerr has held elected office on the Student Forum, served as co-president of the Black Student Union and co-chair of UNITAS and was elected to the College Board of Trustees. She was a resident advisor for three years.
She is thankful for the support of her classmates and of faculty, staff and trustees.
“They’re equally passionate about the issues that students care about, and their support is key to helping students become leaders,” she said.
Nearly 100 awards were given at Prize Day for achievements in academics, research, service, governance and athletics.
For a complete list of winners, click here.
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