From outstanding academic performance to iron-willed determination to help others, the incredible accomplishments of students were celebrated at the second annual Duke Kunshan University Student Awards last month.
The offices of undergraduate studies and student affairs joined forces on April 29, 2022, to hand out 25 awards marking the extraordinary and varied achievements of Duke Kunshan students and some of the faculty and staff who support them.
Among the winners were students going above and beyond to serve society, inspiring leaders working tirelessly to shape the DKU experience and student-led organizations creating a wealth of hands-on opportunities for their peers.
“I am so proud of what everybody has accomplished this year under really difficult circumstances no matter where you’re located,” Dean of Undergraduate Studies Professor Marcia France told students as she opened the Zoom ceremony.
Some of the winners of the Duke Kunshan University Student Awards 2021-22
“We have so many talented students who are doing amazing things.”
Receiving more than 200 nominations, the 2021-22 awards were staged with the school year drawing to a close and the first-ever commencement ceremony for a DKU undergraduate class just a few weeks away.
The Office of Undergraduate Studies segment of the ceremony was split into two main categories — recognition of academic achievements in various disciplines and awards based on the university’s seven animating principles, such as Rooted Globalism and Collaborative Problem-solving.
In the animating principles category, Lingli Tang’s resolve to help vulnerable children earned her the Purposeful Life Award. She was led to the calling by her personal experience aged 8 of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Lingli Tang, recipient of the A Purposeful Life accolade
“This life-changing event inspired her dedication to helping other children who suffered traumatic life events,” said France, who is also associate vice chancellor for undergraduate studies and the Language and Culture Center.
As part of her campaign, Tang initiated the Blossom Project to provide outreach activities to the children of frontline Covid-19 health workers.
Jiasheng (Ray) Zhu scooped the Wise Leadership Award for “truly helping to shape DKU”, showing strong leadership by serving as an international student ambassador, organizing donations for Hubei province at the start of the pandemic and helping to plan the Class of 2022 commencement, to name a few.
“I would like to thank the faculty, staff, students and all my friends at DKU who keep supporting me, encouraging me, enlightening me and shaping my leadership skills through my unforgettable DKU experience,” Ray said.
Polina Konovalova won the Chinese as Second Language prize for the “remarkable progress” she made through her tireless efforts, even attending online tutorials at 2 a.m. her local time.
Polina Konovalova netted the Chinese as Second Language prize
Renee Richer, associate professor of biology, was given the Undergraduate Faculty Teaching Award after students praised the way she instilled passion for the subject.
“I hope I was just able to share my love of biology and the environment,” Richer said.
The awards organized by the Office of Student Affairs — celebrating endeavors relating to community, diversity, health and events, among others — declared two people student leader of the year. The accolade celebrates those who create change, make a positive impact and serve as role models in the DKU community.
The recipients were June Lin, a first-year student holding several leadership posts who “inspires not just students but staff to pursue their dreams” and Weiran Li, a junior who helped found the Student Media Center, raised awareness of DKU on social media and hosted several student affairs events.
June Lin
Weiran Li was one of two undergraduates honored as Student Leader of the Year
“Winning this award would not have been possible without the inspiration I received from my teammates … from whom I derived the strength to challenge myself and perform better at each stage,” Li said.
Among the other winners, Nicholas Silva received a Health & Wellness Award for his work in driving the success of the DKU Mental Wellness Challenge, which asked students to submit data relating to their well-being across six areas.
Dean of Student Affairs Raphael Moffett said it “warms my heart” to see students so engaged in their college experience.
He added that in 20 years in higher education none of the students he previously served had ever faced the challenges encountered by those at DKU.
“Managing a pandemic, plopped right down in the middle of your college experience — I couldn’t be more proud of what you’re doing and how you are continuing to pour into the institution and each other,” he told students.
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Professor Scott MacEachern signed off the event by paying tribute to all the students, staff and faculty recognized at the awards.
“I’m incredibly impressed by all of your achievements and the endless energy that you bring to your engagements with DKU,” he said. “This ceremony honors you, but you honor DKU through what you’ve done.”
Alberto Najarro won the Diversity & Inclusion Award
Winners of the 2021-22 Duke Kunshan University Student Awards
Office of Student Affairs Awards
Community Service: Yutong Lu
Community Service: Zixiao Yang
Diversity & Inclusion: Alberto Najarro
Event/Program: Erin Greig, Medic Mindset
Event/Program: Jiayu Xue, Game of Life – First Year Experience
Emerging Student Leader: Yueqian Lin
Health & Wellness: Reika Shimomura
Health & Wellness: Nick Silva, DKU Mental Wellness Challenge
Student Leader: June Lin
Student Leader: Weiran Li
Staff Member: Echo Zhao
Student Organization: Young Leaders of Global Health Club
Student Organization: Medic Mindset
Office of Undergraduate Studies Awards
Division of Arts and Humanities: Siyu (Sue) Wang
Division of Natural and Applied Sciences: Yitong Su
Division of Social Sciences: Mentemir Nooruzbaev
Chinese as Second Language: Polina Konovalova
English for Academic Purposes: Yidan (Claire) Mao
UG Faculty Teaching: Renee Richer
Rooted Globalism: Haibei Zhang
Collaborative Problem-Solving: (Honey) Huang Bihui
Research and Practice: Hsien-Yao Chee & Zikang Jia
Lucid Communication: Nomunsor Soronzonbold
Independence and Creativity: Wanying (Yetta) He
Wise Leadership: Jiasheng (Ray) Zhu
A Purposeful Life: Lingli Tang
