Southeastern students of diverse culture, ethnicities and backgrounds were acknowledged for their talents and contributions to the university during the Multicultural Awards Banquet at Twelve Oaks. The night included not only awards, but also fine catering from ARAMARK and a musical performance by one of the students, Moise Pirosca.
“We combined two programs that we have done previously,” said Brendan Daigle, Coordinator for International Affairs.  “We had done for many years the African American Achievement awards and that honor is African American students.  Starting last year, we began doing international awards.  This year we decided to merge them together.”
After the performance of the national anthem by student Jeremy Lloyd, honored students enjoyed dinner and desert.  The food included meat, wild rice, bread, salad and green beans.  Varieties of cake were set up for desert.
Awards presented include the Dr. Doucette Pinnacle Award, Academic Excellence Award, Project PULL Graduate Recognition, David Ware Finalists, Pan-Helleninc Honors, International Student Scholar Honors, LaVanner S. Brown Role Model Finalists and the Outstanding Service Award.
“We do it to highlight the excellent students in those populations,” said Daigle about the banquet and given awards.
Some students received stoles decorated with the flag of their home country as well. After all awards were handed out Pirosca, from Romania, sang and played guitar to the crowd.
“This song is about how I felt when God changed my life,” said Pirosca.  “I was very nervous, but I enjoyed singing.  I wasn’t expecting an award, and it really isn’t as much of an award as God bringing me here.  I plan to be a full time missionary [after college].”
Many of the students have made hopes and plans for after college.  The banquet honoring their graduation and accomplishments meant a lot to many of these seniors.
“I worked hard to graduate. I’m mathematics major.  It’s really rewarding to be recognized for it by multicultural.  It signifies that they appreciate what I did here and that God has presented me with this award,” said Winfred Hills.  “After graduation I plan on teaching mathematics until I go and get my masters.”
Project PULL Grads include Chelsea Scott, Conesha Farlough, Jiah Jefferson, Larry Overton, Racheal Lagrue, Vaughndalynne Brown, Donnisha Patterson, Jermisha Frazier, Kayla Norman, Vaughn Walker, Nioka Gordon, Ronnice Washington, Aleigha Jones, Erin Norwood, Jasmine Young, Marisa Evans, Mattie Johnson, Pharyn Wilson-Jones, Andra White, Ange’lique Jones, Demetria Williams, Miah Williams and Kelsey McKenzie.
Pan-Hell Grads include Leah Simpson, Jessica Lenore, Braejhan Stampley, Vania McKendall, Raveen Coon, Dynnishea Jones, Renada Living, Magen Howard, Jasmine Theriot, Maria Richardson, Devance Ball, Stephen Bridgewater, Kendrick Griffin, Thyron Pierre, Matthew Moore and Winfred Hills.
Dr. Albert J. Doucette Pinnacle Award receivers are Thecie Nathalie Mambu Fotso, Lonnie Taylor, Kayla Young, Johnquel Jones, Kimberly Jasper, Gregory Jackson Jr., Janis Urena and Romanus Ejiag.
Academic Excellence Award winners are Suyogya Karki, Ritesh Chaudhary, Alina Sitaula, Suraj Ayer, Sunita Magar, Moise Pirosca, Dipanjali Budhathoki and Yogesh Agrawal.
Dr. LaVanner S. Brown Role Model of the Year Finalists are Adonica Reed, Raymond Jones and Jeremy Lloyd.
Ware/Gasparian Most Outstanding International Student Finalists include Pasang Sherpa Alina Sitaula and Eleena Dulal.
Internal Grads include Karly Dagys, Samantha McNally, Cassandra Northrup, Isabel Brito, Camille Pilon, Abhishesh Acharya, Ashish Acharya, Darshan Amatya, Bijay Bhattarai, Diwas Bhattarai, Renuka Gaire, Bishwas Gautam, Bishwas Ghimire, Bimil Kunwor, Sumit Libi, Sapana Pandey, Aditya Parajuli, Asish Poddar, Pradish Shahi, Jenesh Shrestha, Ramesh Shrestha, Dipika Timilsina, Susan Gomez, Irma Zambrano, Marnelli Italyn Asiatico and Miriam Mukasa.
The Outstanding Service Award went to Marjorie Parker.