A joyful celebration was presented by Campus Life this past weekend at Aquinas.

The 2007-08 Aquinas College Student Awards ceremony for the outstanding freshman, sophomore and junior awards was held at the Donnelly Center. Each exceptional student showed great enthusiasm in receiving the puzzle-themed certificate.

The most essential piece of the freshmen class was Teresa Buiocchi, who Elizabeth Jenson, assistant professor of chemistry, described as “courteous and outgoing with her peers and instructors.” Other freshmen nominated were Rebecca Hyatt, Rachael Pineiro, Ariel Timm, and Sara Sanders.

Named Most Outstanding Sophomore was Cheyna Roczowksi, who also won Most Outstanding Freshman last year. Michelle DeRose, associate professor of English, read a touching letter of recommendation, in which she wrote, “She [Cheyna] won’t be happy until her friends, then her acquaintances, and then strangers learn to love themselves.”

DeRose also presented her letter of recommendation for the Most Outstanding Junior, Kathleen Pollock, who had an impressive list of accomplishments and was named most outstanding student for both her freshman and sophomore years.

“It should be clear that Kathleen does nothing without her all-out commitment,” said DeRose.

Other awards handed out at the event went to juniors Will Eberle, Alexander Jacobsson and Pollock, who were awarded with the Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities distinction. VIBE — Voices Inspiring Black Students Everywhere was named the Club/Organization of the Year.

Junior Rob Karel, senior John Kroondyk and junior Dan Treul shared a three-way-tie for Senator of the Year and senior Bradley Vandenbroeck was named the Cabinet Member of the Year for his efforts as Director of the Senate Sustainability Committee.

Senate adviser Dave Weinandy introduced Vandenbroeck as a “quiet leader,” and the graduating senior was characteristically gracious.

“My job was really easy because of my committee members,” Vandenbroeck said. “Everyone was really involved throughout the year.”

Vandenbroeck echoed the sentiments of many of the students present, saying “I don’t regret a minute of it. I probably wouldn’t change anything that we did throughout the year. It was very rewarding not only to be the director but also to see the engagement and the work put in by everybody involved.”

The awards ceremony for seniors will be held May 2, the evening prior to graduation, at 7 p.m. in the Wege Ballroom.