On November 21st, The Weissman Center for International Business hosted its second annual competition for the Sovereign Santander Bank Global Awareness Award. The competition is designed to emphasize the importance of international education, programs and global issues defined at Baruch. Student clubs and organizations were awarded cash prizes for projects as part of Baruch’s International Education Week which took place from November 11-15.
Provost Christy opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to guests from Santander Universities and thanked them for their continued support, including their as funding of the Global Student Certificate Program (GSC). Santander Group Chairman Emilio Botin, announced the bank’s commitment to contribute $100 million to U.S Universities over the next five years through its Santander Universities Global Division.
Out of 15 submitted applications representing over 18 clubs, 10 were selected to present their entries during International Education Week. Presentations included scavenger hunts, contests, video testimonials, social media engagement, games, prizes and food. Provost Christy expressed his support for the clubs that participated:
The messages you conveyed—to celebrate benefits of international education and exchange, and to prepare students for a global environment—reached literally hundreds of members of the Baruch community. I salute your accomplishments, and know that, even though we are here to award prizes to you, the true winner has been Baruch College as a whole.
The 1st prize of $3,000 was awarded to the United Sikh Association for “Turban Day at Baruch” during which members of the club tied colorful turbans on the heads of any student or faculty member who wished to participate while engaging them in conversation about their community, identity and values. In addition to the United Sikh Association, the Advertising Design Society, AIESEC, ASEDOM, Delta Sigma Pi, Eco Club, eXchange Support, Golden Key, International Student Organization, Japan Club, Kappa Phi Alpha, Le Club Francais de Baruch, Model United Nations, NYC Hong Kong Club, Taiwanese Student Association, Transfer Student Organization, United Chinese Language Association, and the Vietnamese Student Association each had a hand in promoting the international awareness theme.
Below is the full list of winners:
1st place ($3,000) – “Turban Day at Baruch” presented by the United Sikh Association
2nd place ($2,500) – “2 Hours, 4 Continents, 8 Countries” presented by Advertising Design Society, NYC Hong Kong Club, Taiwanese Student Association, and the United Chinese Language Association
3rd place ($2,000) – “A Hunt Around the World” presented by Delta Sigma Pi and the Vietnamese Student Association
4th place ($1,500) – “Mr. and Ms. International Challenge” presented by AIESEC
5th place ($1,000) – “Project Baruch Exchange Me” presented by eXchange Support Squad
Santander Universities supports higher education by providing funding for scholarships, grants, academic research and extra-curricular awards.