St. Mary’s College of Maryland held its annual Awards Convocation on Friday, April 28, 2017. A new award this year, the St. Mary’s Award, was presented to hawkTHON, a student-run philanthropy that raises awareness and funds for patients and families at Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C. The award was presented by President Tuajuanda C. Jordan.
“The St. Mary’s Award had its genesis in the Strategic Planning Steering Committee. I enacted the award to recognize an individual or group whose actions and deeds epitomize the St. Mary’s Way,” said Jordan. “The St. Mary’s Way is a concept adopted by the College community that centers on respecting one another and the world around us. By initiating fundraising efforts that directly benefit current patients at Children’s National, the students of hawkTHON are an obvious choice for our inaugural St. Mary’s Award. I am beyond proud of this group and of all our students who exemplify the St. Mary’s Way.”
At the beginning of the year, hawkTHON set a goal of raising $14,195 in honor of the 14,195 children who were admitted overnight at Children’s National. By joining a growing movement of Miracle Network dance marathons nationwide, the club surpassed their goal by raising $18,340.25, which was a 71% increase over last year’s total. One hundred twenty-five students registered, fundraised, and pledged to stand on their feet for eight hours during the event.
The annual Awards Convocation honored and celebrated students, staff, and faculty for their important contributions to the St. Mary’s College community.