By Felix Khanoba
The American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, has honoured members of its graduating Honour Society for their exceptional academic performance, leadership qualities and contributions to community development within and outside the institution.
Speaking during the Honour Society annual awards banquet held on Thursday, the university described the event as a celebration of scholarship, integrity, leadership and vision, values it said reflect genuine excellence.
The Honour Society, regarded as one of the institution’s most prestigious groups, is made up of students with a minimum CGPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, alongside proven records of good character and leadership.
Members of the graduating Class of 2026 were praised for demonstrating courage, commitment to service and dedication to improving society through various community-based initiatives.
Vice Chancellor of AUN, DeWayne Frazier, said the banquet was organised to recognise the hard work, discipline and commitment displayed by the students throughout their academic journey.
According to him, the university remains committed to academic and ethical excellence, ideals which the graduating students had consistently reflected.
Frazier described the Honour Society Club as one of the most distinguished student organisations on university campuses.
He noted that members of the society had devoted themselves to assisting academically struggling students through tutorials, while also supporting less privileged members of the community with educational materials and electricity supply initiatives.
“You are the embodiment of what we stand for. You are awesome,” Frazier said.
The Vice Chancellor expressed optimism about the future of Nigeria, saying the current generation of young people possessed the capacity to transform the nation.
He added that the graduating students could compete favourably with their counterparts from any higher institution because of their impressive achievements and performances.
Frazier also applauded parents and guardians for the sacrifices they made in supporting their children’s education at AUN.
In her remarks, the outgoing president of the Honour Society, Sharon Pedro-Dimas, described the organisation as a platform where leadership is defined by service rather than titles.
“It’s a community that houses not just accomplished people but intentional people who understand that leadership success is simply performance.
“We arrived here as different versions of ourselves, and now we’re leaving, carrying a piece of each other. To every graduating student, thank you for every sacrifice you made that nobody saw and for every time you chose responsibility over convenience,” she said.
Pedro-Dimas encouraged members of the society to sustain the culture of excellence, service and humanity they had embraced at the university.
She urged them not to “let the love to achieve to erode them of the lessons they have received from AUN,” but instead continue building communities where people are valued, supported and transformed.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of awards and certificates to graduating members in recognition of their dedication, leadership and commitment to service.
