This week, the Graduate School Student Life department will host its third annual Graduate Student Appreciation Week (GSAW), recognizing graduate students for their accomplishments across campus.
“This week looks to increase awareness across the broader campus community of the presence and contributions of our graduate and professional students, and to offer opportunities for graduate and professional students to engage in activities that support their ... wellness this week and throughout the year,” program director of Graduate Student Life, Mimi Beck, said.
According to Beck, graduate students make up approximately one-third of the entire student population, and they play an integral role in the Notre Dame community by contributing to the mission of a research institution.
“From my perspective, Graduate Student Appreciation Week is a way to recognize the multifaceted life led by a grad student," Beck said.
"We are a cut above the norm – working, ministering and living in addition to studying,” graduate student Jamie Caporizo said. “It's wonderful to be recognized, and I can hold my head a bit higher knowing we are shown appreciation for all we do here at Notre Dame.”
Vice president of the Graduate School Union, Tony Cunningham, describes the week as an excellent opportunity for the student body and entire campus community to come together and acknowledge the efforts of graduate and professional students on campus.
“Notre Dame is quickly transforming into a premier research institution, and as the graduate community continues to grow and develops, it's really important for university to understand the unique needs and challenges facing graduate students,” Cunningham said. “GSAW is an opportunity to put graduate students and their needs directly at the forefront of everyones' mind for an entire week, and I know for a fact it has lasting effects year round.”
Fourth-year graduate student Aamir Kahn said he is excited increasing awareness about the important role that graduate students play in advancing the overall mission of Notre Dame.
“In academia, graduate students are often the unsung heroes, working long hours and almost always during the breaks," Kahn said. "This week gives an opportunity for the ND community to recognize and appreciate the hard work done by us graduate students. It gives us graduate students a sense of importance and appreciation that the whole ND community is not oblivious of our existence.”
The week consists of a variety of events and includes promotions for graduate students such as free food, discounts campus wide and parties.
“Needless to say, the countless dining discounts, free food and free swag that are available to only grad students throughout the week make us feel pampered,” Kahn said.
