Presentation Remarks:

“Ali, one of your professors says that you ‘shine in the classroom.’ But it is clear from your record at Denison that the light you generate beams out across the campus through your music, your leadership, and your embrace of diversity and dialogue at our College. As a double major in history and music performance, you have creatively linked your interest in European history with your musical talents through projects that have blended the two. For example, your received a Young Scholar award for the study of anti-Semitism and the appropriations of Richard Wagner’s music, the product of which your faculty supervisor called ‘analytically sophisticated.’

“In the realm of music your ubiquitous performances over the past four years have earned you the right to be called the ‘College’s violinist.’ As early as your first year here you were catapulted into the role of concertmaster of the Denison University Orchestra, a position you have held all four years. You have become known as the ‘go to’ person for College events, from providing background music at a wide variety of gatherings to performing for prospective students. And you have been invaluable at Vail Arts events where you have enthusiastically and faithfully served as usher and special assistant to the Director.

“Finally, and significantly, you have played a trail-blazing role in bringing groups together in honest and forthright conversation about living together amidst our differences and in celebration of them.  You were co-founder of Sustained Dialogue, a group that has worked diligently to engage persons of diverse backgrounds and views for productive discussion. Thus it was no surprise to see yours among the names of the 2008 Denison Distinguished Service awardees.

“Ali, in your career at Denison you have made music in more ways than one, as your many contributions to the College attest. As you embark on your Master of Accounting studies at the Ohio State University’s Fisher School of Business, we wish you well and trust you know that we are genuinely grateful for all that you have given to Denison.”

Student Achievements:

Dean's List; Distinguished Leadership Award; Phi Beta Kappa; Foster G. McGaw Endowed Scholarship in the Fine Arts; Department of History - Fellow; Honors Program; Phi Alpha Theta (International History Honor Society); Omicron Delta Kappa (National Leadership Society); Phi Society; Summer Scholars Program - Young Scholar; Department of Music - Stage Manager; Denison Orchestra-Concertmaster, Orchestra Manager; Sustained Dialogue - Co-Founder, Treasurer, Leadership Team, Moderator; Vail Series - Intern, Usher; Denison University New Music Society - Founder; The Denisonian - Inside Story Editor, Assistant News Editor; Denison Community Association - Legal Aid Member