Bhavan Panghali, a microbiology student, is the recipient of the largest undergraduate award given to an Okanagan student害羞草研究所攖he $10,000 Pushor Mitchell LLP Gold Medal Leadership Prize.

害羞草研究所淲ords can害羞草研究所檛 express how much gratitude I have for Pushor Mitchell and for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences,害羞草研究所� said Panghali. 害羞草研究所淭his prize will help me continue to give back to UBC and the Okanagan for what they have given me害羞草研究所攑assion and support for learning and pursuing my goals.害羞草研究所�

Along with being a summer research intern at the BC Cancer Agency害羞草研究所攚here she also spent much of her time volunteering害羞草研究所擯anghali was instrumental in creating the UBC Okanagan Cancer Fighter害羞草研究所檚 Club, and planning the UBC Okanagan Relay for Life害羞草研究所攔aising more than $80,000 in three years.

She is also a founding member of the first campus-wide Interdisciplinary Games taking place this September. She plans to use her Pushor Mitchell award towards medical school tuition, when she applies in 2018.

Wisdom J. Tettey, Dean of the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, says that Panghali is a worthy recipient of the prestigious prize, noting she exceeds the criteria, especially when it comes to giving back to the community.

害羞草研究所淥ver the four years that Bhavan has been at UBC, she has encouraged others to get involved through her fundraising efforts, worked to improve the lives of those affected by cancer, and inspired faculty and students alike to do their best and excel in the areas they can make a difference,害羞草研究所� said Tettey. 害羞草研究所淲e are honoured to have Bhavan as a member of the elite group of award winners.害羞草研究所�

In addition to outstanding academic achievement, the Pushor Mitchell prize is also based on demonstrated leadership. For Panghali, leadership comes in a lot of different forms.

害羞草研究所淟eadership takes a lot of courage,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淵ou should lead in what you are passionate about, not in what is expected of you. You can害羞草研究所檛 be afraid to be the first or only one. Leading is an important role, but so is supporting. We all need supporters.害羞草研究所�

James Paterson, managing partner at Pushor Mitchell LLP, says the firm is proud to support Panghali through the award.

害羞草研究所淪trong leadership is at the core of healthy, vibrant communities. We at Pushor Mitchell believe that Bhavan has demonstrated her leadership skills admirably害羞草研究所� said Paterson. 害羞草研究所淭he firm is happy to support her as she furthers her education and career and grows into an even stronger community leader.害羞草研究所�

In addition to academic achievement, to win the Gold Medal Leadership Prize candidates must demonstrate leadership in: community service or volunteerism, cross-cultural relations, promotion of diversity, intellectual pursuits, and artistic or athletic endeavours.