Mark Persaud, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., has been recognized as “Student of the Block” at Tusculum College for his campus leadership.
The college’s Office of Student Affairs recently recognized Persaud with its “Student of the Block” award for the third block of the fall semester during a brief ceremony. He was presented a plaque detailing his achievements and campus involvement by Jacqui Elliott, vice president for enrollment management. The plaque will be displayed on the “Wall of Honor” outside of the Student Affairs Office.
Persaud is described on the plaque as having achieved “the pinnacle of engagement and involvement as a highly regarded leader, motivator, and supporter of Tusculum College.” Elliott, who nominated Persaud for the award, said of him, “He truly cares about other people and puts others needs in front of his own. He lives the mission of the college as it should be. He has single-handedly improved student engagement on so many levels … spending countless hours volunteering his time and talent.”
A senior pre-physical therapy and sports science major, Persaud encourages his fellow students to take an active interest in their educational experience through involvement and engagement in activities and organizations on campus. He leads by example. He is president of the Student Activities Board, co-captain of the college’s Cheerleading Squad, and a member of the President’s Society.
Persaud is also manager of the Tusculum College pool, student intern in the Office of Student Affairs, and a senior work study student for the college’s Bookstore. He served as a student intern in the Office of Student Affairs last summer and has been an orientation leader for the past four years. He was voted 2008 Homecoming King by his fellow students.
Persaud’s ambition is to become a physical therapist and a massage therapist. He also intends to have a later career in hospitality and hotel management. After graduating in December, Persaud has joined the Tusculum staff as a student life coordinator in the Office of Student Affairs, where his responsibilities will include coordination of intramural recreational opportunities for students.
The “Student of the Block” award is a program of the Office of Student Affairs to honor Tusculum students who excel not only in their academics but are also active on campus and in service to the community. Nominations for the award are sought from the campus community. A student is recognized each academic block. Tusculum operates on a focused calendar in which students take one class per a three-and-a-half week period, a block. The academic year is divided into eight blocks, four per semester.