Nora Georgieva, class of 2009, was among the honored students at the sixteenth annual Honors Convocation ceremony on April 12, 2009. She was given the award for

Outstanding Achievements in Journalism and Mass Communication "for providing strong leadership in the student media.”

The award came as appreciation for her diverse achievements in journalism, including stints at both FlashNews and Verve, giving her experience in both online and magazine journalism. She started writing for FlashNews in her first semester at AUBG. After two years of hard work, she became a copy editor, and during her senior year Nora was editor-in-chief.

Nora didn’t limit her AUBG experience to success in journalism. Her other university community activities included Student Representative to the Board of Trustees, one of the organizers of the JMC Rocks and More Honors, and Student Representative on the Financial Affairs Committee.

“The wide range of available extra-curriculum activities from clubs to student media allows students to apply in practice their theoretical knowledge,”

Nora says.

Nora delivered a thank-you speech on behalf of AUBG students to Dimi Panitza, a long-standing friend and supporter of the University, whose family name now graces the AUBG library – the Panitza Library. At the official dedication ceremony held on May 16, 2009, she addressed herself to Panitza thus:

“On behalf of all students, I would like to thank John Dimitry Panitza for his enormous support, not only by contributing so much for us to have this rich library collection, but also for his constant efforts to further improve every aspect of AUBG.

However, what is even more important is that

all his actions are motivated by a strong, unconditional love for AUBG and everything it stands for,

and also belief in the abilities and potential of us, the students. We all know that no matter what resources you may have at hand, sometimes nothing works better than having someone tell you that you can do it. Well, Dimi has been telling the AUBG community we can do it and encouraging us all to try harder and stay positive ever since the university was first established. So it is very fitting, and, in fact, the only option, to name this wonderful library after him. In this building students not only have access to an astounding vault of knowledge but also have the right conditions to communicate and inspire each other, just as Dimi does and has been doing for us.”