Perdita Das

Perdita Das made her presence felt at UB through being an exemplary model student and leader, highlights including her presidencies of Club India, Himalayan Club and U-BET. She achieved a balance of all of her endeavors while at UB via a transformation of her initial culture shock through people encountered, events experienced and responsibilities managed.

In 2008, her family moved from Bangladesh's capital of Dhaka to Chicago, Illinois, and Das started attending UB that autumn needing only three years to graduate due to acquiring credits during high school. Das admitted to being introverted with an emphasized focus on her classes due to cultural variances and choosing to be selective of her actions because she did not want to make rash decisions with her newfound independence.

The person Das cited as her main support and best friend throughout her college experience since they met at orientation was Karen Jones, who helped Das break through her initial culture shock. Although Jones attended UB for just a single semester, they are still in contact and supporting each other to this day.

"Even though she lives in Boston and I am here at UB, if I have missed meals and she finds out, she would call Domino's from Boston and thirty minutes later they would be at my door with pizza," Das said. "I am really grateful to UB because I met Karen here."

The Festival of Lights held during the 2008 fall semester hosted by the Himalayan Club was the first on campus event Das was a part of, inspiring her to become the treasurer of the Himalayan Club the following semester. She simultaneously revived Club India after three years of dormancy as its president and the newly reformed club won the 33rd Annual International Festival, which according to Das opened the door for everything else.

In the 2009 fall semester, Das became the Residential Advisor of Barnum Hall where she tended to a myriad of students as well as dormitory related tasks such as monthly bulletin boards that revived her art skills after ten years of inattention. Das explained that her experiences as a residential advisor, in combination with her academic and extracurricular responsibilities, taught her how to manage time and achieve balance in her life.

"Perdita Das has been an integral part of UB campus life," Director of Campus Activities and Community Services Colleen Powers said. "She has worked with a variety of groups and programs including International Festival, U-BET, International Student Services Office and Residential Life. Perdita has earned the trust and respect of her fellow students through her diligence, positive outlook and conscientious nature. She has been outstanding to work with."

She was recognized by UB for her contributions at the 2011 Student Leadership Recognition Banquet with the President's Award, which according its description is awarded to a graduating student who has made outstanding contributions to the University community through exemplary service and participation in various areas of student life. Das plans to come back to UB to study for an M.B.A. in International Business and work as an orientation leader.