Senior Clara Yuhn of the Boston University women’s ice hockey team received the Leila Saad Award over commencement weekend. The award is presented annually to one student being inducted into the Scarlet Key Honor Society, and Yuhn is the first student-athlete to receive this honor.
The Leila Saad Award recognizes retired Assistant Dean of Students Leila Saad, whose contributions and generosity impacted many students during her time at Boston University. Saad began her career at BU in 1977 and became known for her community-building efforts across campus. She served in several roles, including founding director of what is now called the Educational Resource Center, faculty member at the College of Communication teaching courses such as “Acting for the Non-Theater Major,” and advisor to Stage Troupe. After retiring from BU in 2001, she moved to Cairo, Egypt.
Saad was described by members of the university community as “a whirlwind of excitement and enthusiasm,” “a (be)loved woman here at the University,” “the czar of students,” and “Leila the irreplaceable.” In 1997, she received an Honorary Scarlet Key Award.
The award aims to celebrate Saad’s legacy by honoring an inductee for leadership, commitment, and dedication to improving life at BU through action. According to those familiar with its purpose, it is awarded to “the inductee who may be considered the ‘most scarlet of Scarlet Key.'”
