The Paul Lynch Alumni Volunteer Award recognizes candidates annually who have shown outstanding voluntary service to the Saint Mary's University Alumni Association.
All University employees and members of the Saint Mary's University Alumni Association may submit a one-page letter of recommendation for a candidate, illustrating their suitability for this award. A completed Alumni Awards Nomination Form must accompany the letter.
Selection Candidates are considered annually by the Saint Mary's University Alumni Association's Awards & Nomination Committee.
Timeline The nomination period for the 2024 Alumni Awards is now closed.
2024 Recipients
Omena Babalola MBA'92The first recipient is Omena Babalola, Master of Business Administration 1992. Omena’s journey exemplifies pushing limits and reaching for excellence. While at Saint Mary's University, she not only earned her degree but also set track records that continue to inspire.
Omena is a dedicated community leader and advocate for Saint Mary's University. She has significantly impacted student success through her involvement with the Arthur L. Entrepreneurship Centre. She offers valuable insights and mentorship to students and recent graduates via the Alumni in Residence and Ignition programs.
After graduation, she used her principles of hard work and resilience in her career as a professional auditor and board member for various organizations in Winnipeg.
Omena is committed to empowerment and education, focusing on leadership and personal development in both her community and at Saint Mary’s. She actively participates in initiatives that support girls, women, and underrepresented groups, making a lasting impact on many lives.
Emo Ikede MBA’13
Emo Ikede is a proud Saint Mary’s MBA graduate from the Class of 2013. He founded EjiTech in 2002 to help individuals and businesses manage finances and enhance productivity through coaching, workshops, and online courses. Passionate about financial empowerment, Emo believes everyone has a unique skill or passion to pursue. With an MBA, PMP certification, and expertise in IT and social media, he helps clients solve problems and boost profits. Notably, in 2019, he donated 9,000 copies of his book “How Students Save Over $10,000 A Year” to help Grade 12 students transition to post-secondary education.
Emo never hesitates at an opportunity to give back to SMU, whether it be volunteering as an Honour Guard at convocation, mentoring students or speaking at an event. A proud supporter of Saint Mary's University, Emo has contributed to the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre through initiatives like the Ignition Program and as a Professional-In-Residence. He clearly exemplifies his commitment and dedication to student success.
In his free time, Emo enjoys tennis, squash, chess, and is a budding real-estate & equity investor. He is married to his sweetheart, and they have an energetic daughter, who is a first-year SMU student.
Past Recipients: