Looking back on the school’s legacy with the Yale-NUS Kingfisher Awards Ceremony

Every year, to recognise the contribution of members of the Yale-NUS community—faculty, staff, and students —to the College, Yale-NUS hosts the annual Kingfisher Awards Ceremony. The final set of Kingfisher Awards were given out on Monday, 14 April 2025 at the President’s apartment, closing a cherished chapter in the College’s history.

As we celebrate the final Kingfisher Awards, we spotlight three recipients whose work exemplifies the spirit of service and dedication at Yale-NUS.

The Distinguished Student Leader Award honours a student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in student organisations or administration. This year’s recipient, Vivienne Su (Class of 2025), has been an active part of the College community since her first year.

“Throughout my time at Yale-NUS, I never really thought about recognition—as long as the people I was doing things for were happy, that was enough for me,” Vivienne said. “That said, I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award. It means a lot to know that my efforts have made a difference in our community.”

Vivienne has been involved in a range of student groups, including Badminton, Basketball, Brewhouse (a student run café), Climbing, Ultimate Frisbee, and the Yale-NUS Scuba Environments Association (YNSEA), serving on the executive committees (ExCos) for Brewhouse, Badminton, and YNSEA since her second year.

She recalls her time at Brewhouse with particular fondness, having been active for all four years and seen the organisation grow from a cart in Elm Courtyard into a full operation at Cafe Agora.

“At our final Brewhouse gathering, the graduating seniors on the ExCo were surprised with a collection of heartfelt messages from our baristas and the wider Yale-NUS community,” she reminisced. “It reminded me of the kind of community we’ve built together and showed me that the effort we poured into this space truly mattered.”

In addition to her work with student organisations, Vivienne served on the organising committee for Yale-NUS’ annual Tape Days concert. “Every semester, I’d joke that I was doing too much and that this might be the one that finally breaks me,” she quipped.

Through it all, Vivienne credits her friends for helping her stay afloat. She hopes to be remembered as someone who gave wholeheartedly to Yale-NUS and contributed to its legacy.

The Commitment to Wellness and Well-Being Award went to the Nest, the last remaining buttery in operation during the College’s final year. Previously, Yale-NUS had two other butteries: Shiner’s Diner in Elm College and the Shiok Shack in Saga College, which closed in earlier academic years.

The buttery staff served late-night meals on Mondays and Thursdays, creating a space of warmth and connection, with their final bash coinciding with the awards ceremony.

Rachel Handoko (Class of 2025), a manager, reflected that “It is a testament not only to the hard work and effort that the team has put in throughout our final year of college, but also to all the other buttery teams over the years that have poured their heart into making a space worthy of this award. Especially in a community where food is so abundant, I am grateful that we can contribute to the well-being of the students, one bowl at a time.”

“Running the buttery often involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work,” added fellow manager Ng Shu Yun (Class of 2025), who previously worked at Shiner’s Diner before shifting to the Nest this year. “It felt like a quiet nod that the late nights of serving food meant as much to people as it did us.”

The buttery held deep significance for its members. Mitchel Yap (Class of 2025) described set up time as a kind of therapy. “Seeing people’s reactions to what we’re serving that night always makes the long hours of prep and scrubbing the floors constantly worth it.”

Buttery member, Karel Nareswara Devananda (Class of 2025), added that he hoped the buttery would be remembered as “a space of togetherness” where people were able to bond over food and take a break from their numerous commitments.

“If we helped make someone’s university life a little warmer or more bearable,” concluded Shu Yun, “then I think we did okay!”

Last but not least, the Unsung Hero Award recognises faculty or staff who have quietly made a significant impact on student-led initiatives. This year’s award was presented to Andy Loe, the associate director of Campus Life. Loe describes his work as supporting student life in the college, to help create a “vibrant and meaningful experience outside the classroom.”

Although Associate Director Loe initially oversaw Athletics and Recreation, he found himself stepping up to a larger role, as staff transitions happened after the closure was announced.

“I felt a deep responsibility to uphold the Yale-NUS experience for our students,” said Associate Director Loe of his decision. “I just wanted to be there for them, but what surprised me was how supported I felt in return – by both colleagues and students.”

When speaking about his work, Associate Director Loe has a humble and grounded perspective. He emphasises how he has always focussed on doing what was expected of him, and is grateful of the appreciation others have for him.

“I hope to be remembered for my unwavering support for students — always being there to make their journey a little easier,” said Associate Director Loe. “Whether it’s through sports, leadership, or just everyday conversations, I’ve tried to share my experiences to help them find clarity in their own paths. If I’ve played even a small part in their growth and self-discovery, then I’ve done what I came here to do.”

Congratulations to all the winners for the recognition of their years of dedication serving the Yale-NUS College community.

The full list of award categories and winners are listed below: