Someone walking past the Jack Morton Auditorium Saturday evening might have mistaken the event there for a Hollywood-caliber awards show.

The Black Heritage Celebration Committee hosted the Multicultural Student Awards last weekend, which recognized student organizations and specific individuals who have made an impact in the multicultural community. About 100 people attended the event, which lasted about an hour.

“This is the first, hopefully annual Multicultural Awards Ceremony,” said sophomore Nikki Lane, co-chair of the Black Heritage Celebration Committee.

Awards were handed out in 14 categories at the ceremony Saturday evening and 13 awards were given earlier in the evening. Sophomore Toochi Ngwangwa said students were able to vote for peers they thought deserved to be recognized.

“This is very Oscar,” said Michael Tapscott, Director of the Multicultural Student Service Center, referring to the film award show. “We’re digging this.”

Along with Director of the Student Activities Center Tim Miller, Tapscott accepted the award for the Best Community Service Project. Miller and Tapscott organized the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, an event sponsored by the Office of Community Service.

Other awards include the Most Promising Freshman award, given to Elizabeth Acervedo, and Best Collaboration, awarded to the Black Women’s Forum and Black Men’s Initiative for their Battle of the Sexes basketball game.

The Black Student Union won the coveted Family Tree Award, an honor given to the most culturally inclusive organization.

Shannon Holmes, a junior and president of the Black Student Union, accepted the award for Student Leader of the Year.

“It’s good to be recognized but I have to recognize others,” she said.

“I came tonight because I’m part of the committee and to support the multicultural community,” sophomore Abisola Okanlawon said. “It’s important to recognize contributions.”