Alexander Knysh, chair of the Near Eastern Studies Department, poses with LSA students Paige Butler, Julie Knackstedt and David Matz April 14. The department won the LSA Student Government’s annual Departmental Excellence Award. Responses from students showed the department was concerned with providing for its students and offering as many courses and resources as possible, Knackstedt says. (Photo by Paul Jaronski, U-M Photo Services)