Undergraduate Award
Recipients Honoured

October 22, 2003

By Rachelle Cooper

Although U of G undergraduate students have been receiving awards and scholarships in college ceremonies for decades, students receiving University-wide scholarships haven't had an opportunity in the past to personally thank award donors or to be formally recognized for their achievements. On Oct. 14, students and donors were the guests of honour at the inaugural University- wide undergraduate student awards presentation at the Arboretum Centre.

Close to 150 people attended the event, including 57 undergraduate students who were recognized for their academic achievements and scholastic goals. Award donors, including individuals, families, corporations and organizations, were thanked for investing in the students' futures.

"The University salutes not only the success of the students, but also the support of our donors who make this success possible," said president Alastair Summerlee. "This year, with the help of our donors, the University will provide more than $19 million in student aid, which reflects a considerable amount of support and a commitment by the community to accessibility."

In opening remarks, chancellor Lincoln Alexander acknowledged the President's and Chancellor's Scholars and other award recipients and praised the University's scholarship and bursary program. "Recognizing leaders, encouraging success and giving help where it is needed - those are the goals of the awards program," he said.

Maureen Mancuso, acting provost and vice-president (academic), said the criteria for all these awards begin with academic excellence. "Some awards also consider other factors such as leadership qualities, extracurricular activities, community involvement and/or financial aid," she said.

Among the University representatives taking part in the awards event was food science professor Art Hill, president of the U of G Faculty Association, who presented the annual UGFA Scholarship to Rosalin Abdool of the College of Arts. Established 20 years ago, the $1,500 award goes to the student from Wellington County entering U of G with the highest admission average.

"This is really what it's all about - to recognize our students and to help them along the way," said Hill.

The United Steelworkers LU 4120 Scholarship, valued at $800, was presented by Local 4120 president Margaret Carter to Michael Carey of the College of Physical and Engineering Science, whose parents are both U of G employees and members of Local 4120.

Student wellness educator Marlene Pfaff presented the $1,000 Stephanie Wilken Volunteer Award with Wilken's father to Breanne Anderson of the College of Biological Science. This award was established in memory of Wilken, a 1995 BA graduate of Guelph who died in 1998. It is awarded annually to an undergraduate student who has been a volunteer for at least two semesters at U of G's Wellness Centre.

Bursaries or financial-needs awards were also acknowledged. One of the programs highlighted was the Central Student Association Opportunity Trust. It was created through a referendum vote in 2002 when Guelph students decided to establish an endowment fund to provide bursaries for students who need support but are ineligible for traditional forms of financial aid.

"In the 2002/2003 academic year, 36 of these bursaries, totalling $29,850, were distributed to full- and part-time undergraduate and diploma students," said political science student Josh Alcock. He noted that $30,000 will be available for the bursary program in 2003/2004.

Three new annual undergraduate awards were announced at the ceremony: the R. Douglas and Kathleen Kennedy Scholarship for OAC, the R. Douglas and Kathleen Kennedy Scholarship for the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, each valued at $1,000, and the $5,000 Mordechai Rozanski History Scholarship, which was established this summer by the Jean Rich Foundation to honour Rozanski's 10 year-term as U of G's president.