Campus leaders and members of the community who actively promote student life at the University of Guelph were celebrated at the 2010 Student Life Recognition Banquet held March 25.
“These annual awards honour people who have made a lasting difference in the lives of our students and in fostering the relationship between our campus and the greater community,” says event organizer Shannon Thibodeau, leadership education and development advisor in Student Life. “Our campus and community are filled with people who do incredible work, without thought of being recognized. It’s a joy to meet a few of these individuals and be able to thank them for their efforts.”
This year’s recipient of the R.P. Gilmor Award is fourth-year marketing management student Gavin Armstrong. On campus, Armstrong has demonstrated leadership as a member of the Central Student Association (CSA) executive and as a student representative on the Board of Governors and U of G Senate. He is also co-president of U of G’s undergraduate chapter of Net Impact, an international non-profit organization that promotes leadership in business.
Net Impact co-founder Marena Brinkhurst took home the Brian D. Sullivan Student Leadership Award, presented to a graduating student who has made significant contributions to student leadership on campus. Brinkhurst, who studied environmental economics at U of G, has been a student senator and has been involved with OPIRG-Guelph, served as a mentor to international students through the University’s LINK program and participated in Project Serve.
The André Auger Citizenship Award, which goes to an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated a sense of responsibility and commitment to the community, went to bio-medical science master’s student Andrea Hunt. She volunteered at the Guelph General Hospital and St. John Ambulance and was involved with the Bio-Medical Science Students’ Association, the Wellness Program and peer helper Programs.
Also honoured were Candy MacNeil, the recipient of the Emilie Hayes Award for Community Partnerships; John Sakaluk, the Roberta Mason Award; Larissa Ravel, the Accessibility Award; the 2009 Orientation Team, the Student Life Impact Award; and Molly Heffernan, the Liz Honegger Student Volunteer Award.
Profs. Robin Milhausen, Family Relations and Applied Nutrition, and Brady Deaton, Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics, were each awarded a CSA Teaching Excellence Award.
In addition, four organizations received Gordon Nixon Leadership Awards, which provide funding for new initiatives that enhance student life. Recipients are the group Business Leaders of Tomorrow for its “Leaders of Tomorrow” initiative, the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare Student Chapter for an animal welfare extension program, the CSA for a student help and advocacy centre, and Net Impact to develop a plan for increasing the level of local food sold at the Bullring.