The Student Experience Awards are presented each year to deserving undergraduate and graduate students, staff and faculty members. The awards honour the achievements and contributions of campus leaders who have made a lasting difference in students’ lives and in campus-community relations.
Although the customary banquet could not be held this year to celebrate these inspiring Gryphons, their accomplishments are worth sharing.
Recipients of the 2019 awards are listed below. Read their full stories on the Student Experience website.
André Auger Citizenship Award
Syvanne Avitzur, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
Avitzur is a community-focused student committed to creating a more inclusive Gryphon experience. Working with Through her involvement with the World University Service of Canada, Avitzur aims to advance important issues such as refugee rights and sustainable international development.
Brian D. Sullivan Student Leadership Award
Conor Russell, Ontario Agricultural College
With the guidance of the Ecumenical Campus Ministry, Russell created the Queer Christian Community, a program for LGBTQ2SIA+ students seeking an affirming faith community. It has proved to be a much-needed intersectional space on campus. Russell also volunteers off-campus to serve meals to food-insecure people in downtown Guelph.
Carl Rom Colthoff Experiential Learning Award
Cole Heasley, College of Biological Science
Through his work with Prof. Matthew Little and community partner The SEED, Heasley is focused on improving food security in Guelph. His commitment to the project motivated Heasley to choose courses that allow him to spend more time on the project while remaining a full-time student.
Diversity and Inclusion Award
Undergraduate recipient: Isaiah Burton, College of Biological Science
Burton has demonstrated strong leadership and tremendous care for U of G students. He is president of the Guelph Black Students’ Association, volunteers at the Campus Alcohol Recovery Room and served as the Interhall Council East Residence vice-president.
Graduate recipient: Sharon Wang, College of Biological Science
As co-author of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement for the Department of Integrative Biology, Wang has been recognized as an influential student leader by University administration, including the provost. Wang was a principal organizer of the Symposium for Women Entering Evolution and Ecology Today and is a graduate student representative on the GenEQ committee.
Erin Angus Graduate Student Award
Marshall Asch, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
A graduate student in the School of Computer Science, Asch is actively involved in the Society for Computing and Information Sciences and has been nominated to be a graduate student senator. Asch manages the Guelph Coding Community on campus, updating and facilitating activities with for undergraduate and graduate students, and co-led development of an environmental and health monitoring tool used in the Innuit community of Rigolet, Nunavut.
Hasnul F. Abdollah International Student Award
Swathy Sethuraman, College of Biological Science
Sethuraman is a peer helper on the International Student Experience team and a program facilitator for International House Residence Life Staff. She has been involved in programs to support international students’ mental health, academics and wayfinding.
Kishaadigeh Award & Roberta Mason Award
Jamie Horner, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
Horner has made significant positive contributions to the lives of Indigenous students on campus and in the community. A Métis graduate student and a teaching assistant, she occasionally holds office hours in the Aboriginal Resource Centre to encourage students to become familiar with the space. She belongs to the Racialized Students Constituency and supports the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences’ Indigenization efforts.
Laurie Schnarr I Am a Gryphon Award
Dima Ismail, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
As a member of the Multi-Faith Resource Team and president of the Muslim Students Association (MSA), Ismail led several important projects, including a collaboration with the Wellness Centre to establish an MSA Peer Helper Program in response to mental health concerns among Muslim students. Ismail has worked hard to find Muslim prayer spaces and to increase the availability of halal foods on campus.
R.P. Gilmor Student Life Award
Student Recipient: Carolyn Trombley, College of Biological Science
Through involvement with the Department of Integrative Biology Undergraduate Mentorship Program, Trombley has supported more than 200 undergraduate students through academic and peer programs.
Staff Recipient: Dave Easter, Department of Athletics
As manager of marketing and communications with the Department of Athletics, Easter has helped create nine Junior Gryphon teams from the City of Guelph’s minor sports programs. He fosters strong relationships between the city and the University through sport.
2019 Peer Helper Award Recipients
Katherine Elliot Scholarship
Stefanie Stockhamer, Peer Training and Networking Team
Stockhamer is recognized for her commitment to the development of others and for frequently offering creative feedback, fresh ideas and support to team members.
Lin Coburn Award
Nikan Momenbeitollahi, Intercultural Engagement
Momenbeitollahi is recognized for her contributions to the LINK and Conversation Partners programs and the Peer Helper program. Momenbeitollahi is an active volunteer for campus and community organizations.
Barbara Cardow Award
Emily Kerr, International Development Studies Ambassadors
A highly involved student, Kerr is recognized for her improvement of the IDS Ambassador Peer Helper Team. She encourages team members to broaden their horizons and to make and value connections.
Supervisor Award
Brittney McManus, Experiential Learning Hub
McManus was nominated by her Career Services Peer Helper Team for her dedication to supporting student learning. Over the past year, she developed the Experiential Learning Street Team, played a key role in launching the new College of Biological Science Career Services Peer Helper Team and developed new ways of collaborating with campus partners.
Academic Achievement (Departing Peer)
Julianah Oguntala, Student Accessibility Services
Academic Achievement (Returning Peer)
Anthony Nguyen, Wellness Education