Each year at convocation, MacEwan University recognizes the outstanding achievements of our graduates with academic awards. Here are the award recipients for the Spring Class of 2022.

President’s Medal for Academic Excellence and Student Leadership

The President’s Medal recognizes students for their exemplary combination of academic achievement and contribution to the betterment of MacEwan University. Medal recipients are graduates who demonstrate the best qualities of a MacEwan student by maintaining a high grade point average while demonstrating leadership through active participation in university-wide committees, groups, organizations or extra-curricular activities. One medal may be awarded to a graduating student in a certificate or diploma program and one medal to a graduating student in a degree program.

ELAINE TRAN
Bachelor of Arts, Honours Sociology
President’s Medal for Academic Excellence and Student Leadership

When I applied for early admission at MacEwan’s Open House and was accepted, I called my dad. I was on the verge of tears because it meant something special for me to be the first in my immediate family to attend a post-secondary institution. My dad has always been my greatest inspiration. He was 20 when he arrived in Canada after the war in Vietnam – just two years younger than I am now. I often compare his experience to my own. 

My original plan was to pursue social work, but I enjoyed sociology so much that I chose to pursue a Bachelor of Arts. I have always asked many “why” questions, and sociology allowed me to take a step back to look at the bigger picture or through a wider lens and find answers.

But that first year of university was difficult. Most of my friends chose different schools, so I felt very isolated and alone. I wanted to meet new people and make friendships – the kind you see in movies about university – so I decided to join a student group. Back then, the Vietnamese students' group only had three members, including me, but we worked hard planning and facilitating events to connect domestic and international students. I built friendships, learned about my culture and discovered the history and legacy of student alliances created by the first Vietnamese refugees all over the world. 

Once I found my niche, I continued getting more involved on campus with the Students’ Association of MacEwan University’s (SAMU’s) volunteer programs and in the Office of Human Rights, Diversity, and Equity’s first cohort of Champions of Diversity and Equity (C.O.D.E.) training. And those experiences led to more – working as an international program guide for a group of students from Mexico, as a peer health educator and for three years as a tutor in the Writing Centre. 

I experienced so much personal and professional growth there. When I was taking SOCI 271: Introduction to the Family, we had to do a book review and only a select few would be published. I spoke with one of my supervisors about my approach and she was so excited she bought the book I was reviewing so she could read it. When I received 100 per cent on that assignment, I rushed to the centre to let everyone know. I remember all of us jumping for joy in our small office. I felt so empowered, happy and supported. 

The culmination of my many experiences as a student – including experiencing loneliness and isolation in my first year and needing support – made me want to advocate for other students, empower them and enhance their experience. So over the next year, I will continue my term as vice-president of Student Life at SAMU.

After that, I plan to continue with graduate studies in social work – becoming a registered social worker has been my goal since high school – but now my plan is to work with older adults. I want to be able to advocate for better health and well-being for older adults, including my dad.

– Elaine Tran

Governor General’s Silver Medal (Degree)

The Governor General’s Silver Medal is awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall academic standing based on their Graduation Grade Point Average (GGPA) in a degree-level program. This medal is awarded at Spring Convocation.

• Hannah Gibb, Faculty of Arts and Science

Governor General’s Bronze Medal (Diploma)

The Collegiate Bronze medal is awarded to the student who achieves the highest overall academic standing based on their Graduation Grade Point Average (GGPA) in a diploma-level program (minimum two-year, full-time duration). This medal is awarded at Spring Convocation.

• Angela Schroeder, Faculty of Health and Community Studies

Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence

The Dean’s Medal is each faculty or school’s highest academic honour. Each dean may award one medal to a graduating student in a certificate or diploma program and one medal to a graduating student in a degree program. Medal recipients are recognized by the dean for their exemplary success in meeting the learning challenges and academic requirements of their programs of study.

• Mydhel Ebora, School of Business
• Alysha Musani, School of Business
• Himani Sharma, School of Continuing Education
• Regan Manz, Faculty of Nursing
• Payden Unrau, Faculty of Nursing
• Meghan Karkanis, Faculty of Health and Community Studies
• Stephanie Matson, Faculty of Health and Community Studies
• Shae McMullin, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications
• Chantal Boudreau, Faculty of Fine Arts and Communications
• Jessica Touznik, Faculty of Arts and Science