On November 23, the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education celebrated the academic achievements of its undergraduate and graduate students and recognized the donors who contributed to their success.
On November 23, the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education celebrated the academic achievements of its undergraduate and graduate students and recognized the donors who contributed to their success.
In her opening remarks, President of the KPE Alumni Association Paula Paunic said she knew how much hard work and dedication was required to balance university studies with work, home life, a social life and extra-curricular activities.
“But the students being honoured here this evening have managed to pull it off with incredible grace and leadership,” she said.
Professor Ira Jacobs, Dean of KPE, spoke of the Faculty’s commitment to developing, advancing and disseminating knowledge about physical activity and health.
“Tonight we honour students who embrace that philosophy and the donors who make this possible,” he said. “Our students excel in the classroom with outstanding commitment and they go above and beyond in their communities through co-curricular activities and volunteer work. We are proud to call them our own."
Jacobs then acknowledged the generous alumni and friends who support the Faculty.
“It is because of their generosity and foresight that we are able to be here tonight, celebrating outstanding achievements in KPE.”
Sheryn Posen spoke on behalf of the donors. An R. Tait McKenzie Society member and a Tennis T-Holder, Posen established one of the Faculty’s most prestigious admission awards with her friends at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, where she was Chief Operating Officer.
“As scholarship winners, you have proven your passion for your studies,” she told the award recipients. "Now, I encourage you to extend this same keenness and energy to other aspects of your life.”
Fourth year Kinesiology student Leah Adaniel is a past recipient of the Sheryn Posen Entrance Scholarship and she has continued to excel in both her academic and leadership pursuits.
“As students of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, we are very fortunate to have access to some of the best research, training and teaching facilities in the country and the world. These awards help us to make the best use of our time, by allowing us to work fewer part-time jobs and have more time to enjoy our studies, volunteer, train, explore and create,” she said.
“These awards don’t just touch the lives of the students, but also the people we will serve, whether it be in a classroom, research lab, hospital, training centre or sporting facility.”
Graduate Student Award recipient Robert Lakin is in his final year of his PhD degree in the Department of Exercise Sciences, working on a thesis that he hopes will shed light on whether there is a threshold beyond which exercise may be maladaptive and potentially harm the heart.
“In the past decade alone, our graduate department has experienced tremendous growth in the number of graduate students, faculty members, and research space. This growth would not be possible without donations from individuals and groups who have identified the importance of vibrant and well-funded universities as an investment in our futures and the populations we will serve,” said Lakin.
“No matter what career we have in the future, we will seek to give back to help remove financial barriers and create opportunities for future generations of KPE students just as the donors have done here tonight.”