Glendon's scholarship recipients were honoured at the college's annual awards ceremony on Sept. 21 in the historic Glendon Hall ballroom.
The number of scholarship recipients reached new heights this year with 335 students receiving awards. New and returning students were celebrated as parents and family members looked on. In her welcoming address, Louise Lewin, associate principal (student affairs), praised the quality of Glendon's students, with close to 20 per cent of the total enrolment receiving one or more awards, and over $700,000 disbursed in scholarships so far this year. She said strong support from professors and student services on campus enables students to fulfill their highest potential.
Left: Louise Lewin addresses Glendon scholarship recipients
Lewin gave special recognition to members of the independent Living & Learning in Retirement program (LLIR), housed at Glendon, for their generous financial support of the students by contributing significant funds for scholarships. "Many thanks are also due to the LLIR members for their outstanding moral support of individual students," said Lewin. "By inviting students far from home for holiday dinners, afternoon teas, and outings into the city and beyond, the LLIR continues to demonstrate exceptional citizenship and community spirit." Lewin also thanked the Friends of Glendon (FoG) for their continued financial contribution to scholarships and bursaries, distributing over $100,000 each year.
Françoise Boudreau, associate principal (academic & research), added her own welcome, and some words of advice to the students. "Make the universe your university," said Boudreau. "Try new things, acquire new experiences, take courses in a variety of subjects, keep your eyes open to what is around you." She highlighted the international composition of the award recipient group and confirmed that of the five International Circle scholarships given out at York this year, two went to Glendon students: Sian D'Abadie from Trinidad and Tobago, and Juan Llamas Rodriguez from Mexico. Angela Khakali of Kenya received one of the three York scholarships in the International Scholarship Program for West Africa and Kenya, worth $25,000. There were also five Harris scholarships and 10 BMO Financial Group awards distributed this year to students at Glendon.
The student speaker at the award ceremony was Lauren Cumming, an international studies student at Glendon. Cumming has just returned from a year-long exchange in Spain and is one of the first recipients of a Harris Steel Entrance Scholarship. (The scholarship, established in 2003 by York University benefactor Milton Harris, was created to encourage gifted students from British Columbia and Alberta to study in Ontario and thereby promote Canadian unity.) In her remarks, Cumming, originally from British Columbia, said: "Life has a way of working out. This small campus has provided me with more than I could imagine." She also described her exchange to Madrid, Spain, as a tremendous experience and a great success.
Among this year's award recipients, Patricia Hennelly-Krijgsman, a student majoring in international studies, is the winner of a Glendon Entrance Scholarship as well as a Study Abroad Scholarship. "What drew me to Glendon was its small size, where you don't feel like you are being processed in a factory," said Hennelly-Krijgsman. "I want to be able to talk to my profs and hope to improve my French."
Right: Patricia Hennelly-Krijgsman (left), Mina Kneževic and Sebastian de Kloet
Teresa Krijgsman, mother of Patricia Hennelly-Krijgsman added: "We are so proud of Patricia and very pleased with her choice. Glendon represents what's best in Canada, an opportunity to learn both official languages and a great deal more about this country. And we love the beautiful campus – such a great environment for learning."
Award winner Mina Kneževic, a business economics student and an aspiring accountant, feels that "smaller classes mean more attention to the individual and a better chance for success."
Sebastian de Kloet, who is majoring in business economics and is an award recipient, added, "I was looking for a school offering an education in politics, international studies, business and French. Glendon was the perfect fit for my plans of a career in external affairs. And the new graduate program in public affairs will be a real option by the time I graduate."
Lisa Komar, a student majoring in international studies and history, has been the recipient of a President's Scholarship and Continuing Student Scholarship four years in a row and has received both for high academic achievement. "I feel that I am getting an excellent education here," said Komar, "and I have really enjoyed the past 3 years. I am planning to go on to a master's in international studies and possibly work for the government."
Right: Lisa Komar
Meekaaeel Jones, an English and drama major and a recipient of an entrance scholarship, said "I am considering going into teaching. Glendon held a certain flair for me and I wanted the bilingual opportunity offered here."
Each year, the Glendon event is organized by Fiona Kay, manager of student financial services and her team, and hosted by the Office of Student Affairs, under the leadership of Lewin.
This article was submitted to YFile by Glendon communications officer Marika Kemeny.