Members of York's Faculty of Fine Arts gathered at the fourth annual Fine Arts Awards Reception in October to celebrate the outstanding achievements of students and teachers.
Phillip Silver, dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, spoke about the importance of supporting and recognizing the efforts and accomplishments of students. He talked about how York’s reputation is growing which is due in part to the University’s investment in its students.
Right: Professor Leslie Korrick receives the Dean's Senior Faculty Teaching Award from Dean Phillip Silver
As part of an ongoing tradition at the reception, Silver presented the 2006-2007 Dean's Junior and Senior Faculty Teaching Awards to Professor Angela Norwood of the Faculty’s Department of Design and Professor Leslie Korrick of the Fine Arts Cultural Studies Program, respectively. These awards recognize outstanding commitment to the field of fine arts education.
The reception also celebrated the over 200 fine arts students who had already received awards in the 2006-2007 school year as well as entrance scholarships for the 2007-2008 year. The awards were funded by the University and private donors. Every year, students are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible for, as their monetary value can provide relief from the mounting costs of a university education.
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"[The awards] allow me to focus more on my studies because I am not overwhelmed about costs," said Dave Freedman (right), a third-year design student.
Freedman received a number of awards last year including the Creative Arts Student Association (CASA) Fine Arts Student Award, given to a student who demonstrates a strong record of involvement in, and positive contribution to, student government or University activities. He also received the Department of Design Scholarship, which recognizes outstanding achievement in design and goes to the top performing student.
In addition to providing financial aid, the awards offer students recognition for their hard work throughout the school year. Fourth-year music student Laura Kelly, the recipient of an Imasco Performing Arts Award, felt the recognition is important for students who spend a lot of time rehearsing and preparing for recitals and concerts.
"[They] encourage us to continue to work hard," said Kelly.
Fourth-year music student Matthew Allard (left) was the recipient of one of the most prestigious awards, the Faculty Association Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship, given to the student with the highest grade point average in the Faculty. He was pleasantly surprised to find himself at the top. His recipe for success is to "work hard" - something he has gained appreciation for after having spent time in the workforce.
Freedman also understands the value of hard work. When asked what advice he had for other students, Freedman quoted American industrialist J. Paul Getty, stating that his philosophy was to "rise early, work hard and strike oil" - something most of these students have mastered.
Story submitted to YFile by Vivian-Sofia Mora, a second-year fine arts student pursuing a double major in art history and Latin American and Caribbean studies. Photography by Phillip Ammon, a fourth-year student in the Fine Arts Cultural Studies Program who is in his second year of the concurrent program in the Faculty of Education.