Five students were awarded Convocation Prizes for outstanding academic achievement in 2006-2007 at a reception on Nov. 19 hosted by the Department of French Studies in the Faculty of Arts.
Ana Matustik received the Donald Jackson Book Prize, given to a graduating student with an average of B+ or above in their French studies courses and at least two As in French courses during the past academic year. The Hédi Bouraoui Essay Prize for best dissertation written by a third- or fourth-year student went to Nyla Narinesingh.
Elisa Colona was awarded the David M. Walker Memorial Award, worth $1,000, and David Morsillo received the Department of French Studies Award, worth $650. Ben Chérette was awarded the General Consulate of France Prize awarded for exceptional participation in cultural activities outside the University.
Christian Marjollet, faculty member in the Department of French Studies, welcomed Joël Savary, cultural attaché of the French Consulate in Toronto, as a special sponsor of one of the prizes.
Right: French studies student award winners with Marilyn Lambert-Drache (back row, centre), associate dean of student relations in the Faculty of Arts
Marjollet expressed his pride at how this small department is so active. He highlighted the opportunities available to York French studies students which includes taking part in the FrancoFans student club – a student-run French speaking social club, being able to study abroad in Bordeaux and Paris as well work in France upon graduation.
Six other students also received departmental prizes for outstanding academic achievement in each of the three areas of the French studies curriculum – language, literature and linguistics. Recipients of these prizes are selected from all four levels of study with the Chair’s Prize being awarded to the top graduating French studies student.
Maria Oliva received the Chair’s Prize, while the fourth-year Language Prize went to Narinesingh, the fourth-year Linguistics Prize was given to Erinda Semanjaku, the fourth-year Literature Prize was awarded to Andrea Ciologariu, the third-year Prize went to Sari Goldfluss, the second-year prize was received by Robert Ross, with the first-year prize going to Valerie Fonceca.
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