Two students awarded this year’s Edward R. Appathurai Scholarship

Glendon international studies Professor Stanislav Kirschbaum announced the winners of this year’s Edward R. Appathurai Scholarship in International Studies at the 2009 John Holmes Public Lecture March 31.

This year’s winners are Mélissa Gélinas and Hannah Renglich. The two students achieved the highest average in their third year of international studies and are currently completing their final year. Edward Appathurai’s widow, Caroline Appathurai, was present at the John Holmes Public Lecture.

This year’s lecture, “From the Mackenzie Valley to Nunavut: Northern Challenges”, was given by lawyer and retired justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia Thomas R. Berger (see accompanying story).

Right: Glendon English Professor Ian Martin and Caroline Appathurai

The awards were established in memory of Professor Appathurai, a former Ceylonese diplomat who joined York in 1968, taught courses in international relations and diplomacy, and created Glendon’s International Studies Program, which has since become the Department of International Studies.

The scholarships are traditionally disbursed at the annual John Holmes Lecture. “John Holmes enjoyed immensely interacting with university students and he was particularly enthusiastic to teach those who were motivated and hard working,” said Kirschbaum. “I have no doubt that he would have found it totally appropriate to use this event to reward students who have achieved excellence in international studies.”

Submitted to YFile by Glendon communications officer Marika Kemeny