Glendon celebrates its top students

Above: From left, Associate Principal (student services) Rosanna Furgiuele, Associate Principal (academic & research) Françoise Mougeon, Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts; York University Registrar Joanne Duklas

Glendon’s Office of Student Services hosted the college’s annual celebration of its highest academic achievers at a reception Sept. 28.

Glendon Principal Kenneth McRoberts welcomed students and their families to this annual event and outlined the exciting new projects underway on campus, specifically the construction of the new building adjacent to York Hall, now in full swing. “The new building will open wonderful new opportunities for the Glendon community by providing state-of-the-art facilities and extra space to accommodate our growing student population”, said McRoberts.

Rosanna Furgiuele, associate principal student services, welcomed the event’s special guests: Joanne Duklas, associate vice-president enrolment management and University registar, and Pat Brodie and Karen Edson, executive members of Living and Learning in Retirement (LLIR), a dedicated and much-valued donor of Glendon student scholarships. Marie-Thérèse Chaput, director of  advancement for Glendon, and Peter Wilson associate director of York Scholarships and Awards, were also in attendance.

Above: Scholarship winner Kristy Weenen (second from left) with (left to right) her mother Michelle Weenen, aunt Heather Parsons (BA Hons. ’95), and grandparents Donna and Rodger Parsons

“You are the builders of a better tomorrow,” said Furgiuele of the student achievers in the room. “You can become anything you want to be if you work hard enough, if you believe in yourself and if you are committed to your goals. As scholarship recipients, you have already shown that you have what it takes to succeed.”

Furgiuele said Glendon’s scholarship winners came from across Canada and around the world, including an International Circle of Scholars winner from Nicaragua, and International Scholarship winners from Colombia, Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other important scholarship winners include Harris Steel entrance scholarship recipients from Quebec, and nine Bank of Montreal (BMO) entrance scholarship winners from across Canada.

“Add these students to the several hundred scholarship winners from Ontario, including President’s Scholarship winners, a Provost Scholarship winner, Continuing Student Scholarship winners, and you can see that Glendon is a vibrant community of intellectually minded individuals,” added Furgiuele. “Glendon students have received over one million dollars in scholarships and bursaries so far. This is a truly great start to the academic year! ”

Above: From left, LLIR executive members Pat Brody and Karen Edson with Glendon Student Financial Services Manager Fiona Kay

Kristen Pennington – scholarship winner, active community member and Glendon don – told the audience that students should be active on campus and have fun, while completing their studies. “When you graduate from Glendon, you might not remember the history lessons or math equations, but there is no doubt that you will remember the extracurricular activities in which you have participated.”

Furgiuele suggested that students should take chances, try out new ideas and take advantage of all the opportunities offered. “I encourage you to be open to various kinds of learning. Make the universe your university”, she said.

Submitted by Marika Kemeny, Glendon communications officer