Royal Roads celebrates Fall 2024 Convocation award winners
From graduating among the top in their class to exemplifying qualities including leadership, sustainability and inclusion, these Fall 2024 graduates are outstanding scholars in their fields. Read on to find out more about our distinguished student award winners.
Governor General’s Gold Medal
Master of Arts in Learning and Technology graduate Angela Frawley receives the Governor General’s Gold Medal in recognition of her thesis, “Etuaptmumk: Two-Eyed Seeing, Indigenous Educator Lived Experience, and Speculative Futures for Education,” which highlights the need for transformative change in education by exploring the experiences of Indigenous educators in Ontario.
This highly prestigious award recognizes a student at each of Canada's public Universities twice a year for having presented the most outstanding dissertation, thesis, or graduate research project.
“As an Indigenous educator working in public education in Ontario, Canada, I am proud of this accomplishment because it is an acknowledgment of hard work and dedication to an important cause,” Frawley says. “I will strive to continue this work by contributing in meaningful and authentic ways toward positive change for education.”
Royal Roads also recognizes the following candidates for receiving a nomination for the Governor General’s Gold Medal:
- Kathryn Anne Mettler, College of Interdisciplinary Studies
- Cecile Andreas, Professional and Continuing Studies
- Karly Mackenzie Nygaard-Petersen, School of Business
- Ardhana Julie Kumar, School of Business
- Délani Jacqueline Valin, School of Communication and Culture
- Renee Helene Davies Cenerini, School of Environment and Sustainability
- Kaeli Rose Sort, School of Leadership Studies
- Ogheneukaro Irorooghene Ogbighele, School of Tourism and Hospitality
Governor General’s Silver Medal
The Governor General’s Silver Medal, presented to the graduating student who achieved the highest academic standing upon graduation from a bachelor's degree program this year, is awarded to Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice graduate, Camille Ruest. Her high academic achievement is also recognized with both the Chancellor’s and President’s Scholar awards.
“It’s a very special award for me because I put in a lot of work and sweat and tears and effort into my studies," says the former Canadian national figure skater. "In sport, you’re rewarded right away, you know right away where you stand. In academia, it’s different… This is very exciting, and it’s special because it’s my first academic recognition.”
Ruest began working earlier this fall as operations coordinator at the Centre for Ocean Applied Sustainable Technologies.
Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy, and Reconciliation
The Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy, and Reconciliation will be presented to Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies graduate Taejo Kim, who was recognized for his positive influence in group discussions while also completing an outstanding final exercise on economic discrimination against immigrant workers and their families in Canada.
“Coming from Korea, a country with its own complex colonial history, I feel a sense of connection and empathy with Indigenous communities in Canada when I learn about their history. It has been eye-opening and has strengthened my commitment to supporting equity and inclusion in my [work] role,” Kim says, who works as an international student advisor and immigration specialist Humber Polytechnic.
Royal Roads Chancellor’s Award
The university presents the Royal Roads Chancellor’s Award to graduates who achieved the highest academic performance in their undergraduate or graduate program.
Fall 2024 Chancellor’s Award recipients:
- Dawn Louise Schooler, Doctor of Business Administration
- Kristen Nicole Agnello, Doctor of Social Sciences
- Joanne Leslie Perdue, Master of Arts in Climate Action Leadership
- Brandy Lynn Gibb, Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Management
- Karen Melissa Oberer, Master of Arts in Environmental Practice
- Harriette Charmaine Schumacher-Matuk, Master of Arts in Executive and Organizational Coaching
- Diane Shernaz Pernari, Master of Arts in Intercultural and International Communication
- Gloria Michelle Fox, Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Paula Marion Insell, Master of Arts in Learning and Technology
- Iman Begum P Nanji Kassam, Master of Arts in Professional Communication
- Julianna Evelyn Louth, Master of Science in Environmental Practice
- Camille Ruest, Bachelor of Arts/Science in Environmental Practice
- Jince Ma, Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism Management
- Elishia Joslyn Boyd, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Vu Thien Nguyen, Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management
- Isabella Maryanne Kiss, Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
- Pearl Eden Suertegosa de la Fuente, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Brett Charles Casorzo, Bachelor of Business Administration in Innovation and Sustainability
- Maia Jane Schumacher, Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management
- Aicha Colomba Hezit, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Founders’ Award
The Royal Roads Founders’ Award is presented to a student or a small collective of students in each graduating cohort of a degree program for exemplifying the qualities of leadership, commitment to sustainability, positive and proactive work in equity, diversity and inclusion, and personal growth.
Fall 2024 Founders’ Award recipients:
- Naomi Jay Parker, Doctor of Business Administration
- Gary William Hayes, Doctor of Social Sciences
- Christopher James Lawrence, Master of Arts in Executive and Organizational Coaching
- Heather Sarah Magotiaux, Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership
- Robert Guy Ford, Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Kyla Megan Moughtin, Master of Arts in Leadership
- Darren Michael Wilson, Master of Arts in Learning and Technology
- Sonia Novello, Master of Arts in Professional Communication
- Veronica Claudina Santiago Juarez, Master of Arts in Tourism Management
- Stephanie Anne Rennie, Master of Business Administration in Executive Management
- Stella Joanne Abraham, Master of Global Management
- Kurt Russell Anderson, Master of Global Management
- Charity Kagure Njogu, Master of Global Management
- Jin Wang, Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism Management
- Yuze Jiang, Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management
- Elishia Joslyn Boyd, Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Bryant Joseph Martin, Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
- Margaret Jane Seager, Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
- Pearl Eden Suertegosa de la Fuente, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Brian Arko Ypma, Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Joshua David Brakefield, Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial
- Ryan Patrick Naraine, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
- Nicole Lynn Olive Boulton, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
President’s Scholar Award
The President’s Scholar Award is presented to students who graduate with distinction in the top 10 per cent of the graduating class in each undergraduate degree program.
Fall 2024 President’s Scholar Award recipients:
Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Elishia Joslyn Boyd
- Alexandria Sabrina Busby
Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
- Hannah Marie Anderson
- Jess Rose Connelly
- Adam Jonah Marshall Forbes
- Layla Gar
- Amy Rose Greenwood
- Khaleel Aidan Hume-Ali
- Isabella Maryanne Kiss
- Jordan James Lazarski
- Margaret Jane Seager
- Hannah Gweneth Steenkamp
- Megan Johanna Wood
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Communication
- Kristen Ellena Marie Brooke
- Alizah Claire Cameron
- Liana Pearl Fassina
- Pearl Eden Suertegosa de la Fuente
- Jennifer Christine Maria Inglis
- Sean Greory McCutcheon
- Rian Arko Ypma
Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management
- Maia Jane Schumacher
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice
- Camille Ruest
- Heidi Elizabeth Strong
- Hyo-Eun Shin
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Royal Roads University wishes to acknowledge the generosity of donors who have supported students to realize their academic and personal goals. View a complete list of awards.