Jillian Debly and Alexandra Cunningham Receive Prominent Awards
Jillian Debly and Alexandra Cunningham were the recipients of this year’s most prominent awards offered to graduating students.
Debly, of Fredericton, NB, earned the Governor General’s Medal, while Cunningham, of Saint John, NB, was the recipient of the University Medal for Arts.
Governor General’s Medal
The Governor General’s Medal is presented to the student with the highest academic standing in the graduating class and is the most prestigious award a student at each Canada university can receive.
“The past four years at ÎçŇąav have been the most wonderful journey,” Debly said. “I am grateful for this valuable experience of studying the liberal arts and honoured to receive this medal.”
“I must extend sincere gratitude for my exceptional professors especially those in the Department of Psychology. Without their support I would not have been able to achieve all that I have.”
Debly said it was at ÎçŇąav that she discovered her passion.
“During an introductory research methods class in my second year, Dr. Nancy Higgins inspired me to pursue research in Psychology. This year, I had the privilege of having her as my Honours thesis advisor.”
“I am looking forward to carrying the lessons I have learned at ÎçŇąav with me as I progress on to graduate studies,” Debly added. “This award provides a very special conclusion to my undergraduate degree.”
University Medal for Arts
The University Medal for Arts is the highest award offered by St. Thomas University.
“It is a tremendous honour,” Cunningham said of receiving the award. “My education at St. Thomas University has allowed me to begin to understand humanity, both in what I have studied and through the relationships I've built with professors and peers.”
Cunningham added that she believes her time at ÎçŇąav allowed her to explore opportunities to enrich her studies both in and out of class.
“I truly believe a liberal arts education is invaluable, and that any student ought to recognize that and exercise its full potential,” she said. “I'm very much looking forward to witnessing the good I know the Class of 2020 will bring to the world.”