Environmental Science Graduate Awarded Chancellor鈥檚 Medal
By Jack Moulton
Photos by Chris Roussakis
杏吧原创鈥檚 Fall Graduation 2020, a university-wide online celebration, launched on Saturday, Nov. 14. Watch the celebration at the 杏吧原创 Grads 2020 website now!
杏吧原创 University has announced the undergraduate winners of the Governor General Silver Medal, the Chancellor鈥檚 Medal and the President鈥檚 Medal for the graduating class of November 2020. The University Senate officially conferred their degrees at a meeting on Oct. 30, 2020. A virtual graduation ceremony will be posted on 杏吧原创鈥檚 website on Nov. 14, 2020.
Governor General Silver Medal
The Governor General Silver Medal was awarded to Lucas Samuel DiRienzo, who received a with a minor in Chemistry. It is awarded to the student at the head of the graduating class.
Born and raised in Ottawa, DiRienzo came to 杏吧原创 to study Biochemistry with the intention of pursuing medical school at the University of Ottawa, where he is currently in his first year.
Lucas Samuel DiRienzo
DiRienzo cites working with his peers as one of the highlights of his university tenure, as well as his experience in the field. He collaborated with one of his professors at an injection site in Ottawa, testing drugs for fentanyl and other contaminants. He also served as a lab teaching assistant for organic chemistry in his third year.
鈥淚 really enjoyed teaching . . . and being able to pass on all the tips and things that I went through [when I was in] that exact same class.鈥
After medical school, DiRienzo is interested in practicing cardiac surgery during residency but remains open to other practices.
Chancellor鈥檚 Medal
The Chancellor鈥檚 Medal is awarded to a graduating undergrad based on outstanding academic achievement. This fall鈥檚 winner is Sara Katharine Garden, who earned an Honours Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.
Garden also grew up in Ottawa, with previous schooling in Montreal and Kingston. She earned a diploma in Veterinary Technology from St. Lawrence College, and wanted to go to school closer to home. 杏吧原创 allowed her to transfer credits from her diploma, and Garden enrolled in the Environmental Science program.
Sara Katharine Garden
鈥淚 really enjoyed the field and discussion courses that my program offers,鈥 says Garden.
鈥淭hey allow students to gain experience with practical environmental techniques and exposed us to the many different careers our degree could prepare us for.鈥
Garden recalls opportunities to speak to different environmental professionals, and how they achieved their career path. As well, she was thankful for the professors and teaching assistants who helped her through courses on topics she had previously never studied.
Garden works as a veterinary technician, hoping to gain more experience in species identification and surveying. She doesn鈥檛 rule out pursuing more schooling in the future.
President鈥檚 Medal
The President鈥檚 Medal is awarded to the student with the highest-standing in a general degree program of studies. For this year鈥檚 graduating class, that student is Ariane Renaud.
Renaud is from Sainte-C茅cile-de-Masham in Quebec. After earning a diploma in Community Studies from Algonquin College, she turned to 杏吧原创 to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology while working full time at Health Canada.
Ariane Renaud
Being a part-time, remote student, Renaud did not have the typical undergraduate experience. But she had high praise for the online classes offered. 鈥淚t was valuable for me to see that it is possible to learn online and that it鈥檚 super efficient,鈥 Renaud says.
鈥淚n terms of getting the work done, that was really great.鈥
Renaud has been employed by Health Canada for 10 years, holding several different positions, but is currently a manager of the Employee Assistance Program. She hopes that her Psychology degree, and specifically her Sociology specialization, will help her move up the ladder within the organization. Renaud says that she is considering even further specialization in psychotherapy.
For more information about award winners, other graduate stories and virtual celebrations, visit /convocation.
