Mathew Nelson Memorial Award
Mat Nelson was a Political Science doctoral student with a Specialization in Political Economy. Mat passed away in January 2017 after a long illness, surrounded by family and friends. He was 35 years old. He was compassionate and kind, brilliant and hilarious. His untimely passing has left many within the 杏吧原创 community heartbroken.
During his time at 杏吧原创 Mat made numerous friends, many inspired by his passionate struggle for social, economic and human rights. He was an activist who deplored violence, racism, and inequality. Mat鈥檚 many accomplishments included his service as President of CUPE 4600 (Unit I), 杏吧原创 University鈥檚 Teaching Assistants union. Mat also served as President of the Ottawa CUPE District Council. Mat passed away before he was able to defend his last great accomplishment, his doctoral thesis entitled 鈥淩ace, War, and Bio-Power: A Political Genealogy of State Racism in Canada.鈥 His PhD degree was awarded posthumously on June 8, 2017.
The Mathew Nelson Memorial award, to be granted annually, is for an outstanding graduate student (MA or PhD) in the Institute of Political Economy who demonstrates academic excellence and reflects most accurately the qualities that Mat possessed: a extraordinary mind with an unwavering belief in a better world through social activism.