Two students have been admitted to the highest level of the Blue and Gold Circle at the University of Victoria in recognition of their continued commitment to both the on and off-campus communities. The awards ceremony took place on Oct. 14.
Gold awards
Graduate students Maria Barnes and Michael Dussault were given gold
pins and $600 awards for their third year of recognition.
Barnes is currently living in Ottawa while continuing her UVic studies towards an interdisciplinary PhD in psychology and law. Previously recognized for her work on behalf of Victoria's Transition House and the Truth in Adoption Society, Barnes has expanded her volunteer commitment to her new community. She worked as a field marshal for the Terry Fox run, is a director of her local community association, worked as a host for her community TV station and is in the process of learning French.
A recipient of a BA (Honours) degree from UVic in 1995, Dussault is now working towards an MA in history. He serves as a volunteer therapist with UVic's athletics & recreational services, is manager of emergency operations for Oak Bay's emergency program and is an outstanding member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. Last year, he performed 1,422 documented hours of public first aid duties.
Silver awards
Undergraduate students Bevin Carithers and Sherry MacLeod were given
silver pins and $400 awards for being nominated a second time.
Now in his fourth year of study towards a BA in geography, Carithers is a member of the Victoria Circle K International, the UVic geography students society and the Victoria Native Vegetation Committee. He designs, implements and leads interpretive programs for school children and community organizations at the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary and volunteers at the Upper Room and the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children's Health.
A first-year law student who earned her nursing degree with distinction last year, MacLeod serves on the university senate, the Vancouver Island Public Interest Group and Together Against Poverty. She juggles all this while also being a wife and mother.
Bronze awards
In addition, 16 students made their first appearance in the Blue and
Gold Circle, receiving a bronze pin, a certificate and an award of
$200. The bronze winners are: Gefen Bar-on, Kristen Catton, Michael
Conlon, Scott Cowie, Janine Fernandes, Heather Fisher, Joel Freedman,
Patrick Garcia, Meharoona Ghani, Kim Hawkins, James Hutchison, Kelly
Nordin, Joann Paterson, Yogendra Shakya, Frances Thorsen, and
Katherine Tweedie.
Introduced in 1996, the Blue and Gold Circle honours students who combine service to their community with high academic achievement. The program is sponsored by the president's office and the alumni association. Both graduate and undergraduate students can be nominated for the awards if they are enrolled full-time and maintain a minimum grade point average of 5.0, while making outstanding contributions to UVic or the community of Greater Victoria.