News

By Emma Geldart

Owen Johnstone (Class of ’15) has made it his mission to make life at Dalhousie Agricultural Campus better for everyone. During his first year at Dal AC, he was recognized for many different accomplishments and this year was no different.

This year, Owen, along with a group of four other students, received the 2015 Outstanding Tutor Student Leadership Impact Award. The award goes to a student, or group of students, who provide exceptional help, knowledge and outstanding service to his or her tutee or tutees.

Along with four of his peers, Owen tutored students in the Veterinary Technology program. They provided exceptional instruction, mentorship and genuine caring to the first year Veterinary Technology students. Through their dedication, time, volunteer hours, kindness and helpfulness, the entire Vet Tech program benefitted significantly.

“We’ve focused this year on making sure the bond between first and second-year students is strong because historically that hasn’t always been the case.” Owen explains. “Normally it’s very separate and there’s been some competitive awkwardness. It’s a really supportive environment. We’ve worked to make sure first-year students feel supported and have been helping them out developing their skills.”

Originally from Fall River, N.S., Owen is graduating with a Diploma in Veterinary Technology.

“I had always wanted to be a veterinarian ever since I was a kid,” says Owen, who grew up reading novels by veterinarian surgeon, James Herriot.

After taking time off after school to travel, his career path branched into a different area of veterinary medicine when he discovered Dal’s Vet Tech program, which he calls, “the answer I had been looking for.”

Jumping right in, Owen became president of the Vet Tech Society where he promotes a strong community within the veterinary technology program. In addition to the Vet Tech Society, Owen is also president of DalOUT Truro, an organization for LGBTQ students and their allies.

An active volunteer within the LGBTQ community, Owen had reservations about living as openly gay in the small town of Truro, having read stories of homophobia in local newspapers. He saw DalOUT as an opportunity to help make a difference.

“DalOUT started with making posters and finding a place to meet,” he says. “At first it was just my friends and I, but gradually more students started attending.”

DalOUT is a safe space for students to meet and make friends. Last year, the group received the Club/Organization Award at the 2014 Agricultural Campus Impact Awards. This year Owen received Dalhousie’s Board of Governors Award for his involvement with DalOUT and the Vet Tech Society, as well as the Outstanding Tutor Award at the 2015 Impact Awards.

Owen hopes that the differences he has made while on campus will continue to thrive after he graduates. He is confident that DalOUT will continue to flourish and continue to provide a safe space for all students while also encouraging and enhancing diversity on campus. It’s Owen’s passion and dedication to helping others that has helped him make such a difference on the Agricultural Campus.