A total of 80 Dalhousie varsity student-athletes achieved Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Academic All-Canadian status during the 2014-15 school year — an achievement that speaks to their dedication and commitment in and out of the classroom.
The students were recognized at a gala reception Thursday (January 21), with more than 60 of the honourees in attendance.
To qualify as an Academic All-Canadian, student-athletes must maintain a GPA of at least 3.50, over the academic year while competing in a varsity sport. Hard work, dedication, sacrifice and support are crucial in these students’ lives.
Dalhousie President Richard Florizone spoke at the reception, sharing admiration for the student-athletes on their discipline and commitment to being successful.
“Your dedication, training and initiative is inspirational," he said. "You have achieved so many great things while committing yourselves to your training.”
The event's host, Provost and Vice-President Academic Carolyn Watters, praised the athletes before calling them all onto the stage to be recognized: “Congratulations to everyone. You are an impressive group of Dalhousians. Your commitment and dedication is humbling.”
It takes a team...
Fourth-year swimmer Jeremy Ryant spoke on behalf of the student-athletes, thanking those who help them achieve success.
“Despite what we (student-athletes) might like to believe, our successes cannot be attributed to our own talent, perseverance, dedication or work ethic alone," he said. "The true driving force behind an athlete’s success, no matter how we choose to define it, is our community.”
In addition to honouring the student-athletes, the luncheon also applauds the individuals who’ve helped the student-athletes achieve their goals: their academic mentors. Honourees were given the opportunity to invite a faculty member to the reception, someone who had been vital to their success as student-athletes.
Our professors and mentors help us make sense of the world, challenge our prejudices, and support our intellectual growth," said Ryant. "Our parents, families and friends provide steadfast support and encouragement and create an environment for us to pursue our passion. Lastly, our coaches, trainers and athletic staff provide us with the tools to pursue our goals and how to be a part of the team. For that, we are very thankful.”
“This is a flagship event on our calendar every year,” says Director of Varsity Athletics Tim Maloney. “We strive for excellence in the classroom and in sport at Dalhousie and this event is a true representation of that. To be able to recognize our outstanding student-athletes and recognize those who have helped them succeed is something we take great pride in.”
More Academic All-Canadians coverage
- All‑around accomplishment: Jeremy Ryant, on success from the pool to the poli‑sci classroom
- Injury, sminjury: How a broken foot failed to stop hockey player Sarah MacNeil
- Community kicks: Sangmuk Choi makes time to give back
Dalhousie's Academic All-Canadians - 2014-15
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Diedre Alexander, basketball
Hannah Ascough, cross country
Corbin Boes, hockey
Jeremy Ryant, swimming
Katherine Webster, swimming
Faculty of Engineering
Logan Baillie, volleyball
Monica Diab, soccer
Angus MacIntosh, cross country
Matt McNeil, cross country
Jennifer Thompson, hockey
Jacob Wing, cross country
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Meagan Bernier, swimming
Ben MacAskill, hockey
Rebecca Nuttall, basketball
Colleen Wilson, cross country/track & field
Faculty of Health Professions
College of Pharmacy
Jennifer Pitman
School of Health and Human Performance
Mati Barrett, hockey
Elise Bilodeau, soccer
Sangmuk Choi, soccer
Emma Ciprick, volleyball
Mieke DuMont, volleyball
Allison Grant, swimming
Morgan Hawkes, cross country/track & field
Robbie Jones, track & field
Kayte Kowal, cross country/track & field
Glenn Lassaline, volleyball
Sarah MacNeil, hockey
Cara McCallum, swimming
Kristy McGregor-Bales, soccer
Isaac Norman, track & field
Carissa Poulin, basketball
Chris Reith, swimming
Jessica Shannon, track & field
Sydney Smith, track & field
Tessa Stammberger, basketball
School of Health Sciences
Jonathan Doucett, soccer
School of Nursing
Abby Czenze, volleyball
Emily Ferguson, cross country/track & field
Emma Gillam, cross country
Jenna Goobie, soccer
Britany MacArthur, cross country/track & field
Abigail MacDonald, basketball
Victoria Parkinson, soccer
Elizabeth Wright, volleyball
Faculty of Management
Jessica Blanchard, soccer
Emily Clarke, cross country
Alex Cote, hockey
Jacob DaCosta, soccer
Kevin Duong, basketball
Wes Herrett, hockey
Kendall Macinnis, hockey
Luke Madill, hockey
Colton Parsons, hockey
Jarred Reid, basketball
Gabby Sakowicz, volleyball
Evan Tolfo, soccer
Alex Zafiris, hockey
Faculty of Medicine
Alexandra Hudson, volleyball
Faculty of Science
Nigel Champion, swimming
Ellen Chappell, cross country
Ross Chricton, basketball
Paige Crowell, swimming
Corinne Desjardins, hockey
Matt Donovan, volleyball
Anna Dunn-Suen, volleyball
Devin Errington, track & field
Ainsley Fraser, swimming
Ann Johnsen, swimming
Abby Llewellyn, cross country
Halle Loyek, swimming
Andrea Lyon, hockey
Jenna MacDonald, cross country
Ainsley MacIntyre, basketball
Meagan McKenna, soccer
Jeanne Morin, hockey
Paige Robillard, swimming
Jack Schembri, soccer
Rachel Shin, swimming
Keenan Teghtsoonian, swimming
Cody Watson, track & field