Convocation and Graduation Medals

W.C. Winegard Medal

The Winegard Medal is the University of Guelph’s top convocation award to an undergraduate student. Named for former University of Guelph president Dr. William Winegard, the medal is awarded in recognition of both academic achievement and contributions to university and community life.

Recipient: Julianah Oguntala, College of Biological Science.

Nominees: Lindsay North, College of Arts; Keefer Rourke, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences; Lauren Chang, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences; Emily Blydorp, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics; Hannah Symington, Ontario Agricultural College; Celeste Noble, Ontario Veterinary College.

D.F. Forster Medal

These medals are awarded annually to one convocating master’s student and one convocating PhD student who excel both academically and in extracurricular activities. Named for the late Donald Forster, a former president of the University, the awards recognize academic achievement, motivation, leadership and citizenship.

Magisteriate Recipient: Manpreet Dhaliwal, College of Arts.

Nominees: Christian Cheung, College of Biological Science; Madeline Ward, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences; Heather Collett, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences; Carson Balestreri, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics; Colin Lynch, Ontario Agricultural College.

Doctoral Recipient: Mohsen Yoosefzadeh Najafabadi, Ontario Agricultural College.

Nominees: Nikole Freeman, College of Biological Science; Lara Genik, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences; Michael Lever, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics; Shannon French, Ontario Veterinary College.

Governor General’s Academic Medals

Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General after Confederation, created these Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage academic excellence across the nation. Over the years, they have become the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive. The Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a high school, as well as from approved college or university programs. Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Kim Campbell, Robert Bourassa, Robert Stanfield and Gabrielle Roy are among the more than 50,000 people who have received the Governor General’s Academic Medal as the start of a lifetime of accomplishment. Today, the Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded as Gold at the graduate level, Silver at the undergraduate level and Collegiate Bronze at the diploma level. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions.

Gold Medals

Anthony Incognito, College of Biological Science; Cristine Reitz, Ontario Veterinary College.

Silver Medals

Joelle Dori Chandler, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences; Sebastian Patrick Karpinski, College of Biological Science.

Bronze Medal

Kenneth Robert George Malcolmson, Ontario Veterinary College.

W.N. Vaughan Medal

Named for a former secretary of Senate, the Walter Vaughan Medal recognizes the contributions of a student member of Senate who has high academic standing and who has made a substantial contribution to the University, particularly through involvement in, and commitment to Senate activities.

Recipient: Sooraj Modi, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.