The Brock University Alumni Association is proud to announce the recipients of four awards, which were presented at Brock Days Alumni Weekend during the Association’s Annual General Meeting.

Terence Scheltema (BBE ’96), David Betzner Award recipient

Christopher Capredoni with David Scheltema, who accepted the award on behalf of his brother, Terence Scheltema (BBE ’96)

Named in honour of David Betzner (BSc ’85) who lent his time and energy to the Brock University Alumni Association for 18 years, the David Betzner Award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated loyalty and commitment to their alma mater by supporting Brock University and/or the Alumni Association through continuous dedicated volunteer service.

The affection and dedication that Terence Scheltema (BBE ’96) has for Brock stems from his engaged student experience and volunteer involvement. After graduating in 1996, Scheltema remained actively engaged with Brock University as director for the Brock University Alumni Association from 1997 to 2003. For the past 14 years, Scheltema also has volunteered as a Brock Alumni Ottawa Network representative. In this role, Scheltema has hosted several receptions on Parliament Hill, one of which won a CCAE Prix D’Excellence award for best alumni event. Other signature network events he’s been involved with include an event at the Canadian War Museum (with more than 200 alumni participants), the Bytown Wardroom Dinner, as well as receptions at Rideau Club and local restaurants.

Natasha Davey, Alumni Association Student Award recipient

Michelle Schurer with Natasha Davey

Brock University recognizes the important role it plays in nurturing and fostering engaged citizens who make a meaningful contribution within and beyond their community. The Brock University Alumni Association Student Award recognizes Brock students who contribute to a vibrant on-campus life and constitute an invaluable resource in the broader community, locally and nationally.

Natasha Davey, a third-year student in the Concurrent Education program, is a dedicated leader at Brock University. Davey demonstrates leadership on-campus and also volunteers internationally. This past reading week, Davey participated in an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) to the Dominican Republic where she volunteered with an orphanage. She’s also a student initiatives co-ordinator, and helps plan the LEAP (Leadership. Engagement. Achievement. Pride.) program for incoming students. Furthermore, Davey became highly involved in residence life. She helped plan and volunteer for a 30-hour famine through Brock’s Residence Life and was a 2009-10 Residence Action Council (RAC) member, becoming even more involved as a Village Residence Don the following school year. Davey’s dedication to Brock University, while maintaining a high academic standing, is an outstanding accomplishment.

Jera Bortolussi, Silver Badger Award recipient

Darren Fox with Jera Bortolussi

Established in memory of Barrie-Ann Bergsma (BA ’67), a member of Brock’s first graduating class, the Silver Badger Award is presented to a student who has maintained high academic standing while making a significant, ongoing contribution to the extracurricular life of the University.

Jera Bortolussi is a dedicated and passionate third-year Business Administration student who manages to engage in community involvement while also maintaining a high academic standing. Bortolussi is involved in numerous clubs and volunteer work throughout the school. She is the communications officer for the Brock Leaders Citizenship Society where she helps lead meetings, raise money in support of Alzheimer’s disease and organize the senior prom. Bortolussi was also a Brock Open House volunteer and is currently the secretary for Free the Children, Brock chapter. Bortolussi represented Brock University at the Best Life National Competition, placing seventh out of more than 300 students.

Rohan Kothari (BSc ’11), Badger Award recipient

Rohan Kothari (BSc ’11)

Established in memory of Victoria Catherine Hull, the Badger Award honours graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities in their involvement in the extracurricular life of the University, while maintaining an above-average academic standing.

Rohan Kothari (BSc ’11) recently graduated with a BSc (honours) in Biological Science. His dedication and passion for Brock are demonstrated through the numerous activities and volunteer roles to which he’s contributed. As executive director and founder of Free the Children, Brock chapter, Kothari organized more than 20 events in the Brock community and raised approximately $28,000 over four years. As president and co-founder of the Brock Leaders Citizenship Society (BLCS), Kothari helped establish the foundation for the BLCS and led a group of 28 student leaders in organizing various charitable events in the Brock community. Kothari also organized a Niagara-wide leadership conference at Brock on global citizenship where a Nobel Peace Prize nominee was featured. Kothari’s community volunteer work and passion to lead, while maintaining a high academic standing, is an outstanding accomplishment.