There’s a new tradition in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
The faculty has established a Distinguished Alumni Award to be presented annually, beginning this fall, to recognize graduates of Brock’s master’s and doctoral programs.
“This award is something that we have wanted to have in place for some time as another way to celebrate the achievements of our graduate community that reflects our values in graduate education,” says Mike Plyley, Dean of Graduate Studies.
Mike Plyley
“We have seen phenomenal growth in our graduate sector since the faculty came into being in 2007. The total number of graduate degrees awarded at the University is approximately 8,300. This award will be a way to show our pride in the accomplishments of our former students for their continued commitment to excellence in the graduate experience at Brock and elsewhere.”
The award has been created to acknowledge individuals who have helped to shape the development of a graduate culture and community as a means of supporting the research, scholarship, academic and professional pursuits of graduate students.
“At Brock, the faculty has led the emergence of a graduate culture through which we can create an all-important sense of community within the dynamic diversity of our 43 graduate programs,” says Plyley. “We want to honour our graduates who also place a high value on the existence and continued development of a graduate culture as an important feature of the graduate experience.”
The call for nominations is open until Friday, Aug. 9. Information about award criteria and the application process is available online. The award will be presented as part of the Brock University Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Luncheon on Sept. 21, during Homecoming.
Nominations can emphasize a variety of ways in which individuals have been committed to building a thriving and vital community of researchers and scholars at the graduate level, such as:
• advancing graduate program development
• leading new initiatives for academic and professional development of graduate students
• creating opportunities to build graduate culture across faculties
• opening pathways for collaboration and partnership between faculty and students across institutions
• being a champion of graduate student research and scholarship to increase internal and external awareness.
Darren Fox, alumni association president, is pleased to have Graduate Studies involved in the celebration of alumni on Sept. 21.
“I think it’s wonderful for the faculty to match an award for alumni that shares their value in community as a driving force in excellence in the graduate experience far and wide,” he says.
