Spirit of Brock Board of Trustees medal recipients Shalini Dass (left) and Kristina Elizabeth Wamboldt (right) with Board of Trustees Chair Joe Robertson at Wednesday afternoon's convocation ceremony.

She appreciates the recognition, but Kristina Elizabeth Wamboldt didn’t spend many quiet nights inside studying and countless hours volunteering to win awards.

Instead, the 23-year-old has devoted most of her time at Brock University preparing for a career in teaching. She completed the concurrent education program with bachelor of science and bachelor of education degrees and a 94 per cent overall average.

During Wednesday afternoon’s Faculty of Education convocation ceremony, Wamboldt was presented with a Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock medal and Dean’s medals for her accomplishments.

“It’s been a lot of hard work over the last five years, the first four years in particular doing my math and science degree,” Wamboldt said. “It’s almost like vindication. It paid off in the end, the long nights of studying and not doing much else but school.”

Brock education Prof. Kari-Lynn Winters was presented with the 2014 Faculty of Education Award for Excellence in Teaching and addressed the students.

In addition to her in-class success, Wamboldt has been an active volunteer at Brock. She is part of several groups that have raised thousands of dollars for charity, including the Brock Leaders Citizenship Society’s Flora Broley Memorial Ball Hockey Tournament that has brought in more than $60,000 for Alzheimer’s. She is currently working as a BLCS assistant.

“It’s kind of my both sides of the brain,” Wamboldt said of her passion for academics and volunteerism.

Wamboldt wants to supply teach in Niagara next year and would do so while completing her master of education at Brock.

Andrew Edward (undergraduate) was awarded a Spirit of Brock medal.

“I always say it’s like my family,” she said. “I walk down the hall and professors know me by name … they take the time to stop and talk to you. They’re really interested in what you’re doing.
“Brock was big enough to suit my needs but small enough to let me thrive. I didn’t get lost in the sea of people. I was able to rise to the top and do everything I wanted to do.”

Brittany Rea (undergraduate) was awarded a Spirit of Brock medal.

More than 1,000 students from the Faculty of Education received their degrees and certificates on Day 2 of Convocation.

Shalini Dass (graduate) joined Wamboldt as a Spirit of Brock medal recipient during the afternoon ceremony.
In the morning ceremony, Brittany Rea (undergraduate) and Andrew Edward (undergraduate) were awarded Spirit of Brock medals. Kyle Sutter was given a Dean’s medal.

Brock education Prof. Kari-Lynn Winters was presented with the 2014 Faculty of Education Award for Excellence in Teaching and addressed the students.

“I believe teaching is bigger than the jobs we land and the material items we buy,” she said. “It’s time to make a difference. It’s time to be the connected, creative coaches for our students. To be the committed, curious, and yes, even the chaotic educators I know you all can be. I’ve been blessed, because I’ve had these teachers in my life, and I’m grateful to them, because without them I wouldn’t be here today.”