The recipients of Brock University’s 2021 Distinguished Faculty Graduate Awards represent a diverse group of leaders in sport, business, law, education and science.

The annual awards honour and celebrate Brock graduates who have earned prominence as a result of their exceptional professional achievements and service to society. Recipients are selected by their respective Faculties and endorsed by the Brock University Alumni Association (BUAA) Recognition of Excellence Committee.

“Recipients are chosen based on their individual accomplishments,” said Terry Cockerline, Director, Alumni Relations. “These prestigious alumni awards also represent the collective success and impact that Brock alumni are making in their communities.

“From a senior executive to a human rights advocate and Paralympic athlete — the great diversity of backgrounds, talents and accomplishments in this year’s cohort of distinguished award recipients exemplifies Brock’s focus on a unique educational experience and its value for inclusivity, diversity and equity,” he said.

In lieu of a traditional in-person awards ceremony this year, articles will be written about each award recipient and posted to The Brock News in the coming weeks, along with stories on three BUAA awards.

Brock University’s 2021 Distinguished Faculty Graduate Awards recipients are:

Elisabeth Walker-Young (BPhEd ’02)
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Distinguished Graduate Award

Walker-Young is a four-time Paralympian in swimming and an advocate for Paralympic athletes. She received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for her contributions to the Paralympic movement and was made an Officer to the Order of Canada for her contributions to the inclusion and accessibility for Canadians. 

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Chase Blodgett (BEd ’09, BPhEd ’09)
Faculty of Education Distinguished Graduate Award

Blodgett is a gender and sexuality advocate, educator, speaker and consultant. He has been recognized for his extraordinary commitment to advancing human rights for transgender, two-spirit and non-binary individuals and their immediate supports. His advocacy and leadership is credited as a driving force behind the Yukon Territory’s transformation into a national leader in gender diversity and inclusion. 

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Shawn Rubel (BA ’04)
Faculty of Humanities Distinguished Graduate Award

Rubel is an internet entrepreneur who, recognizing a need, applied his passion for design and started Eezy, a successful online company that provides stock photos and resources for designers.

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Johann (Hans) Matthews (BSc ’84)
Faculty of Mathematics and Sciences Distinguished Graduate Award

Matthews is a geologist and award-winning consultant specializing in helping mining companies collaborate with Indigenous communities. His reputation for environmental stewardship has allowed him to work on many of Canada’s most challenging environmental issues.

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Angela Salvatore (BA ’02)
Faculty of Social Sciences Distinguished Graduate Award

Salvatore is an established lawyer and the first woman to become Chair of the Ontario Bar Association Taxation Law Section. She is also actively involved in educating and advocating for women in leadership.

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Cheryl Brandon (BBA ’04)
Goodman School of Business Distinguished Graduate Award

Brandon is a senior executive and partner with Waterton Global Resource Management and was recently named to Bloomberg’s Top 40 Under 40 in Canada list. She has established herself as one of the country’s leading executives in investment management and is a founder of the Giving 2 Girls initiative, which supports girls in developing nations.

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Additional alumni awards will be announced at a later date. These include the BUAA Distinguished Alumni Award, the BUAA Outstanding Young Alumni Award and the BUAA Community Engagement Award.

The Alumni Co-op Employer Award was presented jointly by Brock Co-op and Brock Alumni during National Co-op Week in March 2021.

For more information on Brock University’s 2021 alumni awards, visit brocku.ca/alumni/awards