While earning her first undergraduate degree in human anatomy in Nigeria, Olajumoke Shobowale (BA ’25) became fascinated with how the body works and how diseases are prevented.

That curiosity led her to pursue a second degree in Community Health at Brock, drawn to the University by its welcoming campus.

“I was more than just a number. I felt like part of a family even before arriving in Canada,” she said.

Shobowale’s commitment to community earned her a Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock medal, which she received alongside fellow recipient Wantao Xiao (PhD ’25) on Friday, Oct. 17 during the University’s 118th Convocation. The honour recognizes students who embody leadership, courage, innovation, inspiration and community involvement.

Throughout her studies, Shobowale worked as a Smart Start assistant, Future Black Leaders’ mentor, International Student Ambassador and residence assistant while sharing resources and scholarship advice with other international students through her digital mentoring platform, GlobalwithOla. A lifelong singer, she even took home first place in the 2024 Brock’s Got Talent competition.

“The biggest reward is knowing someone else’s journey was made easier because I shared mine,” she said.

When she encountered obstacles along the way, Shobowale drew on her creative problem-solving skills and community to persevere.

To ease homesickness, she launched Explore the World from Your Kitchen, a cookbook featuring recipes from international students to help them “experience home through food because it can feel like a warm hug,” she said.

Determined to graduate without debt, despite the challenges created by fluctuating exchange rates, she sought help from the Brock International, Learning Services, Career Zone and Student Health teams. She also secured scholarships, including the International Ambassador Award.

“So long as you’re still on track, you can finish,” she said. “Success and failure both come at a cost. It’s up to you to choose the one that moves you forward.”

Shobowale plans to pursue a master’s degree in public health with the goal of ensuring knowledge and resources reach those who need them most.

Xiao’s path to Convocation was also defined by perseverance — a skill he said was instilled in him by his parents, who are both professional athletes.

In 2019, a conversation with Professor of Biological Sciences Charles Després inspired him to pursue a PhD in Biotechnology.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Xiao and his supervisor decided to turn their focus toward mental health research, with a particular focus on how psychedelics interact with brain receptors.

“People were suffering and medications that had been in use since the 1980s weren’t working for everyone,” he said. “I wanted to explore new ways to understand and improve treatments.”

Outside the lab, he helped to establish Brock’s Graduate Mathematics and Science Student Society and launch the University’s first STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduate research conference.

“We do amazing research,” he said. “I wanted a place for the Faculty of Mathematics and Science to showcase their achievements. I’m very proud of this legacy.”

His leadership on campus included serving as student co-chair of the President’s Advisory Committee for Human Rights, Equity and Decolonization (PACHRED). Originally from China, Xiao drew on his experience as an international student to co-found PACHRED’s International Student Working Group.

“PACHRED taught me not only that we need to ask the hard questions, but also the importance of open dialogue to learn more about the unique challenges of international students,” he said.

Xiao also worked as an Innovation and Commercialization Fellow at Brock LINC, where he evaluated intellectual property potential across Brock research projects, advising faculty and community inventors on the patentability and potential impact of their ideas.

His contributions have earned him multiple awards, including the PACHRED Leadership Award, Marilyn Rose Graduate Leadership Award and the President’s Surgite Award.

Xiao appreciates the support he has received during his time at Brock.

“Charles has been a great mentor to me, providing trust and freedom to explore my research interests and career aspirations,” he said.

Brock Board of Trustees member Rob Welch (left) presented Wantao Xiao with the Spirit of Brock Medal on Friday, Oct. 17 during the University’s 118th Convocation.