When Jay Shah learned he was receiving one of Brock University’s most prestigious student honours, he was also anxiously awaiting the news about his next co-op work term.

“When I saw that I received the President’s Surgite Award, it gave me the confidence boost I needed at that moment,” the third-year Computer Science student said. “It felt reassuring that whether I got the work term or not, that single thing does not define me.”

He found out he got the job — Junior Technical Analyst with the Ministry of Transportation — the next day.

Shah said that good news amplified the validation he felt receiving the Surgite Award for fostering an inclusive community on campus.

“I’ve made it my mission to build on the amazing community that Brock has by volunteering and involving myself in different initiatives,” he said. “This award reflects how Brock celebrates leadership, and I’m so grateful the University is also celebrating my impact through this award.”

The President’s Surgite Award recognizes graduate and undergraduate students who exhibit exemplary leadership, academic excellence, contributions to student life and generous service across campus and beyond.

Ten students received the award this year, which was presented by Brock President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg during a luncheon to celebrate their achievements on Wednesday, April 8.

Rigg said Brock is dedicated to fostering innovation, inclusivity and leadership across disciplines and to empowering students to lead with the purpose and compassion needed to make a difference.

“This outstanding group of young learners has exhibited a remarkable level of commitment to academic excellence and service to others that has both inspired and deeply enriched the lives of those in the Brock and Niagara community,” said Rigg. “Their unwavering passion and commitment have positioned them as role models, and they will undoubtedly continue to drive positive change in all their future endeavours within and beyond Brock.”

Shah honed his leadership skills through roles with the Brock LINC, as a member of the Smart Start and Student Recruitment teams, and as a Brock International Student Ambassador. While these skill-boosting experiences bolstered his academic and co-op successes, Shah said his biggest motivator is helping other students build their confidence, find a sense of belonging and identify pathways to success.

“We have all kinds of students at Brock with different experiences, perspectives and talents,” he said. “Everyone brings unique value and has the potential to excel by just being themselves. I believe in everyone’s capacity for greatness.”

He adds that his involvement with Brock’s Computer Science Club, as well as Brock International events like Taste the World, Test the World and the Indian Showcase, furthered showed him the possibilities that exist when diverse skills, experiences and cultural connections are valued and nurtured.

“Brock is truly the only place where I could have achieved what I’ve achieved,” he said. “Through my experiences here, I’ve learned how to better express myself and interact with others, and because of that, I will always advocate for other students to achieve the same successes.”

Brock’s 2025-26 President’s Surgite Award recipients are:

• Kaitlyn Moore (BPH ’24), second-year Master of Applied Health Sciences student
• Mario Berro (BSc ’23), second-year MBA (Finance) student
• Oya Pakkal (MA ’23), PHD in Psychology candidate
• Jay Shah, third-year Computer Science student
• Fatima Noor, fourth-year Forensic Psychology and Criminal Justice student
• Madalyn Weinert, fourth-year Medical Sciences student
• Nicola Odu, fourth-year Biomedical Sciences student
• Ivie Omoregie fourth-year Nursing student
• Autumn Fogal, fifth-year Physical Education/Teacher Education student
• Irene Charley, fourth-year Biomedical Sciences student