{"id":39350,"date":"2016-06-07T16:56:37","date_gmt":"2016-06-07T20:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=39350"},"modified":"2016-06-08T13:42:47","modified_gmt":"2016-06-08T17:42:47","slug":"students-recognized-for-hard-work-at-brock-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2016\/06\/students-recognized-for-hard-work-at-brock-and-beyond\/","title":{"rendered":"Students recognized for hard work at Brock and beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antwi Boasiako knows too well the ravages of HIV\/AIDS.\u00a0He watched as his best friend died of the autoimmune disease at the age of 20, only two years after being diagnosed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Growing up in Ghana, he said HIV\/AIDS was highly prevalent, but also widely stigmatized.<\/p>\n

While battling the disease, his friend was no longer able to attend classes. Boasiako visited him and tutored him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was always looking to honour his memory and his life,\u201d Boasiako said. \u201cHe was like a brother.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Master\u2019s of Political Science graduate found a way by volunteering with Positive Living Niagara while studying at Brock University.<\/p>\n

He has served in many roles at the organization from community outreach and advocacy to planning committee member and researcher.<\/p>\n

\"Antwi

Antwi Boasiako is a graduate student in the Faculty of Social Sciences who was presented with the Spirit of Brock award at Spring Convocation.<\/p><\/div>\n

He created a database for the organization detailing the health and social profile of its clients to help it better direct services to those in need.<\/p>\n

Boasiako, an international student from Ghana, was awarded the graduate student Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock Award Tuesday during the Faculty of Social Sciences convocation.<\/p>\n

Winnie Murombedzi, Positive Living Niagara\u2019s education and support co-ordinator, said Boasiako is \u201ca true change agent and a global citizen who is committed to the social transformation of the lives of HIV\/AIDS clients.\u201d<\/p>\n

Boasiako said getting the award is the most prestigious honour he\u2019s had in his academic career.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the perfect icing on the cake for what has been an inspiring graduate studies program,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Boasiako was one of 3,513 students who will cross the stage for their degrees this week.<\/p>\n

The undergraduate student Spirit of Brock award went to Rebecca Lepore, who studied Speech and Language Sciences at Brock.<\/p>\n

The award is given to students who demonstrate leadership, innovation, courage, inspiration and community involvement.<\/p>\n

\"Rebecca

Rebecca Lepore, an undergrad from the Faculty of Social Sciences, was the recipient of the Spirit of Brock award at Spring Convocation.<\/p><\/div>\n

The four-year member of the Brock Linguistics Network executive helped set up events for students and faculty and organized fundraisers. Lepore was a member of Smart Start and frequent ambassador at Brock Open House and the Ontario Universities Fair.<\/p>\n

She also received the Dean\u2019s medal, while a second Dean\u2019s medal for Social Sciences was given to Nicole Hinsperger.<\/p>\n

At Tuesday\u2019s morning\u00a0convocation, the Excellence in Teaching award was presented to Assistant Professor of Economics Ivan Medovikov.<\/p>\n

His colleagues praised his commitment to making \u201cthe teaching of our students a first priority.\u201d They cite his use of innovative teaching techniques employing the latest technology in making his classes engaging for all students.<\/p>\n

His nominators emphasized his collegiality and mentorship, pointing to his willingness to share course materials he has developed, and to guide and advise his colleagues on their own teaching strategies.<\/p>\n

His teaching philosophy emphasizes clarity, creativity and student engagement. Students have called him \u201can excellent prof (who) made the course enjoyable and intellectually stimulating at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Honorary doctorates were presented to Liz Palmieri<\/a> and Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish<\/a> during convocation ceremonies Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Chancellor Shirley Cheechoo and President and Vice-Chancellor Jack Lightstone each addressed the students and shook their hands as they left the stage with their diplomas.<\/p>\n

Brock\u2019s Spring Convocation continues Wednesday with the Faculties of Math & Science,\u00a0Humanities and Education. University at Buffalo President Satish Tripathi will be presented with an honorary doctorate in the 10 a.m. ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\t