Th Brock community gathered on June 12, 2019, to celebrate the newest Faculty of Education graduates. A highlight of the day’s ceremonies was the awarding of the Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock Medals to an undergraduate and graduate student who demonstrate the spirit of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock, the University’s namesake. Lauren Saly won the Faculty of Education undergraduate award.
Community has been part of Saly’s Brock experience since her first visits to the University.
“After touring the campus, I knew Brock was where I wanted to be. I liked the community feel of the campus and Brock had lots of clubs and opportunities for me to become involved in the community,” said Saly, who is graduating from Concurrent Teacher Education.
“I would have to say that the biggest highlight of my time at Brock has been getting involved in the Brock community and greater Niagara community.”
She has been a member of the Brock Leaders Citizenship Society (BLCS) and served as its vice-president in 2017-2018. Through the BLCS, she led three annual events that raised more than $60,000 for bursaries to support students at DSBN Academy.
With a passion for supporting children and adults with disabilities, Saly has volunteered in this area through Brock clubs and Niagara organizations.
For the past four years she has been involved in the Brock Best Buddies Club, serving as the co-president in her final year. The club partners with Community Living St. Catharines and builds friendships between Brock students and adults with intellectual disabilities in the Niagara Region.
Saly has also served as a childcare volunteer with Pathstone Mental Health and as a “Reading Rocks” literacy tutor with the Learning Disabilities Association of Niagara Region.
“Throughout my degree, I took a number of courses related to my interest in inclusion and supporting positive outcomes for children with disabilities,” said Saly.
Saly’s fourth-year thesis sparked an interest in research. After graduation, she will be working on a Master of Arts in Developmental Psychology and Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Over the summer she will be continuing her role as a Research Assistant at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto.
“I am very honoured to receive the Spirit of Brock award,” said Saly, who also received the Distinguished Graduating Student Award – Concurrent Primary/Junior.
“I am thrilled that I have been able to have a positive impact on the Brock and greater Niagara communities, and I look forward to continuing to improve the lives of others through my academic work and community service in my future as a Brock University alumna.”
