Media releases

  • ‘You have more influence than you realize,’ award-winning prof tells Brock grads

    MEDIA RELEASE: October 13 2023 – R0095

    Sometimes, all it takes is an hour.

    During her first year as a university physical education major, Maureen Connolly had an instructor spare an extra 60 minutes to help her overcome a task she was struggling with: learning to swim.

    That extra time, spent with the aptly named Joe Lake following her “pre-beginner” lessons at the YMCA, helped to shape Connolly’s outlook on teaching and set the course for her future.

    Now a Professor of Physical Education and Kinesiology at Brock, Connolly shared the story of the pivotal moment in her past with the University’s newest graduates while delivering the morning address at Brock’s 114th Convocation on Friday, Oct. 13.

    Connolly, this year’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award recipient, spoke about how that swim lesson so many years ago gave her the confidence to not only excel in the water, but also in the classroom.

    She would go on to take her grad school assistantship in advanced aquatics, teach hundreds of children and adults how to swim, and even twice save a life — all because Lake, committed to her success, took the time to care.

    “One hour of Joe Lake’s life changed my life,” Connolly said. “What is my unspoken fear? Not giving that hour. Being too busy with ‘more important things.’ Not recognizing the depths or the fears in others. This is my fear, my fuel and my muse. It is what animates my hope.”

    She urged graduates to consider their potential impact as they head out into the world.

    “Please think about a teacher who made a difference in your life. Whether you plan to be a teacher or a different kind of practitioner, please reflect on how your actions will affect others,” she said. “You have more influence than you realize.”

    While the morning Convocation address focused on the difference a few critical minutes can make, the afternoon address, delivered by James Allard, celebrated the years of hard work that led students to their graduation day.

    “Whether you finished at the top of your class or by the skin of your teeth, whether it was what might be considered on time or a little later than you planned, whether you ended in the program and with the degree in which you started, you did it,” said the Associate Dean, Undergraduate Student Affairs and Curriculum in the Faculty of Humanities. “Whatever the journey may have been like for you, you did it. You started something — something difficult and meaningful and wonderful and scary. You started it and you finished it.”

    Allard asked the graduates to deliberately take pause before leaving the ceremony, taking in the experience and “savouring the satisfaction of having done something extraordinary.”

    Friday’s celebration saw nearly 1,000 Brock University students achieve their goal of receiving their degree. Several were also honoured with awards.

    Mohammed Abbas, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences in June, and Daniel Belanger, who also graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Arts in Classics with a specialization in Greek and Roman Studies, were honoured with the Governor General’s Silver Medals, presented to the two undergraduate students with the highest academic average of the class of 2023.

    Also recognized were Bachelor of Recreation and Leisure Studies graduate Ashley Giroux and Master of Arts in Social Justice and Equity Studies graduate Raadhiyah Zowmi (BSc ’21), who were each presented with the Board of Trustees Spirit of Brock medal.

    Both Fall Convocation ceremonies are available to watch on the Brock University YouTube channel.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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    Categories: Media releases

  • Goodman School of Business to honour McDonald’s Canada’s first woman President and CEO

    MEDIA RELEASE: October 12 2023 – R0094

    Prominent business leader Michèle Boudria, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada, has been selected as the 2023 Goodman School of Business Distinguished Leader.

    Each year, Brock’s Goodman School of Business recognizes a prominent Canadian business leader and connects the recipient with Goodman students and the Brock community.

    Boudria will share insights on leadership during a fireside conversation with Goodman Dean Barry Wright at 2 p.m. in the Goodman School of Business Atrium on Wednesday, Oct. 18. As space is limited, people who wish to attend are asked to register online.

    “We are proud to honour Michèle as our 2023 Distinguished Leader,” said Wright. “As a people-first leader with a global business perspective and a desire to drive positive change, our students will gain invaluable insights meeting her and listening firsthand to her leadership journey.”

    Boudria started her career as a restaurant crew member in 1984 at a restaurant in Aylmer, Quebec. She grew with the company in regional, national and international leadership roles, including Managing Director of McDonald’s Netherlands, and became McDonald’s Canada’s first woman President and CEO last year.

    Responsible for the business operations at more than 1,400 McDonald’s Canada locations, she is focused on driving business results and creating a bigger impact by delivering on the company’s purpose of feeding and fostering communities.

    Boudria is passionate about community as well as diversity, equity and inclusion, and sits on the boards for Catalyst Canada and Ronald McDonald House Charities. She is the former Chair of the Canadian McDonald’s Women’s Leadership Network and a former Vice-Chair for the United States Women’s Leadership Network.

    Prior to the fireside chat, Boudria will meet with Goodman student leaders at a local McDonald’s restaurant.

    Goodman’s Distinguished Leader Award is part of the D.G. Willmot Leaders Series hosted at Goodman each year.

    Past recipients of the Distinguished Leader award include Margaret Kenequanash, CEO of Wataynikaneyap Power; Bonnie Lysyk, 13th Auditor General of Ontario; Michael Lee Chin, Founder and Chairman of Portland Holdings; Julia Deans, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Canada; Deepak Chopra, retired President and CEO of Canada Post; and Ned Goodman of Dundee Corporation.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: 

    * Doug Hunt, Communications and Media Relations Specialist, Brock University dhunt2@brocku.ca or 905-941-6209

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    Categories: Media releases