April 23, 2014, Toronto ON – Five students at Bloomberg Nursing were selected for Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Awards. Presented each spring, the awards recognize students who have made outstanding contributions to improving the world around them and inspiring others to do the same. Now in their 20th year, the awards are named after Gordon Cressy, former vice-president of development and university relations, and were created by the University of Toronto Alumni Association (UTAA) and the Department of University Advancement. Recipients embody the spirit of Cressy’s mantra, to “make a difference.”
More than 211 recipients were selected this year, and over 170 of them crossed the stage at Convocation Hall to receive their awards on April 16, 2014.
- Kylene Hua is a second year student in the Master of Nursing Program. She has been actively involved as a member of the Graduate Nurses’ Student Society, and has taken the lead in organizing events to foster interaction between graduate faculty and students. She also participates willingly in information nights for new and prospective graduate students, sharing her insights knowledge and advice. She was nominated by Margaret Blastorah, Graduate Program Director.
- Monika Dalmacio is in the last year of the BScN program at Bloomberg Nursing. During her program, she has served first as Vice-President and the President of the Nursing Undergraduate Society, and served as a peer mentor for incoming first-year BScN students. She also serves as a student representative on Faculty Council, and was on the Advisory Committee to help select the new dean of Bloomberg Nursing. She also works closely with the IMAGINE Clinic, a multi-faculty student-run clinic that services marginalized populations. She was nominated by Cathy Maser, Bloomberg Lecturer.
- Rebecca Chakraborty is a second year graduate student at Bloomberg Nursing. She served on the U of T Graduate Student’s Union in 2012, voting on campus-wide issues and influencing policy. She actively communicates important issues back to nursing students and seeks their feedback. She is also involved with faculty governance, sitting on the Curriculum Committee at Bloomberg Nursing, and working to coordinate the alumni seminar series. She was nominated by Margaret Saari, doctoral student.
- Meagan Noble is finishing her BScN at Bloomberg Nursing. Her impressive academic background and her organizational and leadership skills have aided the student body in the many voluntary roles she has taken on. As the Athletic and Recreation Representative to NUS, she took on the role of Nursing Games Head Coordinator, showing leadership in fostering a national community of nursing schools at the 2014 Nursing Games, hosted by Bloomberg Nursing in March 2014. She was nominated by Jaime Lapeyre, Bloomberg Lecturer.
- Page Dixon is completing her BScN, and has made important contributions as the Wellness Representative for NUS. She has taken a leadership role in organizing activities such as the Wellness Fair, Yoga Class, and Wellness movie series. She has shared her background in arts therapy, presenting on complementary therapies and teaching mindfulness meditation to fellow students. She has shown dedication and passion in encouraging her peers to participate in extra-curricular activities. She was nominated by Francine Wynn, Director, Graduate Programs.
“The Cressy Awards are an important opportunity for students to be recognized for their work outside of the classroom, focussing on how they are making a difference in the day to day lives of their peers and communities,” says Linda McGillis Hall, Interim Dean, and a former Cressy Award recipient. “All of us at Bloomberg Nursing wish them nothing but the best as they move forward in their careers, academic or otherwise, and continue to have a positive influence on those around them.”