[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Cowl_Lauren.jpg” caption=”Lauren Cowl will give the valedictory address during the morning convocation ceremony for the Faculty of Humanities today. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]The graduating class of the Faculty of Humanities will celebrate their convocation today with Lauren Cowl, an honours philosophy and political science graduate, who will give the valedictory address during the morning ceremony.

Cowl was this year's recipient of the Chancellor's Gold Medal, which she says is her greatest achievement to date.

“It represents that I have been able to succeed academically while also balancing other aspects of student life, including giving back to the community and other extracurricular involvement,” says Cowl.

As a McMaster student, Cowl was very involved in both academic and athletic extracurricular activities. She was a member of the MACDebate Society since her first year, and served as president of the society in her final year. She also played on the Art-Sci co-rec intramural soccer team for the past three years. In addition, Cowl has volunteered with CHOICES, a centre for adults with developmental disabilities, for the past four years.

Cowl says McMaster has prepared her well for life after graduation.

“McMaster represents a place to grow and change in a way that is more independent from previous learning and personal experiences,” says Cowl. “Our degrees demonstrate that we have all furthered our knowledge of specific areas of study, but McMaster also provides the framework in which we have been able to interact with new people and ideas in ways that develop the skills of communication and inquiry that are transferable to all aspects of life.”

Cowl plans to attend law school at Osgoode Hall in September and hopes to pursue a career in law.

“Some of my summer jobs have been in the field of social work and have been extremely influential to my interest in human rights issues in Canada and representing marginalized groups in society,” says Cowl.

She also had two very inspiring professors she says have given her invaluable advice about her future.

“Professors Wil Waluchow and Nibaldo Galleguillos of the philosophy and political science departments, respectively, have always been supportive and encouraging of my goals, from taking on a bigger challenge in class to my interest in law,” says Cowl.

As valedictorian, Cowl feels honoured to represent her graduating class.

“I hope to say something that is meaningful and memorable and speaks to everyone present,” says Cowl.