[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/pres_provost_06_sm.jpg” caption=”Peter George and Ken Norrie with Provost Honour Roll students who were in attendance (by surname): Jennifer Calafati, Warren Cheung , Andrew Lambert, Peter Martorelli , Andre Oliveira , Joel Roediger , Aaron Vanderhorst, Jenna Wells.
Click here for FULL Size Photo credit: Robert Tatlock”]President Peter George and provost Ken Norrie joined together to congratulate and recognize 78 students who were awarded 2005 President's Honour Awards and 15 in course students who achieved Provost Honour Roll for 2004-5 at a reception in Celebration Hall, Feb. 7.

Students entering their first year at McMaster with a secondary school average of 95 per cent or higher received a President's Honour Award while in course students earned Provost Honour Roll distinction through maintaining a perfect 12.0 average on at least 30 units (usually their sessional average).

In June 2005, Norrie approved the establishment of a medal to recognize students named to the Provost's Honour Roll. This medal was given out for the first time to this year's group of top scholars at McMaster.

At this year's awards reception, students with Provost's Honour Roll distinction received the new medal to recognize achievements of academic excellence in their 2004-5 studies. Students are eligible to receive this medal for every year that they are named to the Provost's Honour Roll. The silver medal is suspended from a maroon ribbon and has a raised gold-plated University Shield in its centre. Formerly only recognized as a transcript designation, students with this distinction will now also be honoured with “The Provost's Honour Roll Medal”.

George applauded these two groups of students for uplifting the whole University with their joy of learning and journey toward success.

“Our vision of excellence includes the goal of excellence in whole-person development, an ideal that includes development of academic excellence in the classroom as well as in student life, athletics, personal maturity, and the ability to live and function within community,” said George.

Provost Honour Roll recipient, Andrew Lambert found that working with friends and developing his creativity helped him overcome challenging material in his first year in engineering at McMaster. He found community in his McMaster surroundings.

“My residence roommate was also in engineering, and we were able to help each other understand and overcome some of the more difficult assignments and material. There was no real secret to my success, other than attending class, doing the homework, and studying hard; however, my one trick was to play the guitar before every test and exam, which helped me relax and focus,” said Lambert.

Lambert was awarded a President's Award and a Nortel Networks Entrance Scholarship when he entered his first year in 2004. He was able to take advantage of the guaranteed Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) position offered to engineering students and worked in the Robotics and Manufacturing Automation Laboratory this past summer.

First-year medical student, Fahad Alam, agrees with Lambert. Hesays friends and family help keep you going when times get tough. For students struggling to overcome challenges and keep a life balance, Alam suggest they “take things one day at a time.”

Click here for FULL Size

“In my undergraduate years as a bachelor of health sciences student, I was fortunate enough to be in a faculty that promoted growth through personal interaction, which made life easier knowing there was someone around to help who knew me personally,” says Alam. “University life can and will seem overwhelming at times, but if you go through each day with a calm and collected attitude, you will always find a way through it. Just harness the stress and use is it as motivation to get through the tough times rather than let it affect you negatively.”

Alam continues to develop his community involvement as an auxiliary Peel regional police officer. This includes working on patrol as a full-uniform officer assisting with various community needs such as 911 call response, special events, and traffic control.

Lambert and Alam, like their many successful student counterparts, are examples of students committed to the journey toward excellence.

“In promoting curiosity and a spirit of inquiry as well as creating new knowledge and innovative technologies, a university transforms the lives of individuals and the life of society,” said George at the reception. “A great university is measured by the contribution of its community to society, country and the world.”