Posted on June 5: Two students win Governor General’s Academic Medal

McMaster University acknowledges Roxanne Lai, Faculty of Humanities and David Zywina, Faculty of Science as recipients of the 2003 Governor General's Academic Medal. It is very rare to have more than one recipient of this prestigious award in a given year, but with special approval from the Governor General's Office, medals are presented to Lai and Zywina who both had a cumulative average of 11.9 out of a possible 12 points.

Roxanne Lai graduates from Honours Linguistics and plans to continue her education this fall to become a physician for disadvantaged populations. Not a traditional educational path, she chose to do her undergraduate degree in humanities instead of sciences. Focusing on languages, psychology and culture provided her with the 'human side' that is important to her for the type of medical career that she plans to pursue.

An inspiration to many, Roxanne dedicates endless hours to volunteer work with the Hamilton Program for Schizophrenics and experience in unique fields of medical care and humanitarian aid. She supports the Peace Through Health organization, which provides physicians the opportunity to use health initiatives to bring together nations in conflict. In May 2000, Roxanne traveled to Honduras to work with disadvantaged families through the Global Youth Network and Habitat for Humanity.

In 2002, Roxanne was the recipient of the Chancellor's Gold Medal as well as the A.G. Alexander Scholarship for excellence in an Honours Humanities program for studies outside of Canada.

David Zywina is completing his undergraduate degree from the Faculty of Science where he studied Honours Mathematics.

With tremendous talent, interest and enthusiasm, David excelled right from start of his university career by completing the advanced placement exam. His rate of learning continued at an incredible pace allowing David to complete his undergraduate program as well as some graduate level courses. His summer work experiences provided him with the opportunity to participate with advanced mathematics studies with McMaster faculty.

David has received numerous academic awards and scholarships including the H.L. Hooker Scholarship, the S.L. Squire Scholarship, the MUFF IC Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement, the G.A. Young Scholarship, and the Class of '44 Scholarship.

Following graduation David will pursue his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, an institution renowned for its advanced mathematics programs.

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<p>McMaster University acknowledges Roxanne Lai, Faculty of Humanities and David Zywina, Faculty of Science as recipients of the 2003 Governor General&#039;s Academic Medal.  It is very rare to have more than one recipient of this prestigious award in a given year, but with special approval from the Governor General&#039;s Office, medals are presented to Lai and Zywina who both had a cumulative average of 11.9 out of a possible 12 points.</p><br />
<br />
<p>Roxanne Lai graduates from Honours Linguistics and plans to continue her education this fall to become a physician for disadvantaged populations.  Not a traditional educational path, she chose to do her undergraduate degree in humanities instead of sciences.  Focusing on languages, psychology and culture provided her with the &#039;human side&#039; that is important to her for the type of medical career that she plans to pursue.</p><br />
<p>An inspiration to many, Roxanne dedicates endless hours to volunteer work with the Hamilton Program for Schizophrenics and experience in unique fields of medical care and humanitarian aid.  She supports the Peace Through Health organization, which provides physicians the opportunity to use health initiatives to bring together nations in conflict.  In May 2000, Roxanne traveled to Honduras to work with disadvantaged families through the Global Youth Network and Habitat for Humanity. </p><br />
<p>In 2002, Roxanne was the recipient of the Chancellor&#039;s Gold Medal as well as the A.G. Alexander Scholarship for excellence in an Honours Humanities program for studies outside of Canada.</p><br />
<br />
<p>David Zywina is completing his undergraduate degree from the Faculty of Science where he studied Honours Mathematics.</p><br />
<p>With tremendous talent, interest and enthusiasm, David excelled right from start of his university career by completing the advanced placement exam.  His rate of learning continued at an incredible pace allowing David to complete his undergraduate program as well as some graduate level courses.  His summer work experiences provided him with the opportunity to participate with advanced mathematics studies with McMaster faculty.</p><br />
<p>David has received numerous academic awards and scholarships including the H.L. Hooker Scholarship, the S.L. Squire Scholarship, the MUFF IC Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement, the G.A. Young Scholarship, and the Class of &#039;44 Scholarship.</p><br />
<p>Following graduation David will pursue his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, an institution renowned for its advanced mathematics programs.</p>

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