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2024 Undergraduate Award Recipients

April 09, 2024

We are delighted to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the exceptional undergraduate students who have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in the Department of English at Toronto Metropolitan University for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Their dedication, passion, and scholarly excellence have not only enriched our academic community but also set a high standard for their peers. Through their commitment to literary studies, critical thinking, and creative expression, these award winners have demonstrated keen insights gained through a diverse range of courses in our program.

As we celebrate their accomplishments, we commend these students for their hard work, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering pursuit of academic excellence. Their achievements serve as a testament to their talent, perseverance, and commitment to scholarly inquiry.

We extend our sincere appreciation to the faculty and staff who have contributed to the success of these award winners. Together, we celebrate their achievements and look forward to witnessing their continued growth and success as they embark on their future endeavors.

Congratulations once again to all the undergraduate award winners in the Department of English at Toronto Metropolitan University.

 

Warm regards,

Dr. Dale M. Smith

Professor and Undergraduate Program Director

Department of English

Apharnaa Suthananthan

BA English Student Life Award

This annual award celebrates the achievements of one student who has made an outstanding contribution to the life, activities, and endeavours of the English department.

"Winning this award not only honors the contributions I have made to student life in English, but also emphasizes the importance of financially supporting student leaders, inspiring me and other students to continue making impactful contributions.
In the English program, I found both a welcoming atmosphere and strong support from peers, faculty, and staff. This sense of community not only facilitated my academic and professional growth but also helped me navigate the post-secondary system as a whole. I am incredibly grateful for the people in this program, as it has helped me develop a profound sense of belonging within the university."

Roberta Imboden Memorial Essay Award

This annual award is given to a third- or fourth-year BA English or English double-major program student who has written the best essay in an English course.

"Achieving this award not only fills me with joy but brings happiness to my parents who gave up so much for me to have this opportunity and reach for my dreams."
Su'Ada Fakhrudin
Sara Lewis

Innovative Media Award

This annual award is given to an outstanding English course project that extends the boundaries of the traditional academic essay using digital, visual, sound, performance, material and/or other cultural forms.

"I am honoured to have received the Innovative Media Award this year! I have always aimed to find balance between my passion for media and popular culture, and my interest in literature and information. Being recognized for doing so has further strengthened my commitment to pushing creative boundaries, and striving for excellence in my coursework."

BA English Academic Achievement

These four annual scholarships are granted to the students in the BA English or an English double major program who attained the highest cumulative Grade Point Average in a given year, with one scholarship designated for a student in each of the first, second, third, and fourth years of the program.

Taylor Preston

"I feel reaffirmed, aligned with my academic ambitions, and genuinely honoured! This recognition is a reminder hard work really does pay off and that following your passion is always the right answer. This award has given me the confidence to to face every challenge the future may present to me with the knowledge that beyond every obstacle, is growth."

Claire Hrabovsky

"Being selected as the recipient of this award has allowed me feel recognized, admired, and respected for my contributions to TMU's English program and has reminded me that putting forth my best efforts will always lead to success."

Jules Gajardo-Melanson

"I am honoured to have my academic efforts validated by this award. It has provided me with a new sense of motivation with which to approach my studies."

Sariya Adnan

"As someone in her last semester of university, this award particularly means a lot. I view it as a culmination of my efforts throughout my four years, and for that I am very thankful. It’s nice to know that the time and work I’ve put into my classes has not gone unnoticed. For anyone else struggling yet working hard, know that your efforts pay off eventually, in big ways and small: I will certainly remember this lesson. Thank you to the Awards Committee and all my professors for this opportunity and helping me reach this achievement."

Creative Writing Awards

Poetry

This annual award is given to the undergraduate student who has produced the most outstanding sample of creative writing poetry in an English course.

Emily Latosinska

"Being considered for the creative writing award among my esteemed peers was truly an honour in itself, and securing the victory is the epitome of fulfillment. I extend my sincere gratitude to all the professors and faculty memberswhose support has paved the way for this achievement in my writing career."

Prose

This annual award is given to the undergraduate student who has produced the most outstanding sample of creative writing prose in an English course.

Genevieve Eichammer

"Winning this award means to me that my writing is valuable. It demonstrates that my creative writing is worthy of recognition and I should pursue this craft further, even outside of my post-secondary studies."

English Essay Awards

First Year English Essay Award

This award is given to a first-year student who has written the best essay in ENG 110 or ENG 208

Abigail Apalit

"This award means so much to me. I remember working especially hard on this assignment, and really enjoying it!"

Senior English Research Essay Award 

This annual award is given to a fourth-year student who has written the best research essay in ENG 904 or ENG 910

Emmett Lyall

"I am incredibly grateful that an essay I spent days crafting is being recognized in this way. To be able to write about a topic that I love, and still have it be recognized in an academic setting is very refreshing and cool."