Undergraduate Awards

This award honours the lifelong dedication of one of the founding members of the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University. David Crombie, a member of Toronto’s urban reform movement in the 1960s, was Mayor of Toronto (1972-78) and Member of the Canadian Parliament for Toronto Centre (1978-1988). He served as Minister of Health and Welfare, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Secretary of State and Minister of Multiculturalism.  He is Chancellor Emeritus of Ryerson University.

This award is made possible by a generous donation from the law firm Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP.

The Solly Patel Memorial Entrance Award was created in 2009 to honour the memory of Solly Patel, who was a faculty member in the Department of Politics and School of Public Administration (as it then was), and served a term as the Department Chair in the 1980s.  Solly Patel retired in 1996, after 29 years of dedicated and distinguished service to Ryerson, and returned to South Africa, where he died on 30 March 2006 at age 71 years.  Solly Patel’s sister, Khatija Patel, made the endowed award possible through a generous donation.

Professor Solly Patel is remembered for his lasting contribution to Ryerson as a learning, teaching and scholarly community. He was a committed member of the Department of Politics and School of Public Administration (as it then was), and served as its Chair from 1981-1986.  He believed and struggled passionately for many causes including freedom in his native South Africa, and for participatory democracy in all spheres of university life.  He was a gifted teacher who believed that it was a great privilege to earn a livelihood teaching students – especially if the subject was his beloved political theory.  He retired in the summer of 1996, after 29 years of dedicated and distinguished service to Ryerson, and died in Johannesburg, South Africa on 30 March 2006 at the age of 71 years.

For over thirty years, Caroline Wheeler was a committed staff member at Ryerson University. She held the position of Departmental Assistant in the Department of Politics and School of Public Administration (as it then was) for a decade until her retirement in 1999. Ms. Wheeler is acknowledged for her many contributions to the Public Administration and Governance undergraduate program, her support for students and her diligence and commitment to the Ryerson community.

This award honours the lifelong dedication of one of the founding members of the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University. David Crombie, a member of Toronto’s urban reform movement in the 1960s, was Mayor of Toronto (1972-78) and Member of the Canadian Parliament for Toronto Centre (1978-1988). He served as Minister of Health and Welfare, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Secretary of State and Minister of Multiculturalism.  He is Chancellor Emeritus of Ryerson University.

The Gerda Kaegi Award is named for Professor Emerita Gerda Kaegi (opens in new window) , who was Department Chair from 1976-1981, and was instrumental in the founding of the first part-time undergraduate Public Administration degree program in Canada.

Hans Johanson had been a member of the Ryerson faculty for 15 years when he died on March 6, 1974 at the age of 49.  Born in Estonia, he came to Canada after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney, Australia.  He began his teaching career at Ryerson in 1959 and for seven years served as Assistant Chairman for the Social Studies Department, in addition to his duties as Professor of Economics.  Throughout his career, Johanson gained a reputation as an excellent teacher, skilled administrator and educational innovator.  He was the first to propose a full-time Public Administration program at Ryerson.  Professor Johanson is remembered as teacher whose influence will survive in the memories of those who were privileged to know him – his students, colleagues and friends.

The Solly Patel Memorial Entrance Award was created in 2009 to honour the memory of Solly Patel, who was a faculty member in the Department of Politics and School of Public Administration (as it then was), and served a term as the Department Chair in the 1980s.  Solly Patel retired in 1996, after 29 years of dedicated and distinguished service to Ryerson, and returned to South Africa, where he died on 30 March 2006 at age 71 years.  Solly Patel’s sister, Khatija Patel, made the endowed award possible through a generous donation.

Professor Solly Patel is remembered for his lasting contribution to Ryerson as a learning, teaching and scholarly community. He was a committed member of the Department of Politics and School of Public Administration (as it then was), and served as its Chair from 1981-1986.  He believed and struggled passionately for many causes including freedom in his native South Africa, and for participatory democracy in all spheres of university life.  He was a gifted teacher who believed that it was a great privilege to earn a livelihood teaching students – especially if the subject was his beloved political theory.  He retired in the summer of 1996, after 29 years of dedicated and distinguished service to Ryerson, and died in Johannesburg, South Africa on 30 March 2006 at the age of 71 years. 

This award honours Professor Emerita Carla Cassidy, who held an academic appointment in the Department of Politics and Public Administration for 33 years.  She was Interim Vice President Research and Innovation (2010-11), Dean of the Faculty of Arts (2001-2010), and Chair of the Department of Politics and Public Administration (1996-2001).

As Department Chair, Dr. Cassidy developed the partnership (opens in new window)  between the Department and the First Nations Technical Institute in Tyendinega that delivers the BA (honours) in Public Administration and Governance to First Nations administrators in various locations across Ontario.

As Dean, she ushered in nine (9) undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Arts, as well as many of the existing graduate programs.  She also participated actively in the fundraising for, and setup of, the Chair in Indigenous Governance.

Abeer Khan (2020)

The Ryerson School of Journalism Awards for 2020 were presented virtually on 20 May 2020 because of the COVID pandemic.  The winner of the 2020 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award was Abeer Khan.

Emma Sandri (2019)

Sarah Krichel, Editor-in-Chief of the Eyeopener (L), presents the 2019 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Emma Sandri (R) on 22 November 2019.

Sherina Harris (2018)

Jacob Dubé, Editor-in-Chief of the Eyeopener (L), presents the 2018 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Sherina Harris (R) on 23 November 2018.

Sarah Krichel (2017)

Sierra Bien, Editor-in-Chief of the Eyeopener (L) presents the 2017 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Sarah Krichel (R) on 20 November 2017.

Ryan Jeffrey Tuchow (2016)

Nicole Schmidt, Editor-in-Chief of the Eyeopener (L) presents the 2016 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Ryan Jeffrey Tuchow (R) on 28 November 2016.

Deni Verklan (2015)

Sean Wetslaar, Editor-in-Chief of the Eyeopener (L) presents the 2015 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Deni Verklan (R).

Zachary Pothier (2014)

Mohamed Omar, Editor-in-Chief of the Eyeopener (R) presents the 2014 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Zachary Pothier (L).

Ophelie Zalcmanis-Lai (2013)

Sean Tepper, Editor-in-Chief of the Eyeopener (R) presents the 2013 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Ophelie Zalcmanis-Lai (L).

Candice Kung (2012)

Lee Richardson, Editor-in-Chief of the Eyeopener (R) presents the 2012 Eyeopener-Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Candice Kung (L).

Matthew Kennedy (2011)

Dr. Colin Mooers, Interim Chair of the Department of Politics and Public Administration (L) presents the Eyeopener Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Matthew Kennedy (R).

Marta Iwanek (2010)

Dr. Neil Thomlinson, Chair of the Department of Politics and Public Administration (L) presents the Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Marta Iwanek (R).

Michael DeRuyter (2009)

Dr. Myer Siemiatycki, Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration (L) presents the Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Michael DeRuyter (R).

Andrea MacLean (2008)

Dr. Neil Thomlinson, Chair of the Department of Politics and Public Administration (R) presents the Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Andrea MacLean (L).

Jesse McLean (2007)

Dr. Neil Thomlinson, Chair of the Department of Politics and Public Administration (R) presents the Jay Sussman Memorial Award to Jesse McLean (L).

Jessica Whitby (2006)

Presented in absentia.

Diana Tseng (2005)