Alumni Gold Medal

Alumni Relations recognizes top graduating students for academic achievement, by awarding the Alumni Gold Medal at convocation.  The individually crafted 24-carat gold-plated medal is embossed with the university seal on the front. At fall convocation, the award is presented to a master’s and a doctoral student to recognize their academic excellence.  Students who graduate in spring or fall of the calendar year will be eligible for nomination.

Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs administers the nomination and selection process.  Each Faculty may nominate one student at the master’s level and one for the doctoral level.  Faculty nominations and final selection by the Advisory Committee on Graduate Scholarship and Awards, and the Associate Vice-President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs will use the following general criteria: 

• Scholarship/Research - in the form of publications, major research papers, presentations (normalized for research area); evidence of creativity/originality should be identified in some way (e.g., external examiner's report, or report from supervisor of research paper).
• Letters of support - these may be wide-ranging and may include comments from the faculty advisor, thesis committee, external examiner, Department Chair, Faculty Associate Dean, as appropriate.
• Grades – a minimum of first class standing (80%)

A list of the past Alumni Gold Medal winners can be found on the GSPA website.