Students Honoured for Academic Excellence
At each spring Convocation, the University of Waterloo honours the top graduating scholar with the highest cumulative average in each honours program of study. Representing Peace and Conflict Studies and Music respectively, Chiara McLean and Tiffany Chan have combined strong scholarship and dedication to their disciplines throughout their degrees.
I learned that what divides us is often what we don't know about each other.
Chiara McLean
“I was drawn to Peace and Conflict Studies as I was always interested in what drives conflict and division in our world and wanted to learn more about the opportunities and work that can bring forth peace,” Chiara recalled. In her first year of university, she enrolled in Peace is Everybody's Business, quickly followed by Roots of Conflict, Violence, and Peace. Her interest was piqued and she went on to earn a joint BA in Political Science and PACS with a minor in Communications Studies.
“We live in a fear-driven world,” Chiara reflected. Taking Peacebuilding in Divided Societies helped her better understand possibilities for working toward peace. “I learned that what divides us is often what we don't know about each other. Taking that extra step to learn and listen and get to know the other side is when we realize we may have more in common than we initially thought.”
Active listening is an important skill that will stay with Chiara going forward. In Negotiation Theories and Strategies, she “learned that it is not winning that counts but rather understanding what the other side wants and finding a way to work together toward resolution, which takes patience and teamwork.”
“Receiving the highest mark in the PACS program is a true honour and privilege,” said Chiara. “I attribute my success to the PACS professors and their way of teaching and engaging me in class lectures and discussions.” Looking to the future, Chiara plans to use her peace education by working in the government as a diplomat or working with an international non-profit organization.
I really enjoyed the performance aspect because it allowed me to learn from different teachers and see what worked for me.
Tiffany Chan
In the Music Department, Tiffany Chan emerged as this year’s Departmental Award winner. Tiffany was drawn to study both Music and Biology at the University of Waterloo because she didn’t want to give up the musical aspects of her life. “I was in the regional strings program at my high school and was playing in an orchestra everyday for four years,” she explained. “When I entered university, I didn't know what I wanted to go into and wanted to keep my doors open, so I decided to pursue both.”
Tiffany studied many aspects of music including performance, theory, and history. “I really enjoyed the performance aspect because it allowed me to learn from different teachers and see what worked for me.” Connecting her music studies to science, she noted that there is a lot of psychology behind music and recommended the Music Cognition course for those who want to learn more.
“The small class sizes made me more comfortable speaking up in classes, which made me more comfortable speaking up in my larger science classes,” reflected Tiffany.
Putting her biology background to work, Tiffany plans to pursue a career in product development and innovation of cultivated meat. However, she isn’t putting her musical dreams aside. In the past she has enjoyed teaching music to young children and knows that is always an option. “I also have this dream of playing in an orchestra that records soundtracks, so who knows, maybe one day I will pursue that!”
Other Grebelites who are receiving Arts academic achievement awards this spring are Erin Keaveney for the highest marks in Religion, Culture, and Spirituality, and Theo Patterson for academic excellence in Theatre and Performance.
As convocation approaches this week, the Grebel community extends a hearty congratulations to all students who are graduating. This is a significant achievement and is well-deserved.
Graduating class, Music, 2026
Graduating class, Peace and Conflict Studies, 2026
