The Feds announcement notes that "the award is presented every year to professors who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to undergraduate student learning... Michelle has inspired numerous students with her enthusiasm for math and her passion for learning."
Prof. Ashburner was also recognized as the University of Waterloo winner of the 2016 Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Award for Teaching Excellence, presented to "educators who excel at unlocking the potential of Ontario’s young people."
The awards were presented at the OUSA Partners in Higher Education event. In attendance were Reza Moridi, Minister of Research and Innovation, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities; Sheldon Levy, Deputy Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Catherine Fife, MPP Kitchener-Waterloo.
Pictured above are (left) Stephane Hamade (Feds VP Education) presenting to Prof. Ashburner on the right.