Award Winners - Convocation June 2020

Kara Elizabeth Hume, winner of the Board of Governors Medal for Academic Achievement

Kara is graduating from a joint Honours in Social Development Studies (SDS) and Psychology, with a minor in Sexuality, Marriage and Family, and an individual well-being and development specialization. She is passionate about social justice and mental health, and has been very involved at Renison, having lived, volunteered, and worked here! She has also volunteered at HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre and Toronto Cat Rescue, and worked as a Direct Support Professional at Community Living in Guelph – all while completing her degree!

Kara has received multiple awards throughout her time at Renison, including the President’s Entrance Scholarship, the continuing scholarship, the SDS 4th-year scholarship, and two scholarships from the Canadian Pacific Railway. In September, she will be starting her Master of Education degree in Counselling Psychology at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, at the University of Toronto. She plans to become a therapist who works in community mental health.

Julia Margaret Crovetto, winner of the Social Development Studies Book Prize for Academic Achievement

Julia is graduating with a degree in Social Development Studies, with a Social Work specialization. In addition to this award, she received the President’s Scholarship in 2018, and continuing scholarships in both 2019 and 2020. During her degree, she has also been a volunteer at Grand River Hospital and Forest Hill Public School.  Julia will be beginning a Bachelor of Social Work degree at Renison in September, and intends to continue on to complete a Master of Social Work degree.

Mark Christopher Hill Frayne, winner of the President’s Merit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Life at Renison

Mark has lived at Renison for the past five years, while completing his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering. In addition to this award, he has received the Dave Connolly Award from Renison, and the Engineering Society President’s Award. Mark has been an active member of the Renison community, volunteering for two terms as the secretary of Renisix, and helping with the organization of Wind Out.  Mark has been a fixture at Renison Open Houses, having volunteered at eight over the course of his university career, along with two Move-In days. Mark has also helped with countless college dinners and other Renison events, and has acted as a Residence Life Peer Leader over the last year.

Aside from the contributions to Renison, Mark has held several directorships with the Waterloo Engineering Society, organizing three semi-formal dances, and represented his class on the society council, and served as one of the Academic reps for his class for a total of six terms.  His future plans are not set, but he is considering beginning a Masters degree in Engineering.

Melysa Torrey, winner of the President’s Merit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Life at Renison 

Melysa is graduating with a Bachelor of Science Honours degree, with a joint major of Science and Social Development Studies, and a minor in Biology. In addition to this award, she has also received the Debbie Kennedy Memorial Don Award, Renison Principal’s Scholarship for Excellence, and earned a place on the Dean’s Honours List.

Melysa has made an incredible impact on the community of Renison as President of the Renison Academic Student Council, a Don and Senior Don in Renison residence for three years, and a Social Statistics Teaching Assistant at Renison. She has also served as Ambassador for the Faculty of Science, an Undergraduate Representative on Faculty Committee for Student Appeals, a Volunteer Teaching Assistant for the School of Anatomy, and as a member of Waterloo’s branch of Best Buddies. Melysa has also volunteered her time as a Chemotherapy Suite Volunteer at the Grand River Hospital Cancer Clinic, and as an Assistance to Genetic Counsellors at Grand River Hospital. She is heading to Montreal in September to pursue a Master of Nursing degree at McGill University.

Rachel Braun, winner of the Marguerite DuBois Prize
for Applied Language Studies

Prior to completing the Applied Language Studies (APPLS) diploma, Rachel completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Waterloo in 2014, followed by a graduate certificate in the Communicative Disorders Assistant program at Georgian College in 2015. This year, in addition to her APPLS diploma, Rachel also completed a diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) at Waterloo. 

Rachel is currently a volunteer Research Assistant in the Lab for Infant Development and Language (LIDL) in the department of Psychology at Waterloo. She will begin her Master of Science degree at Waterloo in September, studying Psychology in Developmental and Communication Sciences. In the future, Rachel plans to become a Speech Language Pathologist.