Congratulations to our award winners!
Renison University College is pleased to announce our October 2022 Convocation Award Winners. These awards help to highlight some of our wonderful students, who have left a lasting impression on Renison through their academic achievement and contribution to our community.
Kayla Romero
winner of the President’s Special Award for Academic Achievement
Kayla Romero is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Social Development Studies.
Kayla began her journey at Renison and the University of Waterloo in the Fall of 2020. Prior to that, she completed the Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant Programs at Conestoga College, as well as the Pre-Health Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees Program. In high school, Kayla received an Honours Ontario Scholar Award and achieved a Specialist High Skills Major Certificate in Health and Wellness. In addition to her academic achievements, Kayla has been a long-time volunteer with her church and community organizations including Operation Christmas Child. Kayla plans to continue her studies and intends to complete a Master’s degree in occupational therapy and work toward a career in health care.
Heather Ruth Pham
winner of the BSW Award of Excellence
Heather Ruth Pham is graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
Heather is also a past alum of Renison, having received her degree in Social Development Studies from Renison years ago before joining the workforce and doing “life.” She decided to return to school to pursue her BSW and a career in social work. Heather currently volunteers at the Huron County Hospice doing grief, bereavement, and end-of-life support, as well as co-facilitating grief groups. Next up for Heather is a position with Age-wise as a Social Worker in a long-term care facility, but her future career goal is to work within the School Board supporting mental health.
Daniel Bowyer
winner of the BSW Award of Excellence
Daniel Bowyer is graduating with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree.
The Rev. Dan Bowyer has served as a priest of the Anglican Diocese of Huron since 2006. A graduate of both the Faculty of Arts (BA, 2002) and the Faculty of Theology (MDiv, 2005) at Huron University College, Dan currently serves in a team ministry as the associate priest at All Saints Anglican Church, Waterloo. Dan has recently also become the consulting social worker at a long-term care centre in Seaforth, Ontario.
Dan was the recipient of the Bishop Appleyard award on two occasions while he was a student at the School of Social Work at Renison. Dan also supports a gentleman living with Autism once per week through Community Living, Stratford and Area, the agency where he completed his practicum for Renison’s BSW program.
Dan serves as the chaplain for the Stratford Warriors Jr. B hockey team in Stratford, Ontario where Dan and his wife make their home. Dan looks forward to continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of others both in his vocation as an Anglican priest and in his work as a social worker.
Steven Michael Sunseth
winner of the MSW Award of Excellence
Steve is graduating with Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
Steve obtained his Honours Bachelor of Social Work degree, with a minor in Thanatology, from Western University where he was recognized on the Dean’s Honour List every year. Steve is an active volunteer with Victim Services Middlesex-London and St Joseph’s Hospice. He plans to continue his professional development through advanced clinical training programs that he will use to support individuals who have experienced complex and developmental trauma. He is grateful for all of the students across the country that he had the opportunity to work on projects with, and the faculty who provided so much support.
Meghan Derkach
winner of the MSW Award of Excellence
Meghan Derkach is graduating with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.
Prior to her studies at Renison, Meghan received a Bachelor of Social Work with a concentration in aging from the University of British Columbia, Okanagan. She received the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship two years in a row, and has been recognized by the Golden Key International Society for high achievement and academic excellence. Meghan is also a committed volunteer, working as part of the executive team at the Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA), a pan-Canadian non-profit organization. She is also co-president of the Parent Advisory Committee at Hillview Elementary, and volunteered for 10 years at the Cherryville Food Bank, which is now known as the Cherryville Community Food and Resource Society which she still serves in the position of Executive Director.
Meghan plans to apply her learning from the MSW degree to advocate for social justice, equity, and equality, and address the social determinants of health to increase access to resources. She is passionate about rural social justice issues, community development, aging-in-place, and equitable access to health care.