Harjot Shoker
Harjot Kaur Shoker is graduating with an Honours Political Science degree from the Bachelor of Arts Program. During her four years at McMaster, Harjot has had the privilege of a variety of leadership and advocacy roles such as a Leadership Developer for McMaster Student Union (CLAY) conference, a Community Advisor mentoring and supporting first year students in residence, as well as a past student athlete of the McMaster Women’s Lacrosse Team.
Harjot has a strong passion for policy, health and fitness. In the fall, Harjot is pursuing her Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy at the University of Toronto. She hopes to utilize her education in a way to help remove barriers and gaps that exist between marginalized communities and the health care system.
Harjot would like to dedicate this honour to her Sikh faith, and to her family who have always kept her grounded to her roots and showed unwavering support throughout every step of the way.
Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal
The Governor General’s Academic Medal is one of the most prestigious awards a student in Canada can receive. Established in 1873, this honour recognizes exceptional academic achievement at the high-school, collegiate, undergraduate and graduate levels.
Each year, McMaster awards three Governor General’s Silver Medals to the students at the university who have achieved the highest academic standing at the undergraduate level. Earning this accolade not only places this year’s recipients among the top students to graduate from McMaster; it places them among the top students in all of Canada.
Zachary Vrhovsek
Zac graduates with a Bachelor of Arts from the Honours Economics and Mathematics program.
In his undergraduate career, Zac has undertaken several research projects, including an analysis of the effects of universal child care and an investigation into the impact of climate change on the agricultural sector. As a research assistant at the McMaster Research Data Center, Zac contributed to a project to analyse prescription drug coverage in Ontario and Quebec.
In his spare time, Zac enjoys spending time outdoors. On the weekends you can find him hiking, fishing, camping, climbing or snowboarding. In addition, Zac has been an active member of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community, including two years as a volunteer coach.
“I would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Chris Muris for his dedicated mentorship and to my parents for their continuous support in everything I do.”
This fall, Zac will be attending the University of British Columbia to pursue a Master of Arts in Economics.
| Award | Recipient |
|---|---|
| The Audrey Evelyn Mepham Award | Briana Rose Nudo |
| The Bert MacKinnon Memorial Scholarship | Sage Hartmann |
| The CFUW-Hamilton Memorial Prize in Political Science | Alexandria Peacock |
| The Dr. Jean Jones Memorial Scholarship | Emunah Woolf |
| The Frank E. Jones Prize | Katherine Cooper |
| The Harry L. Penny Prize | Emunah Woolf |
| The Harry Waisglass Book Prize | Amelia Latour |
| The Hurd Medal | Zachary Vrhovsek |
| The Karl Kinanen Alumni Prize in Gerontology | Muna Jama |
| The McMaster University Retirees Association Prize | Sabrije Mitrovica |
| The Pioneer Energy LP Gerontology Prizes | Muna Jama |
| The Political Science Honours Essay Prize | Fiza Ahmed |
| The R. C. McIvor Medal | Arianna Davids |
| The Richard Slobodin Prize | Marissa Destro |
| The Ruth Landes Prize | Marguerite Ward |
| The University Scholarships | Marguerite Ward |
Elva Jamieson
Jamieson, who is from the Cayuga Nation of the Six Nations of the Grand River, has dedicated her life to protecting and sharing traditional Indigenous epistemology, language and culture. A traditional healer and a Faith Keeper within the Cayuga Longhouse, Jamieson taught the Cayuga language and was vice principal of the Kawenni:io/Gaweni:yo Elementary and High-school at Six Nations before founding Juddah’s Place, a collaborative care model clinic that offers primary care and Indigenous traditional services. Jamieson has shared her knowledge with McMaster students and also played a key role in the development of the University’s Indigenous Health Learning Lodge. Jamieson has also been a guiding voice in the Faculty of Health Science’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.