Three outstanding students in the Faculty of Education were among a group of ten students from across the university to have their names added to the awards display wall in the Vari Hall Rotunda in Celebration of the fifth annual Robert J. Tiffin Leadership Award.

Liam Berkirsky (third year BEd with a focus on French as a second language and history); Melinda Phuong (second year MEd); and Michael Kenny (third year PhD), were honoured at a recent reception hosted by the Office of the Vice-Provost Students for their outstanding achievements in leadership, dedication, integrity and enthusiasm.

“It is wonderful to see the work of our students honoured through this award,” said Lyndon Martin, Dean of the Faculty of Education at York University. “The Faculty of Education is always proud of the incredible contributions our students make to York and the broader community and my congratulations go to Liam, Michael and Melinda.”

Liam Bekirsky (pictured left top row); Michael Kenny (pictured right second row); and Melinda Phuong (pictured centre, first row)

The Robert J. Tiffin Leadership Award was created to recognize current undergraduate and graduate students whose leadership has contributed to the growth, development and vitality of York University. Students were selected on the basis of their leadership and/or involvement, as well as outstanding academic achievement.

Robert Tiffin, the award’s namesake, served as York University’s vice-president, Students, or nine years before retiring in 2012. Tiffin was in attendance to hand out the awards to each of the winners and described the reception as “truly one of the biggest events of the year for me”. This is the fifth year for the award, and Tiffin noted that he is honoured to have his name associated with the recipients.

“I am always impressed by the diversity of ways in which leadership occurs here at York and this was truly evident as I went through looking at the nomination packages,” he said. “There were several key themes I found that really embody the York Education _ and this is mobilizing new ways of thinking, preparing engaged global citizens and building stronger communities.”