Celebrating Excellence at King's Convocation
As part of Spring Convocation, King’s celebrates the academic achievements of graduating students and recognizes members of the faculty who have made lasting contributions to the King’s community.
Board of Directors’ Gold Medal Award Recipients
King’s is proud to recognize the recipients of the 2025-2026 Board of Directors’ Gold Medal Awards. These prestigious awards recognize the top graduates in each academic category for their exceptional academic performance in their final year.
- Four-Year (Honours) Bachelor of Arts - Honours Specialization Social Science: Yutao Yin, Honours Specialization in Economics
- Four-Year (Honours) Bachelor of Management and Organizational Studies - Honours Specialization: Tyler Tiffin, Honours Specialization in Finance and Administration and Minor in Economics
- Three-Year Bachelor of Arts – Major: Lauren Bertrand, Major in Psychology
- Four-Year Bachelor of Arts – Major: Julia Sargent, Major in Childhood and Youth Studies
- Four-Year (Honours) Bachelor of Arts - Honours Specialization Interdisciplinary Programs: Abigail Maguire, Honours Specialization in Childhood and Youth Studies and Minor in Psychology
- Four-Year (Honours) Bachelor of Arts - Honours Specialization Humanities: Jacob Thomson, Honours Specialization in Philosophy and Minor in Social Justice and Peace Studies
- Four-Year (Honours) Bachelor of Arts - Honours Double Major Interdisciplinary Programs: Hannah Van De Peer, Honours Double Major in Human Rights Studies and Social Justice and Peace Studies
- Four-Year (Honours) Bachelor of Arts - Honours Double Major Social Science: Logan Carr, Honours Double Major in Psychology and Thanatology
- Four-Year (Honours) Bachelor of Arts - Honours Double Major Humanities: Olivia Irons, Honours Double Major in History and English Language and Literature
- Four Year (Honours) Bachelor of Social Work - Honours Specialization Social Work: Mo Kajan Honours Specialization in Social Work and Major in Psychology
The recipients are recognized for their hard work, dedication and academic excellence throughout their time at King’s.
For this year’s Gold Medal recipients, the recognition reflects not only academic achievement, but also the mentorship, support and sense of purpose that shaped their time at King’s.
“Receiving the Gold Medal for the highest average in Childhood and Youth Studies is an exceptionally profound honour,” says Julia Sargent, recipient of the Four-Year Bachelor of Arts - Major Gold Medal. “I am eternally grateful for my family’s support and the transformative mentorship of Drs. Hunter Knight and Jennifer Silcox in the CYS Department. This distinction strengthens my path as Lead Research Assistant to Dr. Knight, where I centre lived experiences to critically examine school seclusion and advocate for a future where every child is treated with dignity.”
“Receiving this award reminds me of where I started,” says Jacob Thomson, recipient of the Four-Year (Honours) Bachelor of Arts - Honours Specialization Humanities Gold Medal. “The beginning of my university journey, which took place at a different institution, was marked by significant personal challenges, and for a long time I doubted that I would ever complete a degree.”
“I am grateful to King’s for giving me the opportunity to start fresh and complete my studies, especially to the Philosophy Department, whose program has challenged how I think and how I live. Above all, I am grateful to my family. I would not have returned to university without their patient love and encouragement. I will carry that with me always,” says Thomson.
Together, their reflections highlight the academic excellence, personal growth and meaningful relationships celebrated at Spring Convocation.
King’s Scholars
Seven graduating students also achieved King’s Scholar status. The King’s Scholar program is designed for intellectually curious students to gain a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural and political context of 21st-century global dynamics. The program features an integrated and interdisciplinary approach that engages students in experiential study of the ideas, cultures, structures and events that shape our world. King’s Scholar students may earn an extra, recognized designation of academic achievement and excellence for their Western transcript.
The students graduating with King’s Scholar status are:
- Victoria Byers, Honours Specialization in Psychology and The New Liberal Arts Program
- Liam Couillard, Double Major in Politics and International Relations and History, and The New Liberal Arts Program
- Findley Ho, Honours Specialization in History and The New Liberal Arts Program
- Braedan Lovie, Honours Specialization in Social and Political Thought, Major in French Language and Literature, and The New Liberal Arts Program
- Faith McDermott, Honours Specialization in Psychology and The New Liberal Arts Program
- Danika Spoelstra, Honours Specialization in History and Minor in Sociology
- Ian Topham, Double Major in History and English Language and Literature, and The New Liberal Arts Program
Convocation also provides an opportunity to recognize faculty members who are retiring from King’s as of July 1, 2026. Through their teaching, scholarship, mentorship and service, these faculty members have helped shape the academic life of King’s and contributed meaningfully to generations of students, colleagues and the broader community.
Retiring Faculty Members
King’s extends its sincere appreciation to the following faculty members for their years of dedicated service and lasting contributions:
- Dr. Laura Beres, Full Professor, School of Social Work, has retired after 22 years and received Professor Emerita status.
- Dr. Sergio Janczak, Full Professor, School of Management, Economics, and Mathematics, has retired after 25 years and received Professor Emeritus status.
- Dr. Don Kerr, Full Professor, Sociology, has retired after 23 years and received Professor Emeritus status.
- Dr. Laura Lewis, Associate Professor, King’s School of Social Work, has retired after 21 years and received Professor Emerita status.
- Dr. Brian Patton, Associate Professor, English, French, and Writing, has retired after 32 years and received Professor Emeritus status.
- Dr. Rosemary Vito, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, has retired after 10 years and received Professor Emerita status.
Their contributions reflect the depth of expertise, care and commitment that define the King’s community. We thank them for the many ways they have strengthened King’s and wish them all the best in retirement.
Congratulations to all members of the King’s community honoured as part of Spring Convocation.