Seventy-five exceptional FPHE students were honoured at the Reception for Scholars held November 19th at the Isabel Bader theatre.

Awards were handed out by donors, friends of the faculty and its members to students on the basis of academic merit, leadership skills, and contributions to the community.

PHEUA president Spencer McClung — who received four awards that evening —  addressed and thanked the professoriate. He noted, in particular, the recent achievements of Professor Gretchen Kerr and Dean Bruce Kidd.

Professor Kerr, in May, received a prestigious teaching award from the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations. Dean Kidd was acknowledged for several accolades, including a Commonwealth lifetime achievement award and an honourary degree from Dalhousie University.

“Without the passion, dedication and support of these amazing faculty members here in Phys Ed, many of the goals we set for ourselves –  both in the classroom and in our communities – wouldn’t be nearly as  achievable,” said McClung.

U of T track and field team founder and renowned coach Andy Higgins was the guest speaker for the event. Higgins, a U of T Sports Hall of Fame and Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame inductee, gave an inspiring talk about success, ambition, and the significance of being a health educator.

Awards were then handed out at all levels of academics. Standout new students were welcomed to the Faculty with the Dean’s Entrance, Jean Forester and Donald H. H. MacKenzie scholarships. Students who have significantly improved their grades over the year were also acknowledged. Many of the evening’s honourees were  members of the Physical and Health Education Undergraduate Association and the Exercise Sciences Graduate Student Society.  Outstanding researchers in the graduate and undergraduate departments were also acknowledged.

 “These students achieve not only academic success but are engaged with their communities through extracurricular activities, athletics and volunteer work,” says Bruce Kidd. “They are intelligent, driven and talented leaders and we are proud to call them our own.”

For a list of award recipients, as found in the program, click here.