The University of Prince Edward Island acknowledges the achievements of our graduating students, as well as the generous support of donors, by presenting Senior Class Awards every year. Several major prizes and medals are presented at the Convocation ceremonies while other awards are celebrated at a number of events during Convocation Week. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UPEI was unable to present the 2021 Senior Class Awards in person and instead notified recipients in May after their Online Presentation of Graduates.

View the full list of 2021 Senior Class Award Winners

Major Prizes and Medals

Dr. Peter Kimeli, Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Medicine, is the winner of the graduate Governor General's Medal and the Faculty of Graduate Studies Award of Distinction, which are awarded to the graduate student who has achieved the highest academic standing in a combination of course work and thesis, and whose record in the program is so distinguished as to warrant special recognition.

Will Taylor-Melanson, Bachelor of Science, Honours, Computer Science is the winner of the undergraduate Governor General’s Medal, which is awarded to the graduating student who has achieved the highest aggregate in four years of an undergraduate program. He is also the recipient of the Ambrose Lee Graduation Prize (Science)for the highest aggregate in the Faculty of Science and the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences Graduating Student Award, granted to the top graduating major or honours student from the School of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, as recommended by the SMCS Awards Committee.

Rachel Hamilton, Bachelor of Arts, Honours, History, is the recipient of the UPEI Alumni Association Graduating Student Award and the Ambrose Lee Graduation Prize (Arts), for having the highest aggregate in the fourth year of the Arts program.

Drew MacLean, Bachelor of Science, Biology, is the recipient of the H. Wade MacLauchlan Raised Expectations Graduation Medal for having the academic standing that has improved the most, compared to their entering grades at UPEI during their 4 or 5 years of study.

Emma Campanaro, Bachelor of Arts, Honours, English, is the winner of the Dr. J. Regis Duffy Academic Achievement Award, awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated to an outstanding degree the qualities of scholarship and leadership within the University community, and who is not receiving a Governor General's Medal. 

Jonelyn Dehaan, Bachelor of Science, Nursing, is the recipient of the Dr. Margaret F. Munro Nursing Scholarship, awarded to the Nursing student(s) with the highest overall standing in fourth year.

Tessa Janes, Bachelor of Education, is the recipient of the Faculty of Education Prize, awarded to a graduating Education student who has embodied the principle of social justice, collaboration, and global mindedness and who has achieved a high level of scholarship and involvement throughout the Bachelor of Education program.

Zackery Montreuil, Bachelor of Business Administration, is the recipient of the Michael F. Cassidy Business Life Award, granted to the graduating Bachelor of Business Administration student with the highest aggregate in the last 20 three semester-hour courses.

Pieter Vanleeuwen, Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering is the recipient of the Professor Don MacEwen Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering Inspirational Award, awarded to a student graduating from the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering program who is an inspiration to classmates; demonstrates academic excellence and exceptional engagement in project-based design; and has shown the highest ethical standards as demonstrated by Professor MacEwen over his many years of outstanding teaching and engineering practice.

Jamie Pearson, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, is the recipient of the R. G. Thomson Academic Achievement Medal, awarded to a graduating student in Veterinary Medicine who has the highest cumulative grade average for all courses taken during the four-year program.

Jenna Mae Ellsworth, Bachelor of Science, Psychology, is the recipient of the Rory Beck Outstanding Academic and Athletic Leadership Award, awarded to the graduating student who has displayed the most outstanding dedication to athletics, academics, leadership and campus spirit throughout their undergraduate studies.

Congratulations to all 2021 Senior Class Award Winners!