Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
February 20, 2003
100,000th U of G graduate recognized at convocation
When Jamie-Lee Brown's name was called at the University of Guelph's Feb. 19 convocation ceremony, she expected only to receive her honours bachelor of arts diploma. Instead, Brown, her friends and family were all in shock when president Mordechai Rozanski announced she had just become the university's 100,000th graduate.
"I feel honoured and surprised," said Brown immediately following the ceremony. "I've loved every second I've been here and hope to do my masters and doctorate here."
Earlier in the ceremony, Rozanski explained that the afternoon's ceremony for the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences and the Ontario Veterinary College would produce the 100,000th U of G graduate since OVC's first convocation of students in 1866.
Brown, a psychology major, is a top student who has been actively involved in student life since arriving on campus in 1998. She received the Board of Governors Scholarship each of her four years at Guelph for academic achievement. In 1998/1999, she was also awarded a Merit Scholarship and the Frederick Hung Memorial Award. In the fall of 1999, she earned a Dean's Scholarship.
Brown participated in the co-op program and completed two work terms in the applied research branch of Human Resources Development Canada, developing content for the national longitudinal survey on children and youth. She studied volunteerism in older adults as part of her third work term for the Canadian Standards Association.
Brown's honours thesis, supervised by psychology professor Benjamin Gottlieb, examined coping mechanisms in university students. She is currently a research assistant in psychology professor Barbara Morrongiello's laboratory, studying injury prevention in children. Brown plans to continue pursuing her applied research interests and their implications for social policy. She has applied to continue her studies at Guelph in the graduate program in psychology.
Born and raised in Uxbridge, Ont., Brown decided to live on campus to get the full university experience. She worked for three years as a residence adviser and senior residence adviser in Mountain, Maritime and Lambton halls. She also served the Residence Life Programming Committee, co-chaired the Dressing for Dollars fundraising campaign and was a member of the Holiday Baskets committee.
In 2002, Brown received the Leslie Way Award for demonstrating outstanding academic achievement while performing her duties on Residence Life staff. She is currently employed part time by Residence Life to help with the hiring process for next year's student staff.
"Jamie-Lee is a wonderful representative of the 100,000 outstanding alumni this university has produced," said Rozanski. "This milestone gives us a chance to look back and appreciate those who have contributed to Guelph's reputation for excellence and to look forward to the many future graduates who will emulate their predecessors' successes."
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
