Congratulations to SERS' undergraduate award winners
With spring convocation taking place this week, join us in celebrating the ERS undergraduate award winners and others who have been recognized for their contributions to SERS. Some notes are from Faculty of Environment interviews of undergraduate award winners and interviews with ݮƵ's class of 2025 valedictorians.
Eloise Fan
Eloise graduated with a joint honours degree in Environment, Resources and Sustainability and Theatre and Performance (co-op). She is being awarded the Alumni Gold Medal for outstanding academic achievement in the Faculty of Environment as well as the Departmental Award for distinguished academic achievement in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability.
An interview with Eloise reveals how studying her twin passions of theatre and environmental issues led not only to a BES, but also to academic distinction.
Neha Lal
Neha received the President’s Award of Excellence in recognition of having the highest GPA in the faculty.
What is next for you?
I'm excited to be out in the field this summer working for a non-profit called Bird Ecology and Conservation Ontario. We're studying the impact of different cattle grazing regimes on the abundance and nest success of grassland bird species like the Bobolink and the Eastern Meadowlark. I'm also working on turning my undergraduate honours thesis on Saskatchewan shorebird populations into a published research paper. Although I'm taking a break from school for now, I intend to pursue a Masters of Science in biology in the near future.
What will you miss about ݮƵ?
I'm going to miss the many wonderful people I've met throughout my undergrad, especially my friends and peers in ERSSA, the Environment, Resources and Sustainability Student Association. They are some of the most intelligent, thoughtful, generous, and hardworking people I've met within ERS, both alumni and current students, and I am honoured and grateful to have been part of ERSSA all five years of my degree.
Putri Callinane
Putri delivered the valedictorian address at the Faculty of Environment convocation. She graduates with a degree in Environment, Resources and Sustainability with a minor in Economics.
For Putri, ݮƵ’s renowned co-operative education program and interdisciplinary pathways made it the ideal place to combine her passions in environmental studies and economics.
A highlight of her student journey include a two-week field course in Atlantic Canada and completing her undergraduate senior thesis on the experiences of women entrepreneurs in informal water markets. Being a valedictorian has very special meaning for Cullinane.
"With both my parents still living in Indonesia and having sacrificed a lot for me to be here, I feel incredibly honoured to have been nominated,” she says.
After convocation, Putri will join the Canada Water Agency as a policy analyst, a role she worked in part-time while completing her final year at ݮƵ.
Tara Ryan
Tara was recognized for her leadership and many contributions to the SERS community with the 2024-25 SERS Good Citizen Award. She had an amazing and positive impact on ERS students, faculty and staff. Tara served as President of ERSSA, helped the School navigate many issues and has been a tireless volunteer for numerous student activities and recruitment events.
After convocation, Tara will continue her academic journey, pursuing an MES degree with SERS in the fall.
Congratulations to all the ERS graduates!