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The K.D. Fryer Gold Medal is conferred at fall convocation to one graduating student each academic year. This year’s award goes to Jordan Long (BMath, ‘21).

Long graduated in June with an honours degree, having completed a major in pure mathematics and a minor in computer science. In every semester throughout his program, he kept up an excellent academic standing and graduated on the dean’s honours list.

Although academic performance is an important criteria for the award, it is unique in that it recognizes all-around student contributions or service to the university and the wider community. Extra-curricular activities, volunteering, community activism and work for student societies and organizations all play a part in the award, which is decided upon by an awards committee in the Mathematics Undergraduate Office.

This year’s recipient certainly represents the values that the K.D. Fryer Gold Medal stands for. Along with exceptional grades and an outstanding undergraduate academic career, he is motivated by a steadfast commitment to social purpose.

“I’ve chosen to do things that energize me,” Long said. “I remember in first year setting myself a goal to try and optimally align what I can produce with what the world needs. I can’t say I’ve done that in every way or been entirely successful in that goal, but it’s been a good guideline for making decisions.”

In first year, Long was a member of the ��ݮ��Ƶ chapter of the non-profit Enactus. He gave his time consulting with Syrian refugees interested in starting local businesses, and selling hot chocolate in the SLC to raise funds for Enactus’ elementary school student program for Syrian refugees.

Long was also active in the cultural life of the university, specifically in music. He was a member of a number of campus bands, including the well-known group Midnight Shift. He was also part of the a capella group Unaccompanied Minors, the Conrad Grebel Chamber Choir and played piano for the university’s jazz ensemble. Long also served on various executive and directorial roles for the ��ݮ��Ƶ a capella club.

University life was not without its challenges, however. Long encountered problems and had to deal with adversity, even if the difficulties were not always in the classroom.

“I think the biggest hurdle for me in my time at ��ݮ��Ƶ was addressing mental health concerns and some of the stressors of being a student,” he said. “Specifically, there was some social anxiety and the feeling of not really fitting in. It’s something that was hard but I also worked through some of those issues by talking to people and relying on a strong support network, which I’m grateful for.”

Long’s gratitude extends also to his family, friends and other members of the university community that helped him along the way. It was all about the people he could turn to, he said.

“I definitely have to thank my parents,” he continued. “I grew up in ��ݮ��Ƶ and having them close was a big help both in terms of giving me a meal and listening to me if I was stressed out. They’ve taught me to work hard and to try to give back, so it’s meant a lot to have them in my corner.”

Long also specifically mentioned his gratitude to his professors for their teaching and for helping to foster a community of math students, and also his many friends in the math program, in residence and in music.

Asked what’s in store next, Long said he is already enrolled in a master’s program in economics at the University of Toronto.

“I love economics for the way it uses the language of math to describe the social world and figure out some of the important problems we’re facing as a society,” he said. “I’m interested in exploring that, and I also want to keep music in my life.”

“I’m not much of one for giving advice, but to any students at ��ݮ��Ƶ, I’d say try to always be looking for something that you love. Don’t feel like you have to try to get a prestigious job. Try to find something you love by searching for what authentically energizes you.”