Lindsey Boshart packed her undergraduate years full of experiences inside and outside of the classroom, earning herself a gold Faculty of Science LEAD medallion on graduation day.
The biomedical science graduate, who is headed to the University of Toronto's medical school, says for she was involved in student leadership with both the Science Society and the Premedical Society as well as conducting undergraduate research in Dr. Simon Rondeau-Gagné's lab as an Outstanding Scholar. She also earned her gold medal by being a teaching assistant and studying abroad in Costa Rica.
"It is tough to pick a highlight but maybe Science Society because of all the people and the experiences," she says.
"But I also enjoyed my research group who were very supportive and encouraging and I got a lot of independence in my lab which taught me a lot of lessons."
Each year the faculty hands out bronze, silver and gold medals to those graduating students who have demonstrated Leadership, Engagement, Application, and Discovery (LEAD). Boshart was part of the annual LEAD Medallion Scholars ceremony in Alumni Auditorium on Thursday, June 5.
In total 172 graduating students earned a LEAD medallion for acquiring employable skills through activities such as leading and engaging in on-campus or off-campus organizations; pursuing study abroad; being a teaching assistant; completing an internship, co-op position, or service-learning course; or participating in undergraduate research.
Tiffany Huang is another gold medallist. She is also a third-generation science graduate as her father and grandfather are also UWindsor alumni.
In the 1990s her father, William Huang, studied the same double major of biology and psychology as his daughter. Tiffany's grandfather, Fore-lien Huang, finished a biology doctorate in the 1970s. The family travelled from Taiwan to attend Huang's convocation.
Gold LEAD Medallion Scholar Tiffany Huang shares a moment outside Essex Hall with her grandfather, Fore-lien Huang, and father, William Huang both fellow UWindsor science alumni. The family, who travelled from Taiwan for Tiffany's convocation, celebrates a proud legacy spanning more than five decades and three generations of scientific achievement. (Photo by UWindsor)
Fore-lien says it is exciting to be back in Windsor 55 years after being a student. William says it is different being back on campus.
"There's a lot of change, but a lot of things remain the same - the tradition, the people and the love for education. The faculty of science set me up well for dental school and I'm grateful for that."
Tiffany says it is surreal having her family in Windsor.
"I keep tearing up thinking about how the three-generations are actually here. It is emotional in the best way," she says. "I'm so happy they were able to make the trip here for my graduation. I'm also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to reintroduce Windsor to them through my own lens it's a full-circle moment that will always make me smile.
Tiffany will be continuing the family legacy of science as she begins dental school at New York University in the coming fall.
The Faculty of Science introduced the LEAD Medallion Scholars program in 2018 to recognize students in good standing who have excelled beyond the classroom by participating in high-impact experiences.
