Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013 - (Page 11)

gould Street outstanding students welcomed urshida Shahabuddin is a leader in more ways than one. The first-year student is one of six recipients of the President’s National Entrance Scholarship, a $40,000 grant over four years for incoming students with an outstanding academic record and dedication to their community. As a person with a disability, being in a wheelchair hasn’t stopped Shahabuddin from getting involved with her school and lending a hand to her fellow classmates. “People have this stereotype in their mind that because you have a limitation, you aren’t able to do anything,” Shahabuddin said. “But you just want to prove them wrong because they are wrong for having that idea in their head.” Shahabuddin is studying business management and as a high school student at Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute in Scarborough was involved in the library, volunteering as a librarian assistant during her lunch hours. She was part of the White Pine Reading Club, meeting group members weekly to discuss books on their reading list. She also volunteered in her high school’s language lab, helping students get access to computers and find quiet study space. “In Grade 9 I was very shy and timid but as I m got more involved in Grade 11 and 12, I made more friends and people began to approach me for help,” Shahabuddin said. “They started to understand I was just as capable as anyone else.” Ryerson was the only choice for Shahabuddin, who applied to three business programs at the university. “That’s how determined I was. If I didn’t get to go to Ryerson, I wasn’t going anywhere,” she said. “When I realized I wanted to go to university, I had to be outgoing and advocate for myself to accomplish things.” Her fellow scholarship winner Cameron MacDonald is pursing one of Ryerson’s newest programs, a Bachelor of Arts in English. In high school, MacDonald was involved in extracurricular activities as a performer in a jazz band, choir and in a lead role in the musical The Wiz. He also raised funds for Haiti and War Child by producing CDs. “That’s really where my influence started; in terms of performance, it all originated with lyric writing,” MacDonald said. “I’m really into poetry right now so it’s nice to connect the emotions from music into poetry and short stories.” He says his performance experience helps him think about different artistic endeavours and gives him a buffet of material to draw from. first-year english student cameron Macdonald’s combination of high marks and extracurricular activities earned him one of ryerson’s prestigious President’s national entrance scholarships. Last fall, one of his poems was published in The Claremont Review, a literary magazine for young adult writers. He chose Ryerson not only because it is downtown but also for its English program. “It’s a nice, modern twist on this area of study and being in the heart of downtown, you get that whole cultural experience,” MacDonald said. “Being in a program that’s so new, you feel like you can contribute to it more and be part of its development.” The following students are also President’s National Entrance Scholarship recipients: Angela Dan Cheng, nursing; Michelle Defilippis, contemporary science; Nela Gojevic, radio and television arts; and Karen Grubb, architectural science. BOARD OF GOVERNORS ALUMNI ELECTION Atifa rasoul has been re-elected as the alumni member to the board of governors for a three-year term that started sept. 1, 2012. congratulations to the seven candidates who participated in the 2012 election. n contributors: Antoinette Mercurio, shirley Moore, suelAn toye And JohAnnA VAnderMAAs. WINTER 2013 • ryerson university Magazine 11 http://www.ryerson.ca/mba http://www.ryerson.ca/mba http://mbablog.ryerson.ca http://www.ryerson.ca/mba

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013

Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013
Table of Contents
President's Message
Showcase
Gould Street
Picture Perfect
Photo Essay
Feels Like Home
From the boardroom to the delivery room – midwife Jasmin Tecson follows her passion
Flying with the Snowbirds – Capt. Iain Cummings realizes lifelong dream
Alumni Diary/VP Viewpoint
Class Notes
Remember When?

Ryerson Alumni - Winter 2013