Ray Ivany Student-Athlete Leadership Awards

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Athletics, Entering first year

Ray Ivany served as Acadia President and Vice-Chancellor from 2009 to 2017 and was vocal champion of Acadia's unique ability to help students pursue academic and athletic excellence. To be awarded to a female and male athlete in their first year of eligibility. Consideration will be given based on the student's commitment to a chosen varsity sport program, leadership qualities and good high school academic standing. The recipients will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with varsity Head Coaches.

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Raymond E Ivany Merit Award

Award | Eligibility: Entering first year

Established in 2017 by alumni and friends in grateful recognition of Raymond E. Ivany’s extraordinary contribution to Acadia as President and Vice-Chancellor 2009-2017, on the occasion of his retirement. The Raymond E. Ivany Merit Award is to be awarded to an entering domestic or international student in any full-time program on the basis of academic achievement, financial need, and future potential to exemplify the Acadia spirit. In particular, the successful applicant will be hard-working, focused, socially engaged, committed to excellence, determined to gain every possible benefit from an Acadia education and to use that education to make a difference in the world. Selection will be made by a special panel on the basis of an essay and/or interview.

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Reginald Moore Memorial Award in Geoscience

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Environmental Geoscience

Established in 2019 by Dr. Peter von Bitter (’64) in honour of his professor and mentor, Dr. Reginald George Moore, palaeontologist and stratigrapher, who taught geology at Acadia from 1960 until his retirement in 1992. To be awarded by the Department of Earth & Environmental Science to a returning full-time undergraduate student in a Geoscience program in recognition of promise, aptitude and emerging talent. Minimum average of B+ in geoscience courses required, and preference for students pursuing an interest in soft rock geology (sedimentology, stratigraphy, palaeontology).

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Rising Up Award

Award

Established in 2020 by Clive Anderson (’89) and Athline Littlejohn (’91), with the help of many friends and supporters. To be awarded to an entering or returning domestic Black student in any full-time degree program on the basis of demonstrated financial need, good academic standing, and involvement in school and/or community activities.

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Robert C. and Ola Swim Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Entering first year

The Robert C. and Ola Swim Memorial Award is awarded on a renewable basis to an entering student from West Kings District High School. Preference will be given to a student with demonstrated leadership, extracurricular, and/or community involvement.

The award was established in 2006. Robert Swim (BA Acadia, 1926; MA 1940) was the first principal at West Kings High School and spent many years serving the youth of Nova Scotia through the high schools and YMCAs as a teacher and administrator. Ola (Berringer) Swim displayed a keen interest in children throughout her life. She taught school in Lunenburg County and the Annapolis Valley for many years, in various roles: classroom teacher, miscellaneous school teacher, remedial reading teacher and principal of MacDonald Consolidated School in Middleton, NS. Although Mrs. Swim never attended Acadia University, she encouraged and helped prepare many students for scholarship there.

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Robert Tevekelian Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Robert Tevekelian Award, presented by the parents of the late Robert Tevekelian (Acadia, 1958), is awarded to the member of the Acadia Football Team judged by the coach and teammates the most valuable player of the season.

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Roberts-Vincent Entrance Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Prince Edward Island

The Roberts-Vincent Entrance Award will be offered annually in the amount of $1,000 to a student from Prince Edward Island entering full-time study, in any discipline, at Acadia University. The University may offer the Award to a student from another Maritime province should no student from PEI qualify. The Award has been established to recognize, memorialize, and pay tribute to Dr. and Mrs. Roberts through the kindness and generosity of their children and grandchildren. Dr. Athol L. Roberts, BA ’43, BSc ’49 and E. Ruth Vincent, BA ’44, BEd ‘73 met at Acadia, eventually married and settled on PEI where Dr. Roberts maintained a long and successful medical practice. Known as a kind and gentle physician who became the first president of the Canadian Medical Association from PEI, Dr. Roberts was also a member of the Acadia Board of Governors from 1968 until 1980. Ruth (Vincent) Roberts was the third generation of her family to attend Acadia. She had a very strong interest in learning disabilities, graduating with her second degree (BEd) on the same day as her son David. Ruth was a key driver in the formation of the Canadian and the PEI learning disabilities associations, serving on the inaugural board of both organizations. To date, five generations of this family have graduated from Acadia.

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Roger Creasor Hockey Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2020 by Nick Robinson ('04) and Cory Bast ('02). To be awarded to a returning varsity men's hockey player who has achieved Academic All Canadian recognition. Preference will be given to students enrolled in the school of business. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the varsity men's hockey program.

The award honours Roger Creaser ('70), an outstanding hockey Axemen and member of the Hockey Honour Roll. Roger's passion for the program continued long past his playing days at Acadia. His many contributions included attracting prospective hockey athletes to Wolfville. A retired RBC VP, Roger has inspired and helped graduating students on a path to future career success.

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Roland and Leona Mullen Business Award

Award of up to $2,500 | Eligibility: Arts, Pure and Applied Science, Economics, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan

The Roland & Leona Mullen Business Award is awarded annually on a renewable basis to a student entering the Bachelor of Business Administration degree program or the Bachelor of Arts degree program with a major in Economics. Preference will be given to a student from Western Canada (Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia) who demonstrates financial need; a commitment to entrepreneurship, community service and athletics.

The Award has been established by Kevin Mullen (B.A., Acadia, 1986) in recognition of his parents, Roland and Leona Mullen, entrepreneurs who own a Western Canadian family business. Kevin believes a student who demonstrates the qualities of entrepreneurship, community service and a commitment to athletics will represent the ideals valued by his parents and would like to ensure that students with these qualities continue to be represented at Acadia University.

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Ron and Cyndi Butler Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, Pure and Applied Science, Geology

The Ron and Cyndi Butler Award will be awarded annually on recommendation of the Director of Varsity Athletics to a varsity athlete who is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. Preference will be given to a student-athlete majoring in Geology.

The award was established in 2008 in memory of Ron Butler (BSC, Acadia, 1962) and Cyndi Butler by their son Craig Butler (BA, Acadia, 1991). While at Acadia Ron studied Geology and was a member of the Varsity Football Team.

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Ross Leighton Basketball Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Ross Leighton Basketball Award is awarded annually, on recommendation of the Director of Varsity Athletics in consultation with the Men’s Basketball Coach, to all-round academic students who have demonstrated leadership qualities on and off the basketball court. This award is funded by Ross Leighton (BSC Acadia, 1975) Ronald E. Smith (BBA Acadia, 1971) and David Hastings (BBA Acadia, 1974).

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Rotary Club of Wolfville-Acadia University Award

Award | Eligibility: Entering first year

The Rotary Club of Wolfville-Acadia University Award will be awarded annually on a renewable basis to a student who is a graduate of the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board, and who is entering the first year of a degree or certificate program at Acadia University. The eligible student must possess an outstanding high school academic record and demonstrate a “Rotary Spirit” via evidence of community service and/or leadership initiatives that have positively affected the quality of life of others. Preference will be given to students who exhibit financial need.

The award is provided by The Rotary Club of Wolfville in partnership with Acadia University to ensure that outstanding local candidates have an opportunity to attend university.

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Ruth Petrykanyn Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: International student

The Ruth Petrykanyn Memorial Award is presented annually to a student entering the final year of undergraduate studies, who has made significant contributions to the enhancement of student life at Acadia as determined by the executive of the Acadia Students' Union and the Vice-President, Student Affairs of Acadia University. Preference will be given to a student holding American citizenship; however, in the event that there are no eligible candidates from the United States of America, the award will be made to any worthy student. The Ruth Petrykanyn Memorial Fund was established in 2004 by Gail and Colin Petrykanyn and Kenneth Sedgewick. Ruth Petrykanyn BA ’02, BJ (King’s ’03) was President of the Acadia Students’ Union in 2000-2001; Vice President, Student Affairs in 1999-2000; and President of Cutten House in 1998-1999.

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