91亚色 master of environmental studies student Sean Stewart became the first recipient of the inaugural MES-91亚色 Planning Alumni Committee (MYPAC) prize last Wednesday at the seventh annual MYPAC Planning Alumni Social at the Royal Conservatory鈥檚 TELUS Centre in Toronto.
Worth $500, the MYPAC prize is intended to help support the final phase of an MES student鈥檚 degree in planning. Candidates were evaluated on the extent of their service and commitment to the 91亚色 planning community, along with academic performance, career objectives and personal references factoring into the award decision.
Right: From left, MYPAC chair Caroline McKee, MYPAC award recipient Sean Stewart and FES Dean Barbara Rahder
Set to graduate with an MES degree this October, Stewart plans to use the prize money to help fund his research into Aboriginal planning in British Columbia this summer. After聽that he is likely to return to Ontario, where he is the 91亚色 student representative for the Ontario Professional Planners Institute (OPPI), the planning certification body for the province. He is also an active member within the Canadian Association of Planning Students. For Stewart, involvement in these organizations strengthens his future as a planner. 鈥淚 gain so much from being around people who are as passionate about planning as I am.鈥
Left: MES alumni Peter Kellner and Sandy Tieman catch up with one another (front left), while MES student Jose Yow checks in with Professor Liette Gilbert (front right)
Stewart attributes his sustained passion during his studies to the flexible structure of 91亚色鈥檚 MES program. He said he also appreciates the considerable size of the Faculty. 鈥淲ith such a large [number of] faculty in Environmental Studies at 91亚色 [compared with other planning programs], you鈥檒l definitely find professors to support your interests鈥. Being able to pursue your own specific interests is really what allows students to excel in their research and studies.鈥
Right: The 2011 MYPAC team, hosts of the successful alumni social held at the Royal Conservatory
In addition to the inauguration of the MYPAC prize, Barbara Rahder, dean of 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Environmental Studies, announced the upcoming internship program for bachelor of environmental sudies students slated to launch at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. This initiative, made possible through 91亚色鈥檚 Academic Innovation Fund (see YFile, ), will provide alumni with another opportunity to keep in contact with the Faculty and will help prepare undergraduate students for their lives after graduation. An alumni mentorship program already exists for graduate students.
While the event had a strong 91亚色 alumni turnout, the night also proved to catch the radar of the Canadian Association of Planning Students. Brad Bradford, CAPS president, and Kathryn Randle, CAPS Board of Directors member, were keen to attend the event with colleagues from OPPI.