Alumni Awards & Recognition

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The School of Kinesiology Alumni of Distinction Award

Recognizes an alum who demonstrates significant impact in one or more of the following areas:

  • Professional achievement
    • The recipient is dedicated to their chosen profession and goes above and beyond in their line of work; they are a role model in their profession and this impact reaches groups, individuals, and/or their larger chosen profession
  • Significant contributions to research and/or education
    • The recipient stands out in the field of research as having made compelling and impactful progress towards the advancement of their discipline, and is committed to continuing their learning and education either through everyday practice or higher education
  • Commitment to community and leadership
    • The recipient is a leader who is committed to bettering their community or the Western community, successfully enriching the lives of others through community service and exemplary leadership

Current Winner

2026 Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient

Paul Gleason

Paul Gleason

The long time Defensive Coordinator of the Western Mustang Football team. The Mustangs have won ten Yates Cup titles, five Bowl Championships and two National Championship Vanier Cup titles during his tenure. Named the OUA Gino Fracas Assistant Coach of the Year on two occasions and was awarded Western’s Fran Wigston Eberhard Assistant Coaching Award, 3M Coaching Canada Award and received a London Police Services Board Citizen Citation.

Prior to joining the Mustang coaching staff, Gleason served as Head Football Coach of the Catholic Central High School Crusaders during which time he won more London Conference City Football Championships than any other head coach in the London Conference’s long history. On two occasions his teams were recognized as the best in Canada and he developed and sent over 60 players onto University football careers.

For over 30 years he taught physical education in the London District Catholic School Board. Was an innovator and passionate teacher of the Exercise Science and Fit For Life curriculum that he helped develop and deliver. Department Head of Student Services at Catholic Central High School. He was responsible for raising over $250,000 dollars for Canadian Cancer Campaign, United Way and the Make a Wish Foundation. While teaching at St. Thomas Aquinas High School he initiated a game day visit program for developmentally challenged students to Western football home games and for twenty summers co-owned and coordinated the Forest City Summer Football Camp, a developmental camp for young kids.

In 2019 he released his first book "The Mustang Legend" which documents the history of Western Mustang Football from 1908 to 2018. . A 198 page chronicle that is heavily documented with pictorial evidence and storytelling of the Mustang Football program. Gleason has also researched, produced and edited over 100 biographical video vignettes documenting individual Mustang players and teams that are featured at the Mustang Football Wall of Fame gala and on YouTube.

Gleason is currently preparing for the 2026 Western Mustang Football season.

Past Winners

2025

2025 Alumni of Distinction Award Recipient

Dr. Victor Ng 

Victor Ng

Dr. Victor Ng completed his BA (Hons.) and MSc in the School of Kinesiology at Western University and completed his Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree at the University of Manitoba. He returned to London to pursue his family medicine residency and emergency medicine fellowship training at Western University. He holds a Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) from Maastricht University, Netherlands and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors in Canada. 

Currently, Dr. Ng is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University. His academic interests are primarily in medical education with teaching responsibilities at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and continuing professional development level. At the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), he currently serves in a senior leadership role as the Director, Programs and Practice Support. Previously, he was a member of the CFPC Board of Directors, Editorial Advisory Board member of the Canadian Family Physician Journal and a member of the CFPC National Committee on Continuing Professional Development. 

At the World Organization for Family Doctors (WONCA), Dr. Ng is currently President, North America Region and Chair, Working Party on Education. In the past, he was the founding chair (2016-2021) of the special interest group on emergency medicine. He is frequently consulted by the World Health Organization on technical papers and a sought after medical education and health systems speaker globally. He is co-editor of the textbook Family Medicine in the Undergraduate Curriculum: Preparing medical students to work in evolving health systems. He is well published in peer reviewed journals in the areas of medical education, global health, leadership and is a sought-after speaker internationally. He has been recognized by numerous awards including fellowship from the College of Family Physicians of Canada.    

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Ng has served on numerous boards and mentored business and organizational leaders. Currently, he is chair of the board at Casey House Hospital and Foundation and board member at the William Osler Health System.