Celebrating the Class of 2020

As the undergraduate academic careers of the School of Kinesiology's Class of 2020 draws to a close, we want to celebrate all they have accomplished while at Western and salute the hard work and dedication that has led to their being awarded their degrees. Congratulations to all graduates.

Each year, we recognize members of the graduating class whose academic achievement stood out from their peers and earned them a prestigious Gold Medal. Meet the Gold Medal winners from the Class of 2020.

Class of 2020 Kinesiology Gold Medal Winners

Justin Cheng

Justin Cheng: Dr. Earle F. Zeigler Gold Medal

Awarded to the graduating student with the highest average in the final year of the 4-year Bachelor of Arts Honours Kinesiology program.

Justin joins the Class of 2020 graduating from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Specialization in Kinesiology. He thoroughly enjoyed the diverse range of elective courses that he was able to select during his degree, which allowed him to identify and explore his interests and potential career paths. Outside of class, Justin has enjoyed playing junior hockey and travelling internationally for tournaments. He gained valuable experience through the opportunities that he has had to coach, be a trainer, as well as a physiotherapist assistant, all while studying at Western. This fall, Justin will move on from Western to begin the Master of Science in Physical Therapy program at the University of Toronto.

Mattea Lee

Mattea Lee: Dr. Michael Yuhasz Gold Medal

Awarded to a graduating student with the highest average in the final year of the 4-year Bachelor of Science Honours Kinesiology program.

Mattea joins the Class of 2020 graduating from Western University with a Bachelor of Science Honours Specialization in Kinesiology with Scholar’s Electives. Mattea describes her time at Western as “exceptional and rewarding” and is thankful for the memories and life-long friendships that were made during her four years at Western. Mattea was very involved during her time at Western and had the opportunity to join many different clubs and teams, including the Health Science Soph Team. She was co-president of Right to Play Western and taught swimming lessons to children with disabilities through the SWAM club. On top of volunteering, Mattea conducted research in the WOLF Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab and the Exercise and Pregnancy Lab as a part of Scholar’s Electives. As she moves forward to her next chapter, as a proud Western Alumni, Mattea is looking forward to studying at University of Calgary Cummings School of Medicine.

Aidan Kwok

Aidan Kwok: Faculty of Health Sciences - Honours Baccalaureate Gold Medal

Awarded to the graduating Faculty of Health Sciences student with the highest average in an Honours Baccalaureate program or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program.

Aidan joins the Class of 2020 graduating from Western University with a Bachelor of Sciences Honours Specialization in Kinesiology with Scholar’s Electives. Aidan was very involved in the campus community during his time at Western. He participated in the REACH Conference, Scholar’s Connector, and was a Soph and Council Commissioner in Elgin Residence. Through intramural volleyball, his residence team won the coveted Purple Shirt. Aidan participated in Impact Experience during his spring break of 2nd year, travelling to Nicaragua to make an impact on a community abroad. Aidan will be joining McMaster Medical School to begin the next chapter of his studies.

Kara Godkin

Kara Godkin: Three-Year Major Gold Medal

Awarded for the highest average in a Major over all disciplines offered by the Faculty.

Kara joins the Class of 2020 graduating from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts Major in Kinesiology. Kara credits her ability to get involved with the many different aspects of student life to the amazing experience that she had at Western. As a very involved student, Kara chose Western for the academic program, fantastic teaching staff, flexibility to take courses that she was truly excited about and hands-on lab opportunities. She was involved in intramural sports, the Kinesiology Students’ Association, the Faculty of Health Science Students’ Council and the Ivey AEO blogging team. Additionally, she volunteered with many different events on campus, including the Winter Special Games. Off campus, Kara was involved with the London Special Olympics program as a volunteer coach. Back home after her studies, Kara is now volunteering at the Ottawa Heart Institute and Performance Sports Therapy Clinic. While Kara is sad to leave Western, she is incredibly excited to enter the Doctor of Chiropractic program at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto later this summer.

Anna Lee

Anna Shields: Dr. Willard J. L'Heureux Gold Medal

Awarded to a graduating student with the highest grade point average in the final year of the 3-year Bachelor of Arts Kinesiology program.

Anna joins the Class of 2020 graduating from Western University with a Bachelor of Arts Major in Kinesiology. While her hometown is Calgary, Alberta, Western has become like a second home for Anna. Anna was a Health Sciences Faculty Soph in the Orientation Program and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. She got involved with intramurals by playing on a soccer team. Throughout her studies, Anna volunteered at Western Foot Patrol, helping to provide a safe and secure environment on campus for her peers. In her final year, Anna worked as a Campus Tour Guide; welcoming potential and incoming students to Western’s beautiful campus. She is thankful for the people that she has met and all that she has learned through studying Kinesiology at Western. In the coming year, Anna will be continuing her studies and pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.