When Mike Young, Artsci’16, came to Queen’s, he wanted to focus on his studies and not become too involved in campus life and volunteering.
“I thought, ‘Take the first year to be academically sound, and we will go from there.’ That lasted two days into Frosh Week. A guy asked me to run for first-year rep with him on CESA (Concurrent Education Students Association). We won the election,” laughs Mr. Young.
Fortunately for Queen’s students, Mr. Young continued to stay involved, including a two-year term ( 2014-2016) as Queen’s Rector – the official student representative on many university governing bodies.
His dedication to Queen’s and his fellow students is one of the reasons Mr. Young is receiving the Outstanding Student Award from the Queen’s University Alumni Association (QUAA).
Mr. Young was actively involved with campus life while he was a student, especially with issues related to human equity and mental health. He’s done everything from working with Walkhome to helping organize ConEd Orientation Week to running sexual violence bystander intervention workshops.
“A true student leader. Mike was – and continues to be – the true definition of a Queen's Gael,” says current rector Cam Yung, Artsci’17. “Mike used his voice to speak up for marginalized and underrepresented students at every opportunity. Mike advocated for greater access to mental health resources, and raised awareness on campus of issues facing the LGBTQ community, especially through Positive Space Program training.”
Mr. Young is humble about his accomplishments. He had a lot of support over the years and wishes the credit for his achievements could spread to other people. “It doesn’t feel right to accept this award without them by my side, but I understand how awards work. I just want to make it clear this is very much a ‘we’ thing and not a ‘me’ thing,” Mr. Young says.
He spent two years as the Queen’s Rector and dropped his course load during that time so he could focus on his duties. He is proud that he was able to help students who were going through difficult times.
Mr. Young feels it was a great learning experience to work alongside senior Queen’s administrators like former Bank of Canada governor David Dodge, Arts’65, LLD’02, Principal Daniel Woolf, Artsci’80 and Chancellor Jim Leech, MBA’73 (former CEO of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan). Members of the Board of Trustees – many of whom are leaders in their industry with decades of experience – would consult with Mr. Young on student issues.
“The personal growth I encountered throughout those two years is something that is hard to quantify. It completely changed my life,” says Mr. Young.
Mr. Young will be officially honoured at the QUAA Awards Gala on April 8 in Ban Righ Hall. Online registration for the Awards Gala is now open.
If you know of a talented and hardworking student who deserves to be recognized, consider nominating them for the Outstanding Student Award. Nominations are now open.
