Queen’s top varsity student-athletes were recognized Wednesday as Athletics and Recreation hosted the 2018-19 Academic All-Stars breakfast in Grant Hall.

A total of 350 student-athletes achieved Academic All-Star status, having earned at least a 3.5 grade-point average over the past academic year at Queen's. The event was the eighth year the department has honoured the academic and athletic excellence of its student-athletes.

“We are so fortunate to have each and every one of you at Queen’s," Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Tierney says. “Because of your hard work and dedication to both academic and athletic pursuits, we are consistently among the top five schools in the country for the number of Academic All-Stars each year. I would like to recognize and thank our faculties and departments, coaches, academic advisors, Student Wellness Services staff, and the Athletics and Recreation staff for their leadership in creating an inspiring and supportive learning environment for our student-athletes.” 

Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Tom Harris and Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Leslie Dal Cin were also spoke to the student-athletes and congratulated them on their success.

The Nixon Academic Leadership Award was given out to the male and female athletes from both the varsity teams and clubs who have exemplified achievement in academics, community service and fair play in their sport. This year’s recipients of the Nixon Award are: Erin Lee, women’s swimming; Gavin Crowder, men’s fencing; Megan Saftich, women’s basketball; and Ejaz Causer, football. These awards are named in honour of Gord and Janet Nixon, two extraordinary benefactors to Athletics and Recreation.

For the third year the Pathways to Education academic leadership award sponsored by Freedom 55 Financial was presented to a male and female Pathways to Education high school student-athlete who have demonstrated commitment, discipline, resilience, leadership, and a positive attitude in combining academic achievement and athletic performance. This year’s recipients were Thomas Medeiros and Jazmin Millotte.

Queen’s Athletics and Recreation and its student-led Varsity Leadership Council partnered with Pathways to Education to create mentorship and educational opportunities for local high school students. The partnership also sees Queen’s Gaels Varsity Leadership Council host a group of Pathways students at Queen’s for a day to participate in activities, have lunch, and talk about what university and life as a student-athlete are like.

Approximately 40 per cent of Queen’s student-athletes were named Academic All-Stars this year. The varsity clubs with the highest GPAs were golf and curling, while the highest GPAs from varsity teams were from men’s volleyball and women's basketball.