Local woman garners two prestigious medals at college graduation

All Ann Cox of Fort Frances wanted was to keep herself focused on her goal towards achieving a diploma in Human Resources at the Confederation College campus here.
She did that–and more.
During convocation exercises for the graduating class of 2000 last Thursday evening at the Townshend Theatre, Cox also received the prestigious Dean’s Medal and the President’s Medal (Business).
The first is awarded to the student with the highest grade point average in his/her graduating class while the latter goes to the student with the highest grade point average in each of the four disciplines within the seven regional campus divisions.
“I was just working away on my courses [and] I didn’t have any idea [Confederation College] had either of those medals,” Cox, the Human Resources administrator for the Northwest Catholic District School Board here, said Sunday, still in awe.
“I am really, really honoured,” she added.
Also earning a diploma in Human Resources were Kim Emes, Leanne Hahkala, Michael Heaney, and Tyson Wright.
Melissa Doupe, Rachel Bruyere, and Christina Patterson garnered diplomas in General Arts and Science last Thursday while Eileen Gagne, Helen Chang, and Theresa Raymond earned certificates in Professional Office Administration.
Shaari Clinker, Kelly Perlett, and Heidi Vos garnered certificates in Computerized Accounting while Sandy Bruyere earned one as a Computer Repair Technician.
“I was totally impressed with the calibre of all of the students I had,” said Ken Koprowski, who taught employment legislation and pay equity law courses at the college.
Koprowski also gave the prayer of invocation and the benediction at the graduation ceremonies.
“Cox was certainly a deserving recipient and an excellent student but what impressed me the most was that a lot of the students were single parents, had families, and were working more than one job to make ends meet,” Koprowski lauded.
“They were under the gun [and] put in some remarkable time and effort to do as well [academically] as they did,” he added. “They made my year one of the most enjoyable years I could have had.”