Governor General's Academic Medal
Encyclopedia
The Governor General's Academic Medal is awarded to the student graduating with the highest grade point average from a Canadian high school, college or university program. They are presented by the educational institution on behalf of the Governor General
.
, Canada
’s third Governor General after Confederation in 1873.
Canadian citizenship is not a prerequisite for the award.
There is no monetary award associated with the Medal.
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
.
History
The medals were created by Lord DufferinFrederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava
Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, KP, GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, PC was a British public servant and prominent member of Victorian society...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
’s third Governor General after Confederation in 1873.
Criteria
To maintain a spirit of universality across the country, the medals are awarded on academic marks only, regardless of the more intangible qualities of students’ life, such as good citizenship, moral behaviour or popularity. It is the responsibility of the educational institution to determine a clear winner every year, as students cannot jointly be awarded one medal.Canadian citizenship is not a prerequisite for the award.
Famous Recipients
Famous recipients include:- Pierre TrudeauPierre TrudeauJoseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
- later as Prime Minister of Canada and federal Liberal Party leader - Tommy DouglasTommy DouglasThomas Clement "Tommy" Douglas, was a Scottish-born Baptist minister who became a prominent Canadian social democratic politician...
- later as Premier of Saskatchewan, leader of the CCF and federal NDP - Robert BourassaRobert BourassaJean-Robert Bourassa, was a politician in Quebec, Canada. He served as the 22nd Premier of Quebec in two different mandates, first from May 12, 1970, to November 25, 1976, and then from December 12, 1985, to January 11, 1994, serving a total of just under 15 years as Provincial Premier.-Early...
- later as Premier of Quebec and Quebec Liberal leader - Robert StanfieldRobert StanfieldRobert Lorne Stanfield, PC, QC was the 17th Premier of Nova Scotia and leader of the federal Progressive Conservative Party of Canada. He is sometimes referred to as "the greatest prime minister Canada never had", and earned the nickname "Honest Bob"...
- later as federal Progressive Conservative Leader and Leader of the Opposition - Kim CampbellKim CampbellAvril Phædra Douglas "Kim" Campbell, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, university professor, diplomat, and writer. She served as the 19th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 25, 1993, to November 4, 1993...
- later as federal Progressive Conservative Leader and Prime Minister - Adrienne ClarksonAdrienne ClarksonAdrienne Louise Clarkson is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation....
- later as journalist and Governor General of Canada - Gabrielle RoyGabrielle RoyGabrielle Roy, CC, FRSC was a French Canadian author.- Biography :Born in Saint Boniface , Manitoba, Roy was educated at Saint Joseph's Academy...
- French Canadian author was a three time winner
Categories
Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded at four levels.- Bronze - secondary school level
- Collegiate Bronze - post-secondary, diploma level
- Silver - undergraduate level
- Gold - graduate level
There is no monetary award associated with the Medal.