The University of Windsor's Sarah Woodruff Atkinson, Austin Roth, Anshika Jain and Alan Wildeman pose with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens after accepting their Mayor's Awards on Dec. 19, 2017.
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens honoured several members of the University of Windsor community last month.
Dilkens presented awards to 29 individuals and groups for making the city a better place during the Celebrating 2017 Mayor’s Awards.
The University, staff and students received five of the awards.
Graduate student Austin Roth received the mayor’s Award for Athletics and Recreation.
Dilkens said Roth had many nominations and was selected because he has been valued as a team player, mentor, coach and friend.
“Austin’s passion for athletics, but also his dedication to coaching others and making sports accessible to everyone, has earned him this award,” Dilkens said during the ceremony at Willistead Manor on Dec. 19, 2017.
Kinesiology Professor Sarah Woodruff Atkinson received the Mayor’s Health Community Award.
Dr. Woodruff Atkinson is one of the leading researchers with the Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Research Lab and has conducted and published research on the nutritional status, body composition and eating behaviours of children and adolescents.
“Through her work and volunteerism, Sarah has promoted community health and wellness,” the mayor said.
“She has dedicated her time to improving and enhancing the overall health of people living in our community.”
Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens addresses the audience during the Celebrating 2017 Mayor's Awards.
Chemistry Professor Siyaram Pandey was honoured with the Award for Innovation.
Dr. Pandey is known for his research on dandelion root as a natural cancer treatment program, which is in clinical trial for blood-born cancers like leukemia.
“The ground-breaking research being conducted by Dr. Pandey and his team has already brought recognition to Windsor and we are excited to see what comes next,” Dilkens said.
Anshika Jain is working on her Bachelor of Science in behaviour, cognition and neuroscience but has still found time to volunteer with various organizations throughout the community.
Jain assisted in launching a new Toastmasters Club at Vincent Massey Secondary School to help students, many of whom speak a second language at home, overcome language barriers and improve their public speaking skills.
She has also been a youth mentor through Enactus Windsor and volunteers with Let’s Talk Science.
“Anshika’s commitment to mentoring and volunteering in her community speak volumes about who she is as a person, and about the impact young people can have in our community,” Dilkens said, who presented her with the Outstanding Youth award.
Dilkens presented President Alan Wildeman with the Heritage Award.
For more information about the Mayor's Awards, visit www.citywindsor.ca.
Dylan Kristy