Megan Nikula (left, photo submitted) and Brittany Lausen (rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Convocation 2020

RDC awards outstanding students

Jun 5, 2020 | 11:14 AM

Red Deer College has announced Megan Nikula as the recipient of the Governor General’s Academic Bronze Medal, and Brittany Lausen as the recipient of the Red Deer College Foundation Outstanding Student Award for Convocation 2020.

Nikula started in the RDC Kinesiology and Sport Studies Diploma program in the fall of 2018. Enrolling in this program was a natural evolution for her, as she had grown up participating in sports and physical activities, so pursuing an education focusing on body physiology and its functioning was a perfect fit.

Red Deer College was close to home and Nikula wanted a school with excellent program opportunities and a sense of community, where she could make meaningful connections with her peers and professors. Once at RDC, she found the type of community she had hoped for. The staff – including her instructors, janitors and security staff – all stand out when she reflects on her time at RDC. She feels privileged to have built many relationships that made her excited to come to class and walk through the halls feeling safe, heard and appreciated.

Nikula feels experiences with small class sizes allowed for everyone to be involved with the labs, activities and lectures, which increased their overall interactions, participation and growth. She was especially drawn to her physiology and adapted physical activity courses, and she was inspired by her teachers to pursue her dreams, to research and to explore topics that would have the most lasting impact on her. Megan’s connection with her program is evident in the success she achieved, which includes five grades of A+ and a GPA of 4.0 in her final year.

Nikula will complete her Bachelor of Kinesiology Degree at the University of Alberta, and then she will pursue her dream career of physiotherapy. With a passion for helping and interacting with people, Megan wants to make a positive difference in people’s lives by helping them with the knowledge and experiences that she continues to gather.

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Lausen is lauded for being a strong, dedicated and compassionate student leader since starting her RDC journey in the fall of 2014.

This past year, Lausen filled two roles on the Students’ Association Executive as both President, which she was elected into, and as Vice President Academic. Among the highlights was the opening of The Loft, a newly renovated space on main campus where students can study and socialize. It’s also the new home of the Students’ Association (SARDC) Council Chambers.

Lausen is most proud of is how the Students’ Association made it a priority to address the easily over-looked topic of student hunger. They created strong awareness that the Student Foodbank exists, and they worked to help reduce food insecurity on campus by providing free breakfasts one day each week at both main and downtown campus. They also launched the Soup Initiative program, where students can “pay-what-you-can” for a bowl of soup at the Farside Bar & Grill, even if that was nothing.

Lausen has been a volunteer tutor with Learning Disabilities – Red Deer Chapter for more than four years, where she tutors students in Reading and Math each week. She also volunteered with the 2019 Canada Winter Games and with the Airdrie Winter Games this past February.

Brittany has been re-elected as President of the Students’ Association for the 2020/2021 year and will pursue further education once she is done her Bachelor of Business Administration Degree with her sights set on working in the post-secondary sector.

(With file from RDC media releases)