Awards and Financial Assistance
Graduating Awards for Undergraduate Students
Medals presented at convocation are among the most prestigious of university awards. It is the intention of the University of Calgary to uphold the standard of these medals as they reflect the highest academic distinction that a student can aspire to in a particular discipline.
Policies for awarding convocation medals:
- These policies apply to students graduating from undergraduate programs.
- No application required.
- Medals based entirely on academic standing will be awarded at the conclusion of the Winter Session.
Students who graduated at the previous Fall Convocation will also be considered for convocation medals on the same basis as students who graduate at Spring Convocations.
Gold Medals
- There will be only one gold medal awarded by each faculty except in the case of gold medals established prior to the current policy.
- Gold medals will be awarded to the student graduating with the highest distinction in each faculty.
Silver Medallions
- There will be only one silver medallion awarded by each department or equivalent unit.
- Silver medallions may be awarded to the student graduating with the highest distinction in each department or equivalent unit.
Guidelines for Selection of Faculty Medal Winners
Each faculty determines its definition of distinction and guidelines for selection of medal recipients, with consideration to the following criteria:
- grade point average
- course load
- minimum number of University of Calgary courses taken
Selection of recipients for the Governor General’s Silver Medallions and the Muriel Kovitz Prize is the responsibility of the Academic Awards Committee.
LIST OF AWARDS | |||||
Award Description | Donor | Number of Awards | Value | Award Criteria | |
Alberta College of Family Physicians Award | Alberta College of Family Physicians | 1 | $300 | 1 | Offered annually to a student completing the final year in the Faculty of Medicine MD program. |
2 | Proficiency in family medicine | ||||
3 | Must be accepted into a family medicine residency training program | ||||
Alberta Medical Association Award in Internal Medicine | Alberta Medical Association Section in Internal Medicine | 1 | $1000 | 1 | Offered annually to a student completing the final year in the Faculty of Medicine MD program. |
2 | Interest and aptitude in internal medicine | ||||
3 | Must be accepted into an internal medicine residency | ||||
APEGGA Education Foundation Gold Medals in Engineering | Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta Education Foundation, Edmonton | 9 | Gold Medals | 1 | Awarded annually to the graduating student in each branch of engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering |
2 | Highest academic standing in the third and fourth years combined | ||||
3 | Minimum grade point average of 3.50 in each year required | ||||
4 | Canadian citizen or permanent resident | ||||
APEGGA Education Foundation Gold Medals in Geology and Geophysics | Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists of Alberta Education Foundation, Edmonton | 2 | Gold Medals | 1 | Awarded annually to graduating students in the Faculty of Science |
2 | One gold medal is awarded to Geology and one to Geophysics | ||||
3 | Highest academic standing in the third and fourth years | ||||
4 | Minimum grade point average of 3.50 in each year required | ||||
5 | Canadian citizen or permanent resident | ||||
Chancellor David B. Smith Gold Medal in Engineering | Chancellor David B. Smith and Mrs. Lorraine Smith, on the occasion of the completion of Mr. Smith's term as the seventh Chancellor of the University of Calgary 1990-1994 | 1 | Gold Medal | 1 | Awarded annually to the graduating student in the Schulich School of Engineering. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship throughout the program | ||||
Clarence Sansom Gold Medal in Education | The Alberta Teacher's Association, Edmonton | 1 | Gold Medal | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Education. |
2 | Highest general proficiency in the BEd (Master of Teaching Program) | ||||
Department of Anthropology Silver Medallion | Department of Anthropology, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Anthropology. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of Archaeology Silver Medallion | Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Archaeology. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of Biological Sciences Silver Medallion | Faculty of Science, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Biological Sciences. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of Chemistry Silver Medallion | Faculty of Science, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Chemistry. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of Computer Science Silver Medallion | Faculty of Science, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student the Department of Computer Science. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program. | ||||
Department of Drama Gold Medal | Department of Drama, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medal | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program in Drama. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship. | ||||
Department of Geography Silver Medallion | Department of Geography, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Geography. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of History Silver Medallion | James H. Gray | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of History. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of Linguistics Silver Medallion | Department of Linguistics, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Linguistics. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of Mathematics and Statistics Silver Medallion | Faculty of Science, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of Physics and Astronomy, Venkatesan Silver Medallion | Friends and colleagues of Dr. D. Venkatesan, a Professor at the University of Calgary from 1966 to 1991 | 1 | Silver Medallion and up to $1000 | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. |
2 | Highest academic standing in either the major or honours program in Physics | ||||
Department of Political Science Silver Medallion | Department of Political Science, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Political Science. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Department of Sociology Silver Medallion | Department of Sociology, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion and $100 | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Sociology. |
2 | Highest distinction in the final two years of a major or honours program | ||||
Dr. Jeffrey Dolph Memorial Award | Family and friends of Dr. Jeffrey Dolph as a tribute to his memory | 1 | $500 | 1 | Offered annually to a student completing the final year in the Faculty of Medicine MD program. |
2 | Accepted into a residency training program for obstetrics and gynaecology. | ||||
Economics Society of Calgary Medal in Economics | Economics Society of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Economics. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Honours Economics program | ||||
3 | Minimum grade point average of 3.50 required over the last 15 full-course equivalents in the degree program. | ||||
F.E.I. Silver Medallion | Financial Executives International, Calgary Chapter | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Finance concentration | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Gold Medal | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to the graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion - Bachelor of Arts - Multidisciplinary Degrees | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Bachelor of Communication and Culture | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of General Studies | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 10 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Bachelor of Communications Studies | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Communications Studies | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the entire degree program including the SAIT component. | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Bachelor of Science - General Degree | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Science | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Canadian Studies | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Major - Canadian Studies) | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Communications Studies | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Major - Communications Studies) | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Development Studies | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Major - Development Studies) | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Law and Society | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Major - Law and Society) | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Science, Technology and Society | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science (Major - Science, Technology and Society) | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Communication and Culture Silver Medallion in Women's Studies | Faculty of Communication and Culture, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. |
2 | Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Major - Women's Studies) | ||||
3 | Highest distinction in scholarship based on the last 15 full-course equivalents of their program | ||||
Faculty of Fine Arts Gold Medal | Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Fine Arts. |
2 | Highest academic standing in overall program of study | ||||
3 | Graduating "with distinction" | ||||
Faculty of Humanities Gold Medal | Faculty of Humanities, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medal | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Humanities. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship | ||||
Faculty of Humanities Silver Medallion in English | Humanities Associates Program, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of English |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program. | ||||
Faculty of Humanities Silver Medallion in French, Italian and Spanish | Humanities Associates Program, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of French, Italian and Spanish. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Faculty of Humanities Silver Medallion in General Humanities | Humanities Associates Program, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Humanities. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program in General Humanities | ||||
Faculty of Humanities Silver Medallion in Germanic, Slavic and East Asian Studies | Humanities Associates Program, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Germanic, Slavic and East Asian Studies. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Faculty of Humanities Silver Medallion in Greek and Roman Studies | Humanities Associates Program, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Greek and Roman Studies. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Faculty of Humanities Silver Medallion in Philosophy | Humanities Associates Program, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Philosophy |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Faculty of Humanities Silver Medallion in Religious Studies | Humanities Associates Program, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Religious Studies. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in a major or honours program | ||||
Faculty of Kinesiology Gold Medal | Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to the graduating student in the Faculty of Kinesiology. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship | ||||
Faculty of Nursing Gold Medal | Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to the graduating student in the Faculty of Nursing. |
2 | Highest academic standing throughout all nursing courses in the BN program | ||||
Faculty of Nursing Silver Medallion in BN Post Diploma Program | Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Nursing. |
2 | Highest academic standing throughout all nursing courses in the BN Post Diploma Program | ||||
Faculty of Science Gold Medal | Faculty of Science, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to the graduating student in the Faculty of Science. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship | ||||
Faculty of Social Sciences Gold Medal | Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Social Sciences. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship | ||||
Faculty of Social Sciences Silver Medallion in International Relations | Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Social Sciences. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the International Relations program | ||||
Faculty of Social Sciences Silver Medallion in Urban Studies | Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medal and up to $2000 | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Social Sciences. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Urban Studies program | ||||
Gayle Gilchrist James and Richard F. Ramsay Gold Medal in Social Work | Gayle Gilchrist James, Richard F. Ramsay and Family, Friends and Colleagues | 1 | Gold Medal | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Faculty of Social Work. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship. | ||||
Governor General's Silver Medallions | Governor General of Canada | 2 | Silver Medallions | 1 | Awarded annually to students graduating from any undergraduate faculty. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship | ||||
3 | Only students receiving their first degree are eligible. | ||||
Harold W. Price Prize | Alberta Paediatrics Society, Edmonton | 1 | up to $125 | 1 | Offered annually to a student completing the final year in the Faculty of Medicine MD program. |
2 | Exhibited the greatest interest in and aptitude for paediatrics. | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Gold Medal | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Gold Medal | 1 | Awarded annually to a student in the BComm program in the Haskayne School of Business |
2 | Highest distinction in overall grade point average on the most recent 10 full-course equivalents completed in the BComm program | ||||
3 | Chosen from eligible students graduating in both Fall and Spring and awarded at Spring Convocation. | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion - General | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship graduating without a concentration | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in Accounting | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Accounting concentration | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in Human Resources and Organizational Dynamics | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Human Resources and Organizational Dynamics concentration | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in International Business | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the International Business concentration. | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in Management Information Systems | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Systems Management concentration. | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in Marketing | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Marketing concentration. | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in Operations Management | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Operations Management concentration. | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in Petroleum Land Management | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Petroleum Land Management concentration. | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in Risk Management and Insurance | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Risk Management and Insurance or Finance/Risk Management and Insurance concentration | ||||
Haskayne School of Business Silver Medallion in Tourism | Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business. |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in the Tourism concentration. | ||||
Lieutenant Governor's Gold Medal | Offered by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Edmonton | 1 | Gold Medal | 1 | Awarded to a graduating student the Faculty of Communication and Culture, Humanities, Science or Social Sciences |
2 | Highest distinction in scholarship in an honours degree program | ||||
Muriel Kovitz Prize | University of Calgary Senate and Chancellor Emeritus Muriel Kovitz to commemorate Mrs. Kovitz's term as Chancellor from December 1974 to 1978 | 1 | $12,000 and Medal | 1 | Awarded annually at June Convocation to a student graduating from any undergraduate faculty. |
2 | Highest overall grade point average in final year at the University of Calgary | ||||
Osmo and Patricia Salo Award | Osmo and Patricia Salo | 1 | $500 | 1 | Offered annually to a student completing the final year in the Faculty of Medicine MD program. |
2 | The award is directed to a student expressing a preference to practice family medicine. Must be accepted into a family medicine residency training program from the Canadian Resident Matching Service . | ||||
3 | Financial need. Confirmation of demonstrated financial need will be made by the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office | ||||
4 | Preference is given to students entering a residency program in Alberta. | ||||
Psychology Department Silver Medallion | Department of Psychology, University of Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Department of Psychology. |
2 | Highest academic standing in the Honours Psychology program | ||||
3 | A minimum grade point average of 3.50 is required over the last15 full-course equivalents in the degree program. | ||||
The Sovereign Award | The Sovereign General Insurance Company, Calgary | 1 | Silver Medallion | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the Haskayne School of Business |
2 | Concentration in Risk Management and Insurance or Finance/Risk Management and Insurance | ||||
3 | Academic merit in courses taken in the final year of the program | ||||
William A. McGillivray Gold Medal in Law | Friends, family and colleagues of the late W.A. McGillivray, Chief Justice of Alberta for the period 1974-1984 | 1 | Gold Medal and $6000 | 1 | Awarded annually to a graduating student in the LLB program in the Faculty of Law. |
2 | Highest aggregate standing during the three years of study in the LLB program | ||||
3 | Awarded at Spring Convocation. |