Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Graduate Shan Arora shows his Governor General Silver Medal

By Elaine Smith

Shan Arora graduated from the University of Toronto Scarborough with a 4.0 average and two notable awards—and he’s attending the Faculty of Law.

The honours bachelor of science graduate, with a double major in economics and mental health studies and a minor in French, is the recipient of the John Black Aird Scholarship for the top student at all three U of T campuses, as well as a Governor General’s Silver Medal for his undergraduate academic career.

“I knew objectively that I’d done well, but I wasn’t expecting to hear that I was first overall,” said Arora. “When I got the call, my mom was so happy for me, she was crying.”

The Governor General’s Academic Medals recognize the outstanding scholastic achievements of Canadian students at the high school (bronze), undergraduate (silver) and graduate (gold) levels. Distinguished Canadians such as Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Kim Campbell, Robert Bourassa, Robert Stanfield and Gabrielle Roy have received Governor General Medals.

Arora has also been busy outside the lecture hall.  He co-authored a research article for publication with Assistant Professor Elizabeth Dhuey.  As president of the Ontario Young Liberals in Oak Ridges-Markham, Arora worked on the importance of political engagement with other young adults.

He chose UTSC over Trinity College four years ago and said the Scarborough campus "was a really good transition from high school, because it’s small, so you do see the same people in the halls. It’s a close-knit community…It made learning easier, because I had more time and more supports to focus on it.”

He starts a joint, three-year JD/MA in economics in August. And in the meantime, he's working as a teaching assistant for two UTSC economics courses this summer, and sits on a Governing Council tribunal that adjudicates academic grievances. 

Photo: Ken Jones