Governor General’s Silver Medal — Anna Delooff’s curious nature led to academic success

Anna Delooff knew she had done well in her studies at the University of the Fraser Valley, but she got a pleasant surprise when she found out that her marks had earned her the Governor General’s Silver Medal, awarded annually to the student with the highest grade point average in a bachelor’s degree program. Anna’s final GPA was 4.31, just shy of a perfect 4.33 average.

Anna, who majored in sociology while earning a Bachelor of Arts, isn’t done with UFV yet. In September she will be entering the one-year Bachelor of Education program with a goal of becoming an elementary school teacher.

“I remember saying at our career fair in Grade 3 that I wanted to be a teacher,” says Anna, who attended Timothy Christian, a small private school in Rosedale.

Her career choice was reinforced by her experiences volunteering at her old school and completing a practicum at Chilliwack Secondary as part of her Sociology 396 course.

“Part of my final project was to write a report comparing the student experience at my former school and at Chilliwack Secondary,” she notes. “It was a reflection on the differences between the two. I was used to a stricter environment and smaller classes where everyone knew each other from kindergarten through graduation.”

Anna chose sociology as a major for its human focus.

“I took a mix of sociology and psychology courses because I really like people-focused subjects,” she says. “I’m a very curious person, and sociology encourages questioning why things that are considered normal are that way, and how people’s lives are connected to social forces and determinants that influence them. Sociology addresses an essential question: what makes you who you are?”

Her interest in social determinants was first piqued in a class taught by sociology professor Michael Corman.

“It was really interesting to learn about why people act the way they do what factors in their life have influenced them. It also helps you to develop empathy,” she notes. “I feel like I have a strong foundation for understanding people now. My education made me think way more of things that I had not thought of before, and to look at situations from other people’s perspective. I realized that I was very blessed in the environment and family that I came from, and that not everyone has the same advantages.”

She speaks highly of her time at UFV.

“I really enjoyed my UFV experience. It’s a good community and my professors were all very nice. I made friends in every class, and we ended up being in a lot of the same classes together.”

The secret to her academic success?

“I wouldn’t say I’m the smartest person, but I worked really hard and put a lot of time into my studies. I enjoyed the experience too.”

Her advice to students starting out in university is to pursue your passion.

“Look after your wellbeing. Not just academic, but emotional as well. Find something you’re passionate about and it will come more easily to you.”