Strong academic skills and community focus wins President's Medal
Posted: June 5, 2015 2:30 p.m.
Natasha Ku accepts the President's Medal from President Dr. Vianne Timmons (Photo courtesy of Rae Graham - U of R Photography)
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Natasha Ku has received the University of Regina’s President’s Medal. The medal was presented to Ku during the U of R’s spring convocation ceremony June 4. Ku also received the Faculty of Arts Dean’s Medal.
In all, 19 students were presented with awards for academic excellence and commitment to community service.
The President’s Medal is awarded at each Spring and Fall Convocation to a student receiving a first degree who has shown academic excellence as well as major leadership and commitment to extra-curricular activities while a student.
Ku, who is originally from Kipling, Saskatchewan has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, major in Japanese, with Great Distinction and International Designation. She also received a Bachelor of Science, major in Mathematics, with Great Distinction.
Ku’s academic promise was evident during her high school years. In recognition of her success at Kipling High School, she was awarded the S.E. Stewart Faculty of Arts Entrance Scholarship, the Rural Student Entrance Scholarship and the Centennial Merit Plus Scholarship. Throughout her studies she earned the Academic Gold Scholarship four times, along with an award in the Japanese Language.
Ku furthered her studies in Japanese by attending Tenri University, in Japan, for one year. While there, she served as an ambassador for the University of Regina, by volunteering to teach English and math in the community. She also volunteered to serve as a Japanese translator at Queensland National Park in Australia. She credits these experiences with improving her confidence as a leader.
In aid to her fellow students, Ku served as their representative on the Peer Disciplinary Council and the Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Scholarship Committee. She has consistently volunteered with Orientation, Residence Move-in, Welcome Week and similar activities throughout the semester. She has also assisted her peers through work as a Supplementary Instruction Leader for Statistics, and as a Japanese teaching assistant.
One of her proudest accomplishments has been the founding of the Japanese Culture Club on campus. Through academic, social and cultural activities, the club helps students from Japan integrate with University of Regina students interested in Japan and vice versa.
“Helping people has become second nature to me,” she says, bringing life to the University of Regina’s motto of “as one who serves.”