Donaldson wins first Rory Beck Award

The UPEI Department of Athletics and Recreation was especially proud on Saturday during the afternoon convocation when UPEI women's hockey player Jaime Lynn Donaldson was named the first recipient of the Rory Beck Outstanding Academic and Athletic Leadership Award.

Friends and family created this award to honour the late Rory Beck's passion for sports and his belief that education and community service are critical components of a meaningful life. The award is granted to the graduating student who has displayed the most outstanding dedication to athletics, academics, leadership and campus spirit throughout their post-secondary under graduate studies at the University of Prince Edward Island.

Roderick (Rory) Beck was one of those rare individuals who touched the lives of so many people through his professional careers, sports involvement, and personal life. Beck passed away suddenly of natural causes in April of last year.

Donaldson was selected by the UPEI scholarship committee because of her demonstrated excellence in both academics and athletics. A great leader on and off the ice, Donaldson was captain of the women's hockey team this past year, a member of AUS Championship team last season, recipient of an Academic All Canadian award, and was involved in numerous charitable events and fundraisers, including the RBC 'Newcomers Play Hockey' program and the UPEI Paderno Challenge Cup. Donaldson truly exemplifies what this award stands for.

Congratulations to Jaime Lynn, Panther for Life, and a sincere thank you to all of the donors who made this award possible.