Awards & Recognition
The Brescia University College Alumnae Association takes great pride in recognizing our bold alumnae for their outstanding career achievements and tremendous contributions to their communities. This recognition is demonstrated through The Carmelle Murphy Alumnae Award of Distinction, Sister Mary Lou McKenzie Young Alumnae Award of Merit and Alumnae Trailblazers, which are all acknowledged and nominated by fellow alumnae, staff, faculty and community members.
Each year, at Homecoming, we highlight the accomplishments of two bold alumnae celebrating
a reunion at Brescia. Do you know a fellow alumna (that graduated in a year ending
in a 3 or 8) that is deserving of an award?
Nominate someone today!
Carmelle Murphy Award Sr. Mary Lou McKenzie Award
Meet Our 2023 Alumnae Award Winners
Ann Gordon (Hankinson) '78
Carmelle Murphy Award of Distinction
We are delighted to celebrate the personal and professional career of Ann Gordon (Hankinson),
Class ’78, with this year’s Carmelle Murphy Award.
Presented to an alumna in her reunion year, this award recognizes Ann’s deep commitment to individual and community development across the global stage.
Ann has continually demonstrated an unrelenting dedication to enhancing the lives of rural families and farmers through systemic change. After growing up on a tobacco and beef farm, Ann pursued her undergraduate degree at Brescia where she became fully immersed in the university’s family feel and rigorous academics.
Ashley Boyes '13
Sister Mary Lou McKenzie
Young Alumnae Award of Merit
We are excited to celebrate Ashley Boyes, Class ’13, as the recipient of Brescia’s
Sister Mary Lou McKenzie Award. This Young Alumnae Award of Merit recognizes a Brescia
alumna, who graduated within the past 10 years, who shows leadership in her career
and embodies the Ursuline values of wisdom, justice and compassion.
Initially, Brescia’s generous scholarship program enticed Ashley to strongly consider Western’s all-women’s affiliate. However, as Ashley progressed through her undergraduate degree, the reasons she stayed at Brescia evolved to reflect the superior classroom and extracurriculars offered on one of Canada’s most beautiful and inclusive campuses.