Bob Michaud Bursary

John Smale was honoured to speak about the Bob Michaud Bursary, a way to remember a good man, a great friend and a Rotarian who lived his life by the 4 Way Test.  Bob Michaud was a leader among us and a loyal follower, a one of a kind guy.  Bob's wife Carol Lynne wanted to have Bob remembered within his beloved Rotary Club.  The idea of a yearly bursary in Bob's name awarded to a Loyalist College student who aspired to and displayed the attributes so identified with Bob.  The recipient would be decided by the staff at Loyalist with the criteria being that the person would be a team player in sports and was pursuing a career in sales or marketing, two areas dear to Bob's heart.  Each year that the award is bestowed reminds us how special Bob was around Rotary.  He was always positive as Ken Wheeler and John jokingly recalled recently -- even on the golf course where a bad shot was soon followed by gales of self deprecating laughter. It is so fitting that our Fun Day of golf in August is named in Bob's honour - life is supposed to be fun after the heaving lifting parts.  John was pleased to invite Dianne Spencer and this year's recipient, Alex Hoftyzer to the platform.

 

Dianne was excited to tell the Club more about this year's recipient of the Bob Michaud Bursary.  Alex Hoftyzer was nominated by Mr. Jeff Hoskins, head coach of the Loyalist Lancers cross country team.  Alex is a second year student in Customs Border Services and has been with Lancers cross country both years.  Jeff Hoskins believed Alex has the qualities that Bob had -- sportsmanship, community service and entrepreneurship, making him worthy of consideration for this award.  Alex has shown tremendous sportsmanship with the cross country team which has made him a pleasure to coach.  He is always at practice early and ready to go with a positive, upbeat attitude that always seems to spread to those around him.  And whether it's high-fiving teammates after practice or shaking hands with other runners at the finish line, Alex is always just as happy to celebrate the successes of others as he is his own.  Alex was presented with the cross country team's Fair Play Award at the Loyalist Athletics Banquet held in March 2016.

 

Coach Hoskins' nomination goes on to say that Alex's community service can be seen by how involved he is in within the College community.  Beyond his academic and athletic commitments, he is also part of Student Government as the Justice Studies Leader and works security for the Shark Tank pub.  He often lends a hand in other ways around the school as well, whether it be helping out with residence move-in or manning the athletics table at a College Open House.  He also takes part in campus recreation activities and joins the crowd for Lancers home games.

 

And he has shown entrepreneurship in how he has taken the initiative to get involved around the school and balance it all in a way that he is able to succeed with everything.  In doing so he has put himself in a place to get the most out of his College experience, while doing what he can to enhance the experience of everyone around him along the way.

 

Coach Hoskins felt that the Bob Michaud Award would be a great way to recognize Alex for the pride he takes in the Loyalist College community and everything he does that enriches the lives of those around him.  Dianne Spencer introduced an outstanding Loyalist graduating student and this year's recipient of the Bob Michaud Bursary -- Alex Hoftyzer (pictured L to R - President Kelly, Carol Lynne Michaud, Alex Hoftyzer, Dianne Spencer and John Smale).