WOLFVILLE, N.S. - Much has been said about Acadia's Academic All-Canadian success over the past number of years. Since its inception in 1988 by the CIAU, now U Sports, a significant number of Acadia student-athletes have been honoured for their academic achievement of 80 per cent or greater sessional average.
This past season Acadia continued to post record-breaking results with 110 Academic All-Canadians out of 285 student-athletes. Over the last four years, Acadia has consecutively had a student-athlete honoured as a Top 8 Academic All-Canadian. Only two schools in Canada have accomplished this success.
Along with having the highest percentage per-student-athlete in the country in achieving Academic All-Canadian status, Acadia University has instituted a new initiative to recognize those who haven't reached Academic All-Canadian status, have higher than a 65% average, and have improved their academic standing over the previous year.
Over the last few weeks, 38 student-athletes received a formal letter from the Office of the President at Acadia. President and Vice-Chancellor Ray Ivany offered in a letter addressed to each individual his sincere congratulations to those students who had improved their academic average from the past year.
In the letter of accomplishment, Ivany noted that "the resolve you have shown to grow and develop as a person and to perform at a higher level academically is, by far, the reason that makes me the most proud of you as an individual."
Academic improvement has been an important and valued element at Acadia, particularly for the University's Director of Athletics, Kevin Dickie.
"Along with the significant number of Academic All-Canadians we celebrate annually, I am equally proud of those that represent our program and have improved their academic standing," Dickie said. "In 2015-16, we had 38 student-athletes between a 65-80 per cent average that improved their GPA from the year before. That takes dedication, desire and time management skills that continue to impress me when I see what our student-athletes accomplish with so many demands on their schedules."
He added, "to have our student-athletes who have improved their academic standing, along with our Academic All-Canadians, now being honoured by our University President is one more way we can illustrate the emphasis we place on academics at Acadia University."
The letters were appreciated by all who received them. Ivany hoped they would encourage more student-athletes to reach for and attain their greatest potential in academics, athletics and service to the community.