Ryerson Alumni Achievement Awards 2014

[music] The Ryerson Alumni Award winners are alumni who represent the very best of Ryerson; who not only made accomplishments in their lives, but through their work have given back so much to their communities. This is a university that fosters creativity; this is a university that really makes world changers. Being an alumni, you belong to a group of people that have gone through what you have gone through, that understand the structure of Ryerson, that understands the institution, that understands what it stands for, and as a result of that, you are able to be better if you connect together. I did know I would get somewhere when I joined Ryerson because the professors and the instructors, they really listen and they really give you hands-on experience. When I go out day-to-day and represent Ryerson, that means a lot. Toronto is home. Ryerson is home. I've never left that; it's never left my heart. I don't even feel like I'm coming back, I feel like I'm where I am supposed to be. This is Ryerson University; they showed us that we could do anything. I'm becoming prouder and prouder of getting this distinguished award. It means basically that I have brought forth something from Ryerson to the business community. Stay connected with the school. Stay connected with your roots, where you came from always keeps you grounded; so it keeps a continuing learning experience, which is very important in anyone's life. I'm very thankful to the university for giving me, moulding me to become who I am, to be able to help my community, because it's the experience I got here that has helped me to do everything I am doing. My experience has just been life changing. [music]