William Ferguson, recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award, with Nipissing University Alumni Association president Brendan Wilson.
Nipissing University Alumni Association News Release
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North Bay — Nipissing University’s Alumni Association honoured two of its members on Friday night at the annual Alumni Awards and Convocation dinner.
Philomena Bonis, a graduate of Nipissing’s Bachelor of Education program in 1988, is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award and William Ferguson, who graduated from Nipissing in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), is the recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes outstanding achievements, present stature, and future potential of Nipissing University alumni. Bonis teaches grade 7/8 science and technology in the Waterloo Region District School Board, while simultaneously working towards her dream of becoming an astronaut. She is also an instructor and former student at the highly prestigious International Space University, a graduate-level institution that provides training to the future leaders of the space community at its central campus in France, and at locations around the world. Bonis is the first elementary school teacher to be accepted into the esteemed program. She is the recipient of many awards including a 2006 Women of Distinction Award in the Education and Training category, the Queen’s University Associate Teacher Award for Outstanding Contribution to Teacher Education and the Waterloo Region Distinguished Teacher Award.
The Alumni Achievement Award is presented annually to an alumnus who demonstrates leadership abilities and community involvement and who displays significant accomplishment in their chosen profession. Ferguson is vice-president creative and a partner in TWG Communications, an award-winning creative and strategic marketing firm located in North Bay. His insight, knowledge, and expertise have been the driving force behind TWG’s diverse creative portfolio. As one of the agency’s founders, he has built a reputation directing strategic branding and innovative campaigns for clients such as Motorola, Shell, Osprey Media, P&G, Ontario Realty Corp., Royal & SunAlliance, Petro Canada, Ontario Parks, and the OTMPC. His dedication to his community is evidenced by his volunteer work as a past chair of the North Bay Police Services Board, board member and treasurer of Heritage North Bay, advisor to the King George Public School Advisory Council, past treasurer of the White Water Gallery, and mentor to post-secondary students. Ferguson is the recipient of both the Northern Ontario Business Young Entrepreneur of the Year award and the North Bay Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.
“These are two individuals who exemplify the spirit of Nipissing University and the alumni association,” said Brendan Wilson, Alumni Association president. “Philomena is a brilliant educator who embraces the idea of life-long learning while simultaneously inspiring her students to achieve their potential. William is a visionary entrepreneur who continually gives back to his community through volunteer work. The Alumni Association is immensely proud to count them as members and to honour them with these awards.
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