Student wins leadership award

A Fanshawe student was this years winner of the Joan Homer Student Leadership Award at the Colleges Ontario Awards ceremony held in London.

Jonathan Hillis, a fourth-year business student, was on hand to accept his award at the ceremony, which was hosted by Fanshawe at the London Convention Centre on February 11. The award is given annually to a college student who exemplifies leadership skills and demonstrates positive influence over the college and local communities.

Hillis, who is not only the FSU's VP of Athletics and captain of the Falcons men's volleyball team, volunteers his leadership skills and sports enthusiasm with local sports teams.

“I help coach Forest City under-18 boys volleyball,” Hillis explained. “I've also been to East Elgin High School to help out with practices there, and I helped to organize it so that elementary schools come here to enjoy our varsity volleyball games and meet the athletes in a meet and greet kind of situation.”

But the award, which includes $1,000, isn't bound to change anything for Hillis, other than paying off a few student loans. It has in fact cemented his resolve to continue volunteering in the community.

“I don't think that in a way I've done enough to earn that award,” Hillis admitted. “I think just being able to give back to community was great because I've been at Fanshawe for four years. Fanshawe and the community have given me a lot, so I feel that it's my duty to give back in regards to academics and sports- they've done so much for me.

“I'm really thankful I won it, but I don't think that I can ever stop giving back. I think it's made me realize that I can do more.”