Governor General’s Silver Medal Presented to USask Kinesiology Graduate

At this year's Spring Convocation, two silver medals will be presented to the top graduating undergraduate students with the highest cumulative percentage averages. This award is among the most prestigious honors bestowed upon students at Canadian educational institutions.

Spencer Dymtruk will graduate this spring from USask’s College of Kinesiology, with a Bachelor of Science degree with great distinction. Originally from Prince Albert, SK, Dmytruk graduated from École St. Mary High School with the goal of finding a university that offered a well-rounded experience and strong opportunities in health care.

He was soon drawn to the College of Kinesiology, attracted by its hands-on learning, supportive community, and the close-knit environment that encouraged meaningful connections with classmates, faculty, and staff—all of which contributed to his personal and academic development.

“Winning the Silver Governor General’s Medal is an incredible honour, and I’m deeply grateful for the recognition. To me, this award is less a reflection of my individual efforts and more a testament to the incredible support system I’ve had throughout my journey,” said Dmytruk. “I truly couldn’t have achieved this without the unwavering encouragement of my family, the friendships that kept me grounded and motivated, and the supportive environment within my college that challenged me to grow both academically and personally. This recognition is shared with everyone who helped me along the way.”

Spencer reflects on his time at the College of Kinesiology as both challenging and rewarding. The program offered him a diverse learning experiences beyond traditional lectures, including hands-on work in anatomy labs. He earned two NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards, which supported his research in Dr. Michael Wu’s Molecular Genetics Lab.

Additionally, he conducted hemodialysis research with the Abdelrasoul Research Group, including projects at the Canadian Light Source. For his Honours thesis, he collaborated with the Active Living for Pain team under Dr. Nancy Gyurcsik’s supervision. These experiences resulted in multiple publications and fueled his passion for research.

As much as he dedicated his time to his studies, Spencer was actively engaged beyond the classroom. He served as President of the Kinesiology Students’ Society in his final year and spent two years as a Learning Community Mentor through the Library Peer Mentor Program, assisting first-year students in navigating university life. Additionally, he participated in the Student Trainer Practicum, where he worked with the Huskies Wrestling team for two seasons, gaining valuable hands-on experience and building lasting relationships.

“Balancing my studies and hobbies came down to setting clear priorities and staying adaptable. I didn’t follow a strict schedule, but I kept a strong sense of what needed to get done each week and made sure to leave room for the things I enjoy like playing the piano, working on 3D printing projects, and staying active through recreational sports with friends. These hobbies kept me grounded, helped me manage stress, and gave me the energy to stay focused in my studies. I found that making time for my hobbies improved my academic performance, so I was intentional about maintaining that balance.”

After graduating in June, Spencer will begin his studies at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine in the fall of 2025, having already been accepted into the program.