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Emily Bessey, a graduating student from Cole Harbour, NS, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Thomas McCann Memorial Trophy.  

 

The Thomas McCann Memorial Trophy is ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø's most respected and cherished award. It is presented to a student who possesses strong leadership, character, and personality traits and who best portrays the spirit of the university through their contributions. Over the past 50 years, McCann winners have gone on to be lawyers, cabinet ministers, doctors, Rhodes Scholars, bloggers, army officers, political organizers, professors, and teachers.  

 

"To receive this award is truly an honour. My time at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø has been filled with many incredible opportunities to get involved, which have helped me grow academically, professionally, and personally," said Bessey. 

 

"This award represents four years of hard work and wonderful memories I will treasure. I'm so humbled to be recognized in this way and so grateful to those who thought me a worthy candidate." 

 

A ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇødent who Embodies What it Means to be a True Tommie 

 

Bessey credits her experience at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø for shaping her into the person she is today. 

 

"At ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø, I have been able to explore and discover my passions in the classroom and take them into all of my academic, extracurricular, and professional pursuits," said Bessey. 

 

"I wholeheartedly believe in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø's mission to promote the value and importance of the liberal arts, which we need now more than ever. I feel lucky to have spent four years in a community of like-minded and passionate students, and I am excited to take all I have learned with me into my future." 

 

In her four years at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø, Bessey has demonstrated academic excellence as she pursued a double major in Women's Studies and Gender Studies and Fine Arts with minors in Human Rights and Sociology, earning the Fine Arts Prize for Musical Theatre and the Prize for Women's Studies and Gender Studies in fourth year. 

 

Bessey not only thrived in the classroom but also excelled as a ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇødent leader. Students, faculty, and staff alike nominated Bessey for the award, describing her as a true leader who will leave behind a lasting legacy and impact on the university. 

 

"Emily embodies the student I believe to be a true Tommie – she is creative, supportive, and a leader. Her love for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø is evident to anyone who meets her," said one nominator. 

 

 This year, Bessey co-founded and acted as President for the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø Disability Society. She helped spearhead ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø Musical Theatre's first relaxed performance, making the theatre experience more accessible and inclusive. 

 

 Her tireless advocacy for creating community and connection among students who identify as having a disability demonstrates a strong dedication to her peers.  

 

"Students in the coming years will feel the impact of Emily's time at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø without even knowing her, but that's why she does it – a genuine passion for making the world a better place and creating safe, caring spaces," shared one nominator. 

 

Along with her role with the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø Disability Society, Bessey has worked on campus in various roles as a Student Tour Ambassador, Co-President for the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇø Mental Health Society, the Mental Health Committee Co-Chair for ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÆØÒ»Çø¶þÇøSU, an Advisory Committee Member for Black Box Productions, and the Events Coordinator for the University Women's Centre.