The St. Mary’s University Star Award recognizes St. Mary’s University students or alumni who have rendered outstanding service to the University and the community, exemplifying the mission and values of the University and working toward a vision of social justice and the common good.

This year St. Mary’s honours Julianna Driscoll, a member of the 2021 graduating class, for embodying St. Mary’s values.

Julianna has been a remarkable Arts student who has also been accepted into our Bachelor of Education program and will no doubt be an outstanding representative there.

Julianna has been among the most consistent volunteers at virtually every President’s Volunteer Team event. She has been a tireless advocate for her fellow students and held a Vice President’s role in our Student Legislative Council where she coordinated significant initiatives, both for her fellow students but also for the community at large. In particular Julianna helped to coordinate a number of card-writing initiatives for United Active Living residents to boost morale during the pandemic, and when volunteers fell short to write a card for each resident, Julianna personally wrote scores of undesignated cards to ensure that no one was missed.

Julianna also took seriously the importance of community during the pandemic and organized both virtual social events to support student morale (including the highly successful Student Talent Show), but also a number of other events supporting student mental health and Black Lives Matter events.

Julianna has consistently exemplified the highest values of the university and selflessly contributed to the common good. For these reasons she has been selected as the 2021 recipient of the St. Mary’s Star Award.

St. Mary’s University would also like to encourage our community to take part in this celebration! Share your messages on our virtual message board and share your photos on social media with the hashtag #StMUGrad2021