With a passion for hospitality, an unshakeable work ethic, and a 95% average, the sky’s truly the limit for Abigail Tuckwell.
The studious 23-year-old has soared to new heights, capping off NC’s four-year Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality) program with the highest average among NC’s Class of 2025 degree graduates – an achievement that has earned her the prestigious Governor General’s Silver Academic Medal.
“When I received the news that I was receiving this award, I was quite shocked,” said Tuckwell. “It took me several moments to process what I had achieved; and it led to reflecting on my previous four years of studies and my experience in the Honours BBA Hospitality program.”
Tuckwell (Chatham/St. Catharines) has a genuine passion for hospitality that complements her academic success. Whether she’s working at hotels, events, or in the food and beverage area of the sector – and she’s racked up experience in all three during her time as a student – Tuckwell draws inspiration from what she finds most rewarding.
“I found my passion for hospitality as I enjoy creating experiences for people,” she said. “Whether they’re visiting a new location, celebrating something special, or exploring, I enjoy being able to help create those moments.”
NC experience
Tuckwell discovered ‘her niche’ in NC’s BBAH program, which she enrolled in following her first postsecondary year in Kinesiology. She switched gears to pursue her interest in the industry, particularly the hotel sector, and wanted to study business.
Being in the program, immersed her in the “heart of hospitality,” she said. With a hospitality focus infused into all her classes, Tuckwell was not only motivated to learn, but she also fell in love with studying like never before.
She valued the opportunity to learn from the industry expertise of her NC professors, and the varied experience she gained through her co-op placements; she worked at the Holland America Dawson City Inn (Dawson City, Yukon) as a Night Auditor for her first co-op, and for Feastivities Events and Catering (Niagara Falls) as their Logistics and Operations Manager for her second.
“Both of these co-ops allowed me to build on and grow skills and knowledge learned in the classroom,” she said. “It allowed me to apply my knowledge in a practical way directly in the industry.”
She also worked for Vintage Hotels while she was a student and, during her fourth year, she served as Treasurer of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HTFP) in 2024 (NC student chapter).
Of course, student life brought its challenges.
“Like many of my fellow students, I was constantly juggling my school life with both my personal life and work life,” she said. “It took lots of time management and learning to find the proper balance.”
The secret to her success?
“Lots of time management! But also, my passion for what I was learning and studying,” she said. “This helped make learning both inside and outside the classroom enjoyable, as well as kept me motivated.”
Focus on career
Since completing her studies in May, Tuckwell has already gone the distance to apply her skills in Dawson City, Yukon. She has taken on a combined role for the summer as Guest Service Agent and Night Auditor at Holland America/Princess Alaska-Yukon Land Operations, and plans to return to Niagara’s hospitality sector this fall.
As she continues to grow her career, Tuckwell plans to work towards positions related to revenues and finance.
“When I think about my future career, I aspire to work in hotels as a revenue manager. By completing my degree and gaining the knowledge that I now have, I definitely feel a step closer towards achieving my goals,” she said. “I know I am still a ways away, but as I continue to build my knowledge and skills in this industry, I am slowly moving closer.”
Convocation day
Located in the Yukon for the season, Tuckwell is unable to attend her convocation ceremony in person on the morning of June 10 but will be watching the livestream.
“I am quite excited for my upcoming convocation day. To me, it’s a celebration of achieving this accomplishment of finishing my education over these four years,” she said.
“Being awarded the Governor General’s Academic Medal has left me feeling both very grateful and honoured,” she said. “It’s really allowed me to reflect on these past four years and appreciate all the hard work and dedication that I’ve put into my studies.”
Abigail Tuckwell’s Governor General Silver Academic Medal presentation will take place at her convocation ceremony on the morning of June 10. She will address the Class of 2025 graduates by video as she watches the ceremony via livestream from Dawson City, Yukon
The Governor General’s Academic Medal
Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General after Confederation, created the Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage academic excellence across the nation. Over the years, they have become the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive.
For nearly 150 years, the Governor General’s Academic Medals have recognized the outstanding scholastic achievements of students in Canada. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a high school, as well as from approved college or university programs. Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas, Kim Campbell, Robert Bourassa, Robert Stanfield and Gabrielle Roy are just some of the more than 50,000 people who have received the Governor General’s Academic Medal as the start of a life of accomplishment.
Today, the Governor General’s Academic Medals are awarded at four distinct levels: Bronze at the secondary school level; Collegiate Bronze at the post-secondary, diploma level; Silver at the undergraduate level; and Gold at the graduate level. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions, along with personalized certificates signed by the Governor General. There is no monetary award associated with the Medal.
