The Hub Convocation 2020: Thomas Leydier, Governor General’s Silver Medal Recipient
#AthaU20 Grads

Convocation 2020: Thomas Leydier, Governor General’s Silver Medal Recipient

By: Thomas Leydier

To celebrate #AthaU20 Convocation, we are profiling some of AU’s grads. The team at AU is so proud of everything they have accomplished and we are excited to celebrate each one of our graduates leading up to convocation and beyond!

Read on to learn more about Thomas Leydier’s story and his AU journey through the Bachelor of Professional Arts program. Thomas is also the recipient of the 2020 Governor General’s Academic Silver Medal, awarded annually to AU’s top undergraduate student.

The Governor General’s Academic Medals were created in 1873 by Lord Dufferin, Canada’s third Governor General, to commemorate outstanding academic achievement on a national scale. The medals are awarded on an annual basis to scholars who are enrolled in approved programs from Canadian universities and colleges, as well as high school students.

Students who achieve the highest average are eligible to be recognized with a Governor General’s medal.

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Tell us about yourself—what do you do?

I am an RCMP officer from Abbotsford, BC. I started at the age of 20, and I have worked in many different styles of policing. However, beyond my job, I am a father and a husband first. For hobbies, I love to be physically active. I have been weightlifting since I was a teenager, and I love to do Crossfit and Judo. Finally, I love to play guitar and write songs. You can check out some of my music available on my SoundCloud, if you’re bored.

Thomas Leydier

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Why did you choose Athabasca University (AU) for your studies?

University, in the traditional sense, was impossible. I started at 32 years old, and I was firmly entrenched in my career. Accordingly, AU offered me a gateway to my educational path.

Thomas Leydier

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What did you like about your experience with us?

The flexibility and proximity that AU provided allowed me to plan my studies on my timetable. This flexibility was forgiving and permitted me to attend to the various demands of family and parenthood. Moreover, AU offered exciting course material, which both engaged me and challenged me. I learned, refined, and improved my writing skills and critical thinking abilities. These skills transferred over to my career and my life.

Thomas Leydier

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What advice do you have for current learners or future learners?

I do believe everyone learns differently. So, what works for one person might not work for another. However, that said, I can lift the veil on what I found worked tremendously well. First, find out what works for you. If you receive an excellent grade in one course, try to figure out what enabled you to get you that grade – then repeat. Second, remain consistent. Get ahead of your course material. I would access my course material at any single moment of opportunity. Find times that work for you and your life. I would read while waiting in the grocery lineup, doctor’s office, car after work. You get the point. I believe for online studies—you must be disciplined. Avoid distractions and focus on the time allotted to you. Lastly, immerse yourself in your course content. Seek out external resources and ask questions. I would ruminate on course concepts away from my books and seek to become an expert in each course. Then, when assignments came, I could yield a comprehensive answer, and I knew what I wanted to say!

Thomas Leydier

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How does it feel to win the Governor General’s Silver medal?

I am humbled to win this award. When I started university, it was against the background of a high school experience where I did not apply myself. So, when I went back at the age of 32, I decided to give it my all. I surprised myself with my success and capabilities. I also found a newfound love and passion for education and learning, which I think directly correlated to my success. Being the recipient of this award should symbolize what is possible when you challenge yourself in something unfamiliar. You might surprise yourself in the wildest of ways! Thank you to all the other undergrads who motivated me and inspired me to give it my all.

Thomas Leydier

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How will you celebrate convocation?

I will be celebrating with my wife Amanda and son Jaden. I will tune into the reimagined convocation and watch the ceremony. We had a lovely trip to Whistler, BC this summer, where we celebrated.

Thomas Leydier

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What’s next for you?

I am presently enrolled in the Master of Public Safety degree at Wilfred Laurier University. After this, I will explore PhDs or doctorate degrees. I am interested in professorship and academia. As said, I found a new passion, and I hope to use this passion to teach and educate others. Retirement might simply mean a second career altogether. I would love to come back to AU someday since I had such a positive experience.

Thomas Leydier

2019-2020 Governor General's Academic Silver Medal
2019-2020 Governor General's Academic Silver Medal awarded to Thomas Leydier, BPA

Thomas Leydier was born in North York, Ontario. He moved to Alberta when he was one-year-old because his father was a police officer. He, too, joined the police force, and all his service has been in British Columbia. He enjoys physical fitness and playing guitar. The treasure of his life is his wife, Amanda, and son, Jaden. 

Published:
  • October 2, 2020
Guest Blog from:
Thomas Leydier