Michael Noonan, a member of the Concordia Stingers wrestling team, has been awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, which is widely considered the world’s most prestigious academic award.
He will pursue his graduate studies at University of Oxford in England where all expenses for two or three years of study will be provided. A Rhodes Scholarship is valued at approximately $50,000 per year.
The 24-year-old native of Châteauguay, Que. is completing a BSc in Honours Ecology with a current grade point average of 4.17 out of 4.3.
With an undergraduate degree in Ecology, focusing on fish behaviour and conservation in particular, Noonan plans to continue his research pursuing a DPhil in Zoology at Oxford within the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit.
Applicants are judged on much more than straight academics. Energy to use one's talents to the fullest, as exemplified by fondness for and success in sports, is one of the criteria considered.
Noonan is now in his fifth year with the Concordia wrestling team. Last season, he represented the university in six events, finishing first in the Quebec/Atlantic qualifying tournament where he earned a berth at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) championships. At the nationals, he finished in fourth place in the 76 kilos weight class, picking up key points towards Concordia’s 2011 CIS men’s wrestling championship title.
“Michael is an outstanding example of how sport can help students to be successful in academics and other endeavours,” said Concordia wrestling coach Victor Zilberman. “We are extremely proud of his accomplishments, both on the mat and off, as well as his development as a person. Michael Noonan is an outstanding representative of Concordia University athletics.”
Noonan is one of two Quebecers (11 Canadians) to be selected for the scholarship this year.
