Student successes shine bright at the 2025 Seneca Polytechnic Awards | Advancement & Alumni | Seneca Students

The annual Seneca Polytechnic Awards event took place on Tuesday, March 25, celebrating the outstanding achievements of our students and recognizing the generous contributions of our donors. The event, held at The Pond at Newnham Campus, brought together students, faculty, employees and donors for an evening of recognition and celebration.

For the first time, Seneca combined its Student Leadership Awards, donor-funded awards and athletic awards into a single event. These awards included scholarships, bursaries, and special recognitions for leadership and community service.

Each award recipient had the opportunity to meet and thank their donors, fostering a sense of connection and gratitude. Tempestte Francis, winner of this year’s Stephen E. Quinlan Award, beautifully summed up what donors’ support means to students:

“Financial support plays a crucial part in student success. For many of us this support is the bridge between our dreams and reality. On behalf of all students, thank you for investing in us and believing in us. We hope to one day pay it forward.”

The event also served as an opportunity to acknowledge the generosity of Seneca’s donors, whose contributions make these awards possible. During his remarks, President David Agnew recognized how donor contributions not only provide financial assistance but also serve as a source of encouragement and motivation for students.

“We hear from students every day who tell us that your generosity has allowed them to focus on their career path; to pursue their dreams; to upgrade their credentials; to cover basic expenses like food and rent; and repeatedly, we hear that benefiting from an award has inspired students to give back so that the cycle of care continues.”

As the evening ended, attendees left with a renewed sense of pride and inspiration. The Seneca Polytechnic Awards event not only celebrated the achievements of its students but also highlighted the importance of community support and the impact of philanthropy on education.

View the 2025 Seneca Awards Reception photo gallery.