sutton's sweet treats final

Sutton’sTreats

Sweet

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Written by the 2015-2016 Sutton Award Recipients

1

A very special thank you to Catherine Purcell, Director of Principal Gifts at the Smith School of Business, whose guidance has been a cornerstone of the Thank You gift this year.

Thanks also go to Martha Santos at the Smith School of Business, and to all of the Sutton Award recipients who contributed to this year’s gift.

Published in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on June 1, 2016

3

Sutton’s Sweet Treats

THANK YOU GIFT 2015-2016

4

INTRODUCTION

T o say that being a Sutton award recipient is life changing, would be a gross understatement. While designing and compiling the entries for Sutton’s Sweet Treats, I have delighted in getting to know my peers better, but also in remark-

ing how our gratitude for you, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, and your seemingly endless gener-osity, is strikingly universal between us.

I hope that this book captures each of our own idiosyncratic personalities, our indi-vidual ambitions, and brings you a little bit closer to each one of us. Most importantly, however, I can only hope that we effectively convey just how much we appreciate your devotion to our education, success, and wholesome Queen’s experience.

Thank you so much, truly.

Bon Appetit!

Catherine Ryoo

5

1styear

COMM ‘19

6

Ingredients: Thank You Message:• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award

Kyle’s Kinglike KabobsKyle Lanzinger, Comm ‘19Ambitious, Competitive, Hard-working

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Queen’s Commerce Service Initiative• Queen’s Social Investment Initiative• Semi-Professional Soccer Player (Kingston Clippers Soc-cer Club)• Extreme sports enthusiast• Queen’s varsity soccer player• Volunteer with Martha’s Table• Queen’s Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship • Personal equity trading• Following and analyzing financial markets

When I received the Sutton Award I had a tough time figuring out what to do with the money. Of course, the immediate answer would be to put

it towards my tuition fees. I am not entirely sure why, but doing so didn’t feel right to me. I knew that the government would give me loans to put towards University, so I decid-ed to find something else to do with the money that would broaden my horizons in a way that my education cannot.

This is when I stumbled upon the Queen’s Commerce Ser-vice Initiative. With this group, and with some of the money from the Sutton Award, I was able to fly to New Orleans to help in the rebuilding of homes that were damaged and vacated due to Hurricane Katrina. While in New Orleans, I learned more than I ever could in a classroom. I saw the horrendous and dangerous living conditions that some people lived in and witnessed how some people truly have no hope. Seeing this gave me a new appreciation for my life and what I have. The rest of the money from the award has gone towards my studies, and I can truly say that without your support, I would not be able to continue in the Com-merce program.

As for the rest of my career, no matter what I do, I hope I can wake up every morning and do something I love to do. Ultimately, when the dust settles and I retire, I hope I am able to do exactly what you do, and help the future gener-ations of Queen’s students achieve anything they want to through their education and life experiences. With that, I want to say thank you, not only for the money you have generously given me, but for the unforgettable life experi-ences I have been able to gain as a result.

“Never let your fear decide your fate.” - Aaron Bruno


7

Irene’s Imaginative Ice Cream

“Life is not measured by the amount of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath

away.”

Irene Li, Comm ‘19Driven, Optimistic, Imperfect.

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Classical Piano • Basketball• Volleyball• Baking • Enthusiasm• Strong Work Ethic • Drive for Success• Creativity • Queen’s Soul Food • Queen’s Non-Profit Outreach Team

Writing this as a student who has officially com-pleted their first year, I have come to see how the Sutton Award has been instrumental in leading

me to where I am today.. If it were not for the Sutton fam-ily, all the experiences I have gained as a first year Smith student may have not materialized. Queen’s in itself is an incredible institution, and the Smith School of Business has provided me with an unparalleled education and pro-fessional skills. My time here has helped me to develop as a professional, and as a person. Within my first year, I have already gained countless experiences that have equipped me to realize my passions and my values. This year I was honoured to have worked with Queen’s Soul Food and the Queen’s Non-Profit outreach team. Both have brought to my attention the significance of non-profits and their abilities to make a difference. One crucial insight I gained about myself was how strongly I felt about taking the business concepts learned in the class and applying them in a meaningful way to help our communities. Al-though in the future, I may not necessarily choose to work for a non-profit, I still believe in taking this CSR perspec-tive and applying it in a way that matters, in a way that is bigger than ourselves.

8


Cat’s Coconut Cream PieCatherine Ryoo, Comm ‘19Creative, Passionate, Curious

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Literature• Theatre• Ballet• Oil Thigh Designs• Queen’s Entrepreneurship Competition• The Queen’s Journal• Learning languages• Vegan cooking and animal rights activism• Travel• Perpetual thirst for knowl-edge and innate curiosity

Since entering the Smith School of Business, there have been multiple times when I have needed to take a conscious step away from the chaos of first

year to wholeheartedly appreciate the singularity of our program. I, now more than ever, remain convinced that Smith, and Queen’s, are unmatched in the richness of its academics but also in the depth of its student experience and inescapable sense of community; of family.

I look back on this past year and I revel at the friendships I have formed, and at the changed person I now recognize in the mirror. To those who say that one’s most formative years take place in university, I cannot disagree. Explor-ing my passions for journalism at the Queen’s Journal, and for not-for-profit ventures at Oil Thigh Designs has shaped me to be more adaptable, sociable, curious and innovative.

So much of what I love about Queen’s is tied to my passion for what I’m studying, and I feel privileged to be experi-encing such satisfaction with my university experience thus far. After all, it has only been a year!

Without your astounding generosity, I certainly would have approached Queen’s more gingerly, and may not have eventually chosen it as my home for the next three years. I absolutely cannot thank you, Gerry and Margaret, enough for your support in my education and effectively, in the development of my character and leadership.

“What is done in love is done well.” - Vincent van Gogh

9

2ndyear

COMM ‘18

10


Hana’s Heavenly Hazelnut ShortbreadYohana Chaudhury, Comm ‘18Passionate, Compassionate, Idealist

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Queen’s International Affairs Association (Vice-President) - the largest non-athletic club on campus dedicated to pro-moting discussion of global affairs and issues • Alma Mater Society Educa-tion Advocacy Coordinator • CFRC Radio Station and the Student Life (Information) Centre • Queen’s Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow committee • Baker! • Senate committee on Aca-demic Development • Avid debater • Advice giver and mother hen • Mentor

A few words of thanks seem too small to return to you after what you have given to me. Neverthe-less, I would like to express my sincere appreci-

ation and gratefulness at your kind, and generous efforts to help student like me to get the best education possible, no matter the cost. It is because of this scholarship that I have been able to rest a little easier, and it is the reason that I was able to attend Queen’s. I truly cannot thank you enough and cannot begin to describe the profound impact this has had on my life. Because of you, I have been able to receive a world-class education, make lifelong friends and learn so much. It is because of you I have been able to thrive, participate in extracurricular activities and in my part, contribute to the Queen’s Community. Your gift has not gone unappreciated or unnoticed by me - it changed my life. The future is unknown, but I know that I will be equipped with a degree from a great school and will be able to impact the world positively because of it. Wheth-er it is through policy work, consulting, or pursuing law school, I will continue to work hard at everything I do and infuse my passion and interests into my work.

Thank you so much for everything you have done and con-tinue to do.

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.”


11

Brennan’s Bite-Size Buttercream BrowniesBrennan Kolotinsky, Comm ‘18Humility, Candour, Analytical

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Financial Modelling• Research• Queen’s Capital • Guitar• Chess• Swimming• Queen’s Dance District• Heart and Stroke Foundation• Quidditch• University of Exeter

I sincerely thank you for the opportunities you have granted me. By receiving the Sutton Award, I have been able to become more involved with the commu-

nity. First and foremost, the bursary has been used to help me fund my tuition. Without, the award I would have had to work unrealistic hours while attending University. This would have made it impossible for me to achieve academic excellence. Additionally, I would not have had the time to join clubs like Queen’s Capital. Queen’s Capital has allowed me to acquire the skills I need to pursue a career in finance. It is only with this bursary that I have acquired the grades, credentials, and experience needed to start my career post-graduation.

Next year I will be going on exchange to England at the University of Exeter. The bursary will provide me with the additional funding I will need to pursue this experience. Going on exchange means so much to me as I have never had the chance to travel outside of North America. It has always been my dream to travel and going to Europe will allow me to meet new people, improve my self-confidence, and gain a broader perspective on life. It is the opportunity of a lifetime! I am truly honoured to be awarded this bursa-ry and cannot fully express my gratitude in words.

“Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t” - Bill Nye

12

3rdyear

COMM ‘17


13

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” - Will Rogers

Thank you very much for your generous financial support for the past three years of my undergrad-uate education. Your donation is the catalyst that

allowed and continues to allow me to find and pursue my dreams. With your support, I have the time to participate in many extracurricular activities while still maintaining my academic standards. Participation in humanitarian organizations the past two years has inspired me to start my own this year to raise funds for a medical mission to Kenya.

This year, I have had the privilege of going on a student exchange to Singapore, which has been one of my dreams as Singapore is a key financial hub with financial career options not found in Canada. The opportunity to study abroad led me to accept a corporate finance internship abroad in Asia this summer. Your support in my education has opened up my future to many more opportunities both personally and professionally that I have never imagined myself in, such as working abroad. In short, your support means the world to me.

Susan’s Scrumptious Spaghetti

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Adventurous backpacker• Volunteering• Queen’s Mully Children’s Family• Queen’s International Jus-tice Mission• Finance and accounting• Part-time librarian• Website design• Multilingual

Susan Li, Comm ‘17Hardworking, Optimistic, Ambitious

14

4thyear

COMM ‘16

Ingredients: Thank You Message:

“Continue to do what sparks your joy.”

Your generous donation and continuous financial support to my education over the past few years has been greatly appreciated. Now that I am

graduating, filled with excitement to see the new world and all its possibilities, I have you to thank for helping me achieve my dream of becoming a civil engineer.

Your donation has given me the opportunity to focus on my studies while still being able to live a life where I can continue to pursue outside interests to learn and explore other hobbies. During this time, I was able to spend my leisure time doing what I enjoyed � photography, playing guitar and I even learned to cook meals beside pasta (In fact, I can confidently say that I can now make amazing steaks and salmon). Most importantly, I have been able to travel for a month with a couple of my friends to Europe to explore the world. I was particularly excited to learn about the food, culture, and even got to see a lot of the bridges and structures which were normally discussed in class which I thought was amazing! This put all my theo-retical knowledge into perspective and practice and made me more aware that being a civil engineer is something that I would like to pursue.

Thank you again for your compassionate support and I hope that you will continue to make a big impact in oth-er’s lives, as you have with mine. I assure you that I will continue to work hard and pay this kind act forward.

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Photography• Squash• Reading• Guitar• Travel• Cooking / Baking

Maxine Mendoza, Comm ‘16Petite, Funny, Creative

Maxine’s Marvelous Mint-ChocolateCookies

15

4th

16


“Be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.” -Warren Buffett

I ’d like to begin by thanking you for your unwavering generosity with respect to my education over the last four years � it really means a lot. It’s safe to say that

your contribution has played a large role in financing my post-secondary education and has had a profound effect on my broader career outcomes.

I have completed my final year in the Commerce program at Queen’s and am set to graduate at the end of May. While I began at Queen’s with the intention to have a career in finance, I have since changed my focus and have moved to the United States to pursue entrepreneurship. Specifically, I’d like to work my way up to owning com-mercial real estate properties like hotels and one day, start-up a real estate private equity fund.

It’s unfortunate but I won’t be able to attend the luncheon again this year as I will be in the United States. However, I’d love to speak with you over the phone at some point if your time permits. You can reach me anytime at 647-609-0962 or through email at [email protected]. Once again, thank you for all you have done for me.

Aakash Shah, Comm ‘16Hardworking, Analytical, Competitive

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Reading• Politics• Financial analysis• Martial arts• Weightlifting • CREO Solutions• Entrepreneurship

Aakash’s Amazing Ambrosia


17

“No day but today.”

I owe everything to the Suttons. Over my last four years at Queen’s, the Sutton Award has allowed me to fully immerse myself in the university experience,

and has given me the opportunity to become involved in practical aspects of the Business program such as being a part of clubs, committees, and businesses that ulti-mately helped me garner an offer of full-time employment after graduation. Moreover, I was able to take part in an international exchange to the Aston Business School in Birmingham, England during my third year of study, which not only helped me in my studies, but allowed me to meet new people and experience just how wonderful (and big!) the world really is. Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, your generous contribution has made me feel more empowered as a student, and motivated me to continuously work hard throughout my time at Queen’s in order to reach my own personal goals.

Because of you both, I will be starting my career at a mul-tinational corporation with an extraordinary skill set and a genuine love of learning. Your benevolence has truly made a tremendous impact on my post-secondary career, and I am forever grateful for everything you do. Thank you.

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Co-Director of the Com-merce Society Public Rela-tions Team• 2 years on Queen’s Retail Forum Executive Team• 3 years as Social Media Coordinator at the Queen’s University Enrichment Stud-ies Unit• Guitar playing• Photography• Collecting vinyl records• Quick wit• Interest in comedy and mu-sic• Positive outlook on life• Willingness to work hard

Kiara Zuchkan, Comm ‘16Funny, Loyal, Kind

Kiara’s Killer Kiwi Krush

18

Recentgraduates

COMM ‘15


19

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are” - E.E. Cummings

I am extremely grateful to have received the Sutton Scholarship for Higher Education. Since I was young I dreamed of some day going to law school, and this

award has made that experience all that much more achievable and enjoyable. I came to Queen’s Commerce with the ultimate goal of going to law school upon gradua-tion, and my time at the business school shaped my future more than I could have imagined. In my second year of the program I gained a passion for human resource manage-ment, which transitioned into a professional interest in the field of labour and employment law. The significant la-bour and employment law reputation at Queen’s Law and my positive experience in my undergrad led me to stay at Queen’s University for my JD studies. One of the best aspects of this decision is that I have been able to con-tinue my involvement with the Smith School of Business. My role as a Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant shaped my undergraduate experience � look back, these experiences were some of my favourite parts of the pro-gram. Completing my professional studies at Queen’s has enabled me to keep these positions and to continue shar-ing my love of Queen’s Commerce and human resource management with students. I am so excited for what the next two years at Queen’s Law have in store for me, and am so grateful for the Sutton Award for helping me ac-complish my goals.

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Enthusiastic traveller - vis-ited fourteen European coun-tries in four months while on exchange in the Netherlands• Avid reader - current favou-rite book is ‘A Million Little Pieces’ by James Frey • Long time competitive soccer player and dancer • Had my 22-minutes of fame on the reality TV show ‘Pick a Puppy’• Love to cook; particularly enjoy making soups• Currently raising a Future Guide Dog• Co-President of the Queen’s Labour and Employment Law Club• Teaching Assistant and Re-search Assist at SSB in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour

Alyssa Jagt, Comm ‘15Ambitious, Loyal, Talkative

Alyssa’s Amazing Apple Crisp

20


“Do things that count, and don’t count the things you do.”

The Sutton Scholarship was the last gift I received from Queen’s when I graduated last year. To me, it is not only an honor but also a legacy that I can

live in and pass on. It is the spirit of insatiable pursuit of knowledge embedded in this scholarship that allows me to thrive in the academic-oriented MIT community, and would accompany me along the way.

• Key Ingredient: The Sutton Award• Travel and adventure• Music and photography• Member of the MIT sailing club• Critical thinking and finan-cial modelling• Problem spotting and solv-ing

Vania Zhihua Shi, Comm ‘15Energetic, Driven, Curious

Vaniamania

21

a

bigthank you

Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton. As you can likely tell, you have impacted all of our lives in various ways, and we will be forever indebted to you for all that you have done and continue to do for Queen’s students.

Yours gratefully,

Elizabeth Wu, Alex Wu, Marcus Ho, Shi, Carmen Chen, Alina Zhao, Meli Lifshits, Min-Ji Nam, Mustafa Ahmadzai, Parv Mital, Erika Plante-Signal, Joshua Parada

sutton's sweet treats final

Documents