Ryerson award winner makes sure the kids are all right

When 23-year-old Peter Falco proudly walked across the convocation stage to collect his undergraduate degree in Criminology, getting the certificate was the culmination of four years of hard work and dedication. His post-secondary journey was helped along by two Ryerson awards, both of which remain available to current students.

Falco received the Errol Aspevig Undergraduate Award, recognizing the outstanding academic performance of a third year student. It was established in 2007 with a gift from G. Raymond Chang, then Ryerson’s chancellor, to mark the retirement of philosophy professor and faculty of arts dean Dr. Aspevig after 36 years at the university.

Falco also received the Ryerson University Alumni Association (RUAA) Award, created in 2011 to recognize students who have enhanced the university’s relationship with the external community. RUAA board members and other alumni contribute annually to enhance the endowed award which originated in funds generated through alumni participation in affinity partnership programs.

Falco garnered the prestigious awards for his volunteer work with two organizations, Fostering, Empowering, Advocating, Together (FEAT) and Volunteers Assisting Students and Teachers program (VAST). FEAT is a mentorship program for young people with family members in conflict with the law, while Ryerson’s VAST program places faculty of arts students like Peter as classroom assistants in local elementary schools that need extra support.

“I had several friends who had volunteered with VAST and recommended it as a way to gain practical experience and support the local community,” says Falco. “I had done volunteer work with children in the past, so I thought being a volunteer would be a great way to spend part of my time at Ryerson.”

In addition to helping young people, Falco’s volunteering has also helped him learn about himself. “I was surprised at how rewarding hard work can be,” he says. “Awards aside, I have been very pleased with how my studying and volunteering has shaped me into the person I am today.”

He has some important advice for Ryerson students who could use some financial support. He recommends applying for any available awards for which they might be eligible. “Most of all though, I would tell them to push themselves and strive for excellence in all areas of their lives, be it school, work, volunteering, or relationships,” he counsels. “That way, even if they don’t win an award, they will know they have done their best to reach their full potential.”

Now that he is a Ryerson alumnus, Falco has an eye towards landing a job in the Canadian criminal justice system. He is thankful to the donors who funded his awards and helped make his time at Ryerson so meaningful. “The prestige and financial assistance that comes with receiving an award from Ryerson University has pushed me to do my best in my academic and extracurricular activities,” he says. “They are a great incentive for students to strive for excellence.”