Quincy Clark’s academic achievements include earning Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal
Quincy Clark excels at all she does.
Clark was presented with the Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal at Algoma University’s Spring 2026 Convocation held June 13.
The award is given to the graduate student with the highest academic standing across all Algoma University campuses.
She earned a Master of Science degree in biology.
“It was amazing,” Clark said after winning the award.
“I had been striving for the Governor General’s medal for a very long time so it was very nice to finally get the recognition for my academic success.
“Academically I’ve always been pretty good at every subject I’ve given my attention to.”
With her eyes set on eventually building a career in the sciences, Clark is currently taking a well-deserved break from university books, the classroom and lab.
She’s working as an academic success advisor for students at Cambrian College in Sudbury.
“I help students who are struggling academically and show them the path for them to succeed. I give them their options. I can tell them how to get into certain programs or advise them against certain things.”
She realizes that post-secondary education can be difficult for many and doesn’t want people to struggle.
“I just want to help people at the end of the day,” Clark said.
She’s gifted not only with a scientific mind but also with artistic talent.
Clark released her first novel titled To Those Who Have Lost in July 2023.
The book tells the tale of a woman determined to leave gloomy, misogynistic living conditions.
Clark wrote the novel as a cathartic way of dealing with the loss of a family member.
“When people read it, they love it,” she said.
Clark, who said she is always eager to receive reviews of the novel through social media, plans to write a sequel for To Those Who Have Lost and a third, unrelated novel.
“The sequel for To Those Who Have Lost will be fantasy and the other project will be based on my experiences during my masters to an extent. Somewhat autobiographical, but fiction.”
She’s had a lifelong love for writing and has also applied her skill to other forms of artistic expression.
“My mom had me writing books when I was three. I love writing. I’ve always loved books and I’ve always been very artistically inclined. I also paint and I taught myself how to play piano.”
As a high school student, Clark excelled athletically.
“I used to be quite involved with badminton and every other sport that a high school had to offer, like track and field especially.”
She went to NOSSA every year for track and field as a CASS student and all the way to OFSAA for badminton as a Grade 12 student at Korah.
“I didn’t win at OFSAA. My partner and I did well in doubles but we had a couple little fumbles, but we were there to have fun,” Clark recalled with a chuckle.
A knee injury she sustained last year has sidelined her from most athletic activities but she still works out at the gym regularly.
As a young woman who has already achieved success in several areas of her life, what’s her idea of the perfect career?
“I’d love to write. I’d love to travel and write and just be with the people I care about,” she said.
That answer led her to state what’s most important to her.
“My family,” she said without hesitation.
“I do everything for the people I care about. When I look back on my life I don’t want to regret where I spent my time or where I put my energy. If you don’t spend time with the people that you care about, what are you really doing?”