Faculty of Arts & Science (Arts) Gold Medal Winner Joseph Dyck
For Joseph Dyck (BASc '25), returning to university as a mature student wasn’t just a career shift — it was a leap of hope. With majors in philosophy and psychology, he found both academic recognition and a deep sense of purpose, whether in the collaborative research culture of the Barrett-Henzi Lab or building community through the Pre-Law Society. This fall, he’ll begin law school at the University of Alberta, where he hopes to bring insights from psychology and neuroscience into the courtroom to help strengthen scientific literacy in legal contexts.
Meet Joseph | Medal won: Faculty of Arts & Science (Arts) Gold Medal
Program: Bachelor of Arts & Science | Major: Philosophy/Psychology
What does this academic recognition mean to you?
To me, this academic recognition holds hope for anyone struggling to find meaning and considering a leap into education as a mature student to pursue a new career. This means hope to farm kids and field hands with budding dreams. This means hope that people can change and grow.
What is your most memorable ULethbridge experience?
Deciding on my most memorable ULethbridge experience is tricky, since it could be either the experience of being welcomed into the Barrett-Henzi Lab in the Department of Psychology or presiding over the Pre-Law Society's Barrister Ball events. Finding a warm welcome from a supportive band of friends in the Barrett-Henzi lab and learning about their research was an inspiring introduction to the curiosity and collaboration of scientific work. And, in hosting the Pre-Law Society's inaugural Barrister Ball, I had the pleasure of connecting undergraduate students with a network of local lawyers and seeing students make strides toward careers in law.
What is the most important lesson you learned during your time at ULethbridge?
During my time at ULethbridge, I learned my most important lesson in the Barrett-Henzi Lab: a null result is a result! Taking this to heart meant freedom from the pursuit of flashy publishable results, an embrace of human fallibility and doubt to counter my own biases, and an openness to the not so neat and tidy work of science in pursuing the story in the data.
Is there someone specific who had an important influence on your ULethbridge experience?
More than I can list here, but people who had an important influence on my ULethbridge experience include: Dr. Louise Barrett; Dr. Peter Henzi; Dylan LaValley; the wonderful folks in the Barrett-Henzi Lab; Dr. J.B. Leca; Dr. David Logue; Dr. Gerlinde Metz and the wonderful folks in the Metz Neuroscience Lab; Dr. Javid Sadr; the Department of Psychology Book Club; Dr. Richard Mueller; Dr. Ardis Anderson; Dr. Kent Peacock; Dr. Susan Dieleman; Jason Breen, Don McIntyre, Dr. Katharina Stevens; my Ethics Bowl colleagues; the executive board and club members of the Pre-Law Society; and so many students and friends that made my time here amazing.
What advice would you give to those about to begin their journey at ULethbridge?
My advice to new students is to build beneficial habits before you need them, and lean into them when times get tough. Share your wins with those who support you, as sometimes they need them more than you do. In all this, employ self-compassion because you are a work-in-progress, still learning.
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