U of G recognizes 10 student leaders whose intellectual ability and community spirit will enrich the campus
The Lincoln Alexander Chancellor's Scholarships and the President's Scholarships are presented annually to students of academic distinction who have made significant contributions to their schools and their communities and demonstrate the potential to become leaders in society.
The President's Scholarships are the University's most prestigious entrance awards. Established in 1988, the program has provided financial support and academic guidance to 218 students, including the 10 who are recognized here.
The Chancellor's Scholarships were established in 2002 to honour U of G chancellor Lincoln Alexander on his 80th birthday. They are awarded to students who are aboriginal, persons with a disability or members of a racial minority, and are intended to enhance student diversity at U of G.
A faculty mentor in each scholar's discipline of study serves as an academic adviser and career counsellor throughout the student's undergraduate program. As they advance through their programs, the scholarship recipients often become mentors themselves or peer helpers who assist younger students in particularly difficult courses.
The scholarship program provides regular staff support to encourage scholars to develop their potential as student leaders and to provide information about international study, advanced degrees and other opportunities. Invariably, these students form a strong social network that, for some, may be the most memorable part of the program.
Recipients of both the Chancellor's and President's Scholarships were honoured Sept. 6 at a luncheon hosted by president Alastair Summerlee and Alexander. The event also recognized the contributions of faculty mentors and major donors to the scholarship program.
Franchelle Lao Earl Haig Secondary School, North York Franchelle was a top scholar and leader in her high school. She says her experience as an immigrant to Canada has taught her that compassion is one of the most important human qualities. Because of this, she has spent many hours volunteering to help others: tutoring, helping at the library, working with Alzheimer's patients and raising money for her school to sponsor two children overseas and for other Canadian charities. She took on leadership roles in her school community by serving as administrative co-ordinator for the leadership council and organizing parents' night, photo day and commencement. Faculty mentor: College of Physical and Engineering Science dean Peter Tremaine
Sabina Martyn Branksome Hall, Toronto Sabina played a leadership role in the multicultural society at her school and organized numerous events to promote equality. She also organized volunteer programs to get Branksome students involved with disadvantaged children, was active in the debating society and represented her school at a World Affairs Conference and the Secondary School United Nations Symposium. An honour student who excels in mathematics and science, she is also an accomplished violinist who last year was awarded a silver medal for Ontario through the Royal Conservatory of Music. She played in the school senior orchestra and participated in school and community athletic teams. Faculty mentor: Prof. Michele Oliver, Engineering
Debi Banerjee Sir John A. Macdonald Collegiate Institute, Agincourt Debi has received local and national recognition for her intellectual aptitude. She won the highest academic award in her graduating class, was selected to attend the Deep River Science Academy in Manitoba, attended the Shad Valley leadership program, worked at Toronto Western Hospital on a research scholarship and completed a co-op placement in the oncology department at Sunnybrook Hospital. She has also excelled in leadership and volunteer positions, most notably with her school's volunteer placement agency. She co-ordinated the student-run organization, which placed more than 300 high school volunteers in the local community. She was also secretary/treasurer of the Toronto District School Board Super Council from 2002 to 2005. Faculty mentor: Prof. Bettina Kalisch, Biomedical Sciences
Katie Clow Thousand Islands Secondary School, Brockville Katie has received recognition through school honours, respect from her peers because of her leadership abilities, and community appreciation for her humanitarian efforts. She has been involved in student government, peer tutoring, drinking-and-driving awareness, dramatic and musical activities and sports. She also organized a variety of fundraising events to support the Canadian Cancer Society and needy families in Guatemala and Chernobyl. She volunteered at a veterinary clinic and participated in a school club called Teens Needing Teens. To recognize her community commitment, the local newspaper presented her with a Brockville community award called “Cool to Be Kind.” Faculty mentor: Prof. Chris Whitfield, Molecular and Cellular Biology
Craig Hoglund West Elgin Secondary School, West LorneCraig moved through varsity sports from player to captain to coach in much the same way he has tackled academics and community involvement. As a result, he graduated with high honours in both the humanities and sciences. He played on both school and community sports teams in basketball, volleyball, hockey, badminton and soccer and served as captain for many of them. Craig's summer jobs have been in residential construction and weekend maintenance at his local hospital. He used these skills as a founding member of the health centre's youth board to lead in construction planning and fundraising for a local teen centre. He also found time to coach community teams in soccer and volleyball. Faculty mentor: Prof. Terry Graham, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences
Jennifer McIntyre Lord Beaverbrook High School, Calgary Jennifer received first-class honours in all four years of high school and served as a role model for other students because of her genuine desire to help those less fortunate. She played in concert and jazz bands, organized a leadership retreat for students, chaired the anti-harrassment committee, organized a tsunami disaster relief fundraiser and launched a lunchtime program for ESL students. Outside of school, she was co-president of a student Rotary Club that volunteers in the community, and is co-writing and publishing a book for teens on the subject of depression. She also worked as a camp counsellor, volunteered as a church school teacher and participated in a mission trip to Mexico, where she ran children's day camps. Faculty mentor: Prof. Kris Inwood, Economics
Amie Melnychuk Teulon Collegiate, Teulon, Manitoba Amie has taken the 4-H motto of “Learn to Do by Doing” and put it to work in both her personal life and schoolwork. She graduated at the top of her class academically, and her leadership skills earned the respect of her school community. She was student council treasurer, president of Student Voice, school newspaper editor and a member of the social committee, debating team and spirit squad. She enjoys the dramatic arts and has written several short stories, plays and amateur screenplays. A 4-H member for 10 years, Amie has served as a provincial junior director and earned the privilege of participating in both interprovincial and international exchanges. In the spring, she attended the Forum for Young Canadians in Ottawa, then spent part of the summer in Japan on a cultural exchange. Faculty mentor: Prof. Doug Joy, Engineering
Tamara Mischena Bishop Allen Academy, Toronto Tamara stands out as a compassionate leader and an outstanding student, maintaining a position on the honour roll throughout high school. Through student government, she organized fundraising events for tsunami relief, the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and a Toronto school for children with disabilities. She launched a buddy program to assist high school students with disabilities, helped organize a Grade 9 leadership retreat, and started a scholarship fund for students in Ukraine. Tamara also worked with Toronto Police Services to promote a safe school environment and was a volunteer scout leader and assistant dance instructor. She travelled to Jamaica in the summer of 2004 with the Students Crossing Borders program to learn about the poverty that exists beyond the Canadian border. Faculty mentor: Prof. Maureen Mancuso, provost and vice-president (academic)
James Murdoch Brebeuf College School, WillowdaleJames is a hockey-playing musician who welcomes the challenge of academic endeavours and likes to teach. An athlete who enjoys many sports, he was captain of both the Don Mills Flyers Triple A team and the Brebeuf senior team. He was also on the Brebeuf golf and track teams and volunteered as a hockey instructor. James earned many academic awards at Brebeuf and played first alto saxophone in the school's concert, jazz and stage bands, which toured this year in the Washington-Baltimore area. He was also active in his school's Can-Aid Food Drive, served as a camp counsellor for Grade 9 orientation and participated in a forum to inform local teachers about the Brebeuf e-learning program. Faculty mentor: Prof. Jon LaMarre, Biomedical Sciences
Megan Seiling K-W Collegiate and Vocational School and Elmira District Secondary School After completing high school in Elmira with academic honours, Megan decided to take an extra semester at Kitchener- Waterloo CVS while waiting for her chance to travel to South America, where she volunteered at a Bolivian animal rehabilitation centre. Megan's love of adventure kept her busy throughout high school as an athlete, musician, actress, environmentalist and youth leader. She served on student council; participated in hockey, ringette, cross-country and rugby; and played the violin in school bands. Outside of school, Megan performed with a local theatre company, played and coached ringette and soccer in the community and organized a fundraiser for local children in need. An accomplished singer, she is a Kiwanis scholarship winner. She has also worked with the Ontario forest ranger program and one-on-one with special-needs children. Faculty mentor: Prof. Joe Ackerman, Environmental Sciences
President's and Chancellor's Scholars are nominated by their secondary school principals. The application deadline is March 1. An information package about the nomination process, along with a nomination form, will be sent to all Canadian high schools this fall for fall 2006 applicants. Additional information is available from the associate registrar, Student Financial Services, at Ext. 56032, or by visiting the U of G website at www.uoguelph.ca.
