Six students have been named McGill University's recipients of Schulich Leader Scholarships, the most generous student award for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) studies in Canada.
McGill alumnus Seymour Schulich, BSc'61, MBA'65, DLitt'04, established the Schulich Leader Scholarships for entrepreneurial-minded students who excel academically and display leadership, charisma and creativity.
One hundred students across Canada received the coveted scholarship this year out of a pool of 350,000 potential candidates and more than 1,400 nominees. The undergraduate scholarships are valued at $120,000 for students studying Engineering and $100,000 for students in Science, Technology or Mathematics programs.
The three Schulich Leaders entering McGill's Faculty of Engineering, who have each received $120,000 scholarships, are: Andreea-Nicole Calenciuc, Allison Hutchings, and Yanni Klironomos.
Andreea-Nicole Calenciuc, a graduate of Marianopolis College in Westmount, QC, is enrolled in the Software Engineering program. In addition to academic excellence, Calenciuc helped revive a research club at her CEGEP and established the first club-led lab project, which focused on detecting bacterial contamination in wastewater.
Allison Hutchings, a graduate of Holy Heart of Mary High School in St. John's, NL, will be studying Computer Engineering. A stellar STEM student, Hutchings was a founding member and captain of her school's robotics team and has been honoured for her work as a youth female soccer referee.
Yanni Klironomos, a graduate of John Abbott College in Sainte-Anne de Bellevue, QC, is entering the Software Engineering Co-op program. In addition to academic excellence, Klironomos worked as a nanoscience research assistant and envisions setting up his own software company.
The three Schulich Leaders beginning their studies at McGill's Faculty of Science and recipients of $100,000 scholarships are: Nami Dwyer, Daniel Valentini and Thanasis Wees.
Nami Dwyer, a graduate of Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Academy in Canmore, AB, will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree. An outstanding student, Dwyer spearheaded a student-led energy audit at her high school and presented the project at a youth summit at the UN's COP28 in Dubai where she served as a student delegate.
Daniel Valentini, a graduate of Dawson College in Montreal, will be studying Computer Science and Biology. In addition to academic excellence, Valentini was involved in a bioinformatics research project during an internship and revived and led the Reach for the Top trivia team at his CEGEP.
Thanasis Wees, a graduate of Highland Secondary School in Comox, BC, is embarking on a Bachelor of Science degree with plans to major in Computer Science and Mathematics. In addition to academic excellence, Wees launched a summer youth outdoor math education camp and served in an executive capacity on the Comox Youth Council.
Since Seymour Schulich established the scholarship fund in 2012, McGill has welcomed 56 Schulich Leaders, including this year's cohort.
"We are proud to celebrate the continued success of Schulich Leader Scholarships, the premiere STEM scholarship program in Canada. This group of outstanding students will represent the best and brightest Canada has to offer and will make great contributions to society, both on a national and global scale. With their university expenses covered, they can focus their time on their studies, research projects, extracurriculars, and entrepreneurial ventures. They are the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators," says program founder Mr. Schulich.
About Schulich Leader Scholarships Canada
Recognizing the increasing importance and impact that STEM disciplines will have on the prosperity of future generations, businessman and philanthropist Seymour Schulich established this $100+ million scholarship fund in 2012 to encourage our best and brightest students to become Schulich Leader Scholars: the next generation of entrepreneurial-minded, technology innovators.
Through The Schulich Foundation, these prestigious entrance scholarships are awarded to 100 high school and CEGEP graduates enrolling in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) undergraduate program at 20 partner universities in Canada. Every high school in Canada can submit one Schulich Leader Nominee per academic year based on academic excellence in STEM, entrepreneurial leadership and financial need.
