Schulich Leader Scholarships program doubles its impact

Joycelyn Ho was excited to learn that the Schulich Leader Scholarships program is doubling its endowment, offering twice as many students across Canada the same amazing opportunities she has had as a Schulich Leader.

“This scholarship means a great deal to me,” she says. “Throughout my degree, I have formed a fantastic network of friends both in and outside of engineering and have met other Schulich Leaders from across Canada.”

Canadian business leader and philanthropist Seymour Schulich has deepened his investment in Canada’s young science and engineering leaders to $200 million, motivated by his commitment to keep Canada at the forefront of the knowledge-based economy. The number of Schulich Leader Scholarships that will be offered at Canadian universities is now doubling from 50 to 100 annual awards.

These undergraduate scholarships of $100,000 or $80,000 each encourage high-achieving students to pursue a future in STEM. At UCalgary, award winners enrol in programs in the Faculty of Science or the Schulich School of Engineering.

Surround yourself with passion

Out of a pool of more than 300,000 potential candidates across Canada, Ho was one of the 1,500 high school students nominated and one of the 50 to receive this celebrated award in 2016. Now, as the number of awards doubles to 100, she wholeheartedly recommends that students apply.

“I would encourage other incoming students to apply for this scholarship because you are able to surround yourself with like-minded individuals who have the same passion about STEM and impacting the world,” she says.

Through this scholarship, Ho has been able to focus on extracurriculars — such as leadership roles in the UCalgary Petroleum and Engineering Society, where she worked to create opportunities for students to interact with industry leaders and benefit from their knowledge, experience and professional networks.

Currently in her third year of a chemical engineering degree with a specialization in energy and environment, Ho recently finished a year-long internship with Chevron Canada Resources. As a petroleum engineering intern on the asset optimization team, she learned how to provide production engineering support to monitor and optimize well performance — as well as how to assist in reservoir development by creating forecasts and reserve estimates.

Dr. Bill Rosehart, PhD, is dean of the Schulich School of Engineering, of which Ho’s program is a part.

The phrase 'Schulich Leader' has become synonymous with achievement.

“It’s a way to instantly recognize a person who is out to change the world with their enthusiasm and ideas," he says.

"Through this scholarship, we’ve had the honour of welcoming some of the greatest young minds in Canada to our school. It’s been a proud journey to watch these remarkable students fulfil the promise of excellence that comes with the distinction of being a Schulich Leader. As the scholarship grows, I look forward to meeting even more of these outstanding students.”

The Schulich Leaders scholarship has brought some of the nation’s best students to UCalgary — such as Manpreet Deol, Rhodes Scholarship winner, and Tingting Yan, winner of the President’s Award for Excellence in Student Leadership and 3M National Student Fellowship. 

Supporting top students part of UCalgary’s ecosystem of innovation  

Deol and Yan also benefited from UCalgary’s Scholars Academy, a program designed to extend the potential of high-achieving students. Dr. Jessica Cohen, PhD, the co-ordinator of Scholars Programs at UCalgary, has had the privilege of seeing them, and many other promising students, succeed over the years.

“It is fantastic to see these students, who are champions within their community, excel not only at UCalgary but also within the numerous clubs and organizations they are involved in, such as the Scholars Academy. The Scholars Academy thrives on having Schulich Leaders within the program who we can then support, challenge and connect with other equally ambitious students,” she says.

Each year, as a new class of Schulich Leaders prepares to start university, and as others graduate on their way to the next part of their journey, the impact of this scholarship continues to grow. Learn more about Canada’s Schulich Leaders and some of what they are accomplishing.

Seymour Schulich’s investment in Schulich Leaders is part of Energize: The Campaign for Eyes High, UCalgary’s $1.3 billion fundraising campaign. Fueled by the generosity of UCalgary’s friends and supporters, we are igniting discovery, creativity and innovation to make lasting positive change at the University of Calgary, in our city and beyond.

Publicly launched in April 2016, the campaign will officially end June 30, 2020 with a public celebration.