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Schulich Leader Scholarships: Investing in the next generation of innovators

Schulich Leaders are recipients of Canada’s largest Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) scholarship.

The scholarships are valued at $120,000 each for students pursuing an engineering degree and $100,000 each for students pursuing degrees in science, technology and mathematics.

Philanthropist Seymour Schulich established the scholarships more than 10 years ago. Schulich credits his success to a life-changing scholarship, which enabled him to attend McGill University’s first-ever MBA class in 1965. Now he’s “paying it forward.”

“We are proud to celebrate the continued success of Schulich Leader Scholarships, the premier STEM scholarship program in Canada,” Schulich said. “This group of 100 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.”

DeBoer and the other Western Schulich Leaders were selected from a nationwide pool of 350,000 potential candidates and 1,400 nominated students, to be named among 100 scholarship recipients from across Canada.

“Receiving this award is a great honour,” DeBoer said. “It feels amazing to receive it. It really helps financially and frees me up to focus on school and projects.”

Meet the other 2024 Western Schulich Leaders, from Newfoundland to British Columbia.

Ryan Marsh, Exeter, Ont. (science)

An inquisitive and dedicated learner in all areas of his life, Ryan Marsh achieved the highest academic average in his high school in Grades 9 and 11, and various subject awards throughout Grades 9, 10 and 11. Marsh was accepted into the Shad Program in July 2022, and, through a variety of STEM and entrepreneurial experiences, collaborated with like-minded students from across Canada to creatively solve challenges. Marsh hopes to work in the space sector conducting and applying scientific research in the fields of astronomy, physics, chemistry and mathematics.