2018 Loran Scholar pursuing computer science and business at the University of Waterloo

Katherine Gotovsky has been named a recipient of Canada’s largest and most comprehensive undergraduate merit award, conferred by the Loran Scholars Foundation.

This year, out of a pool of 5,023 applicants across the nation, and among 88 finalists, 34 earned the Loran Award, marking the largest class of scholars in the foundation’s history.

Katherine Gotovsky (Ralph M. Barford Loran Award '18) comes from Thornhill, Ontario, where she attended University of Toronto Schools. She led a Girls in Tech conference and teaches code to women and youth. Gotovsky planned and oversaw initiatives for a national student organization, established a companionship program at a retirement residence and created her school's foreign language newspaper. She interned as a student developer at RBC.

Gotovsky is pursuing studies in computer science and business at the University of Waterloo. "I chose the University of Waterloo because it is a world leader when it comes to innovation and technology, for its world-class professors, research, and design teams, and for its co-op program, which demonstrates its incredible commitment to helping students succeed," says Gotovsky.

Gotovsky joins the ranks of 39 current and former Loran Scholars who chose to attend the University of Waterloo over the past 30 years. Of those alumni, Mark Schaan — a 1997 Loran Scholar — went on to become a Rhodes Scholar.

"Being a Loran Scholar has opened my eyes to what it truly means to be a person of character — to fully and absolutely commit to volunteerism, service and leadership. I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity," Gotovsky said.

Other University of Waterloo recipients of the 2018 Loran Scholarship are Dhruv Patel and Lauren Prophet.

About the Loran Scholars Foundation and Loran Award

The Loran Scholars Foundation, established in 1988, is a national charity that works in partnership with universities, donors and volunteers throughout the country to find and nurture the next generation of leaders of character: young Canadians who demonstrate integrity, commitment to service and leadership potential. The foundation looks for qualities in Loran Scholars that a transcript alone cannot show — courage, compassion, determination, entrepreneurial spirit, and a high level of personal autonomy — and invests in these students to study and realize their potential at Canadian institutions.

Loran Scholars receive a renewable four-year award valued at more than $100,000 comprising an annual $10,000 living stipend and matching tuition waiver from one of the foundation’s 25 partner universities; up to $10,000 in funding for tri-sectoral summer internships (enterprise, public policy and community development); a dedicated mentor; and the opportunity to connect with other high potential youth via scholar gatherings. Following their undergraduate studies, Loran Scholars are welcomed into an engaged alumni community, in which former scholars connect and collaborate through regional hubs and larger reunion events.