Two new students began their studies at Waterloo Engineering this fall backed by prestigious scholarships valued at $100,000 each.
Gwyn Foster and Matthew Reynolds were among 33 young Canadians selected as 2017 Loran Scholars from an initial pool of more than 4,400 applicants.
The Loran Scholars Foundation uses a rigorous selection process that stresses character, commitment to community service and long-term leadership potential.
Gwyn Foster is studying systems design engineering.
“We believe that integrity, courage, grit and personal autonomy are better indicators of overall potential than standard academic measures,” the foundation said in a news release, noting that each of the winners was interviewed or assessed by up to 12 people over a three-month period.
Foster, who attended high school in Uxbridge, Ontario and is in the systems design engineering program, ran an outdoor leadership camp for 75 young people, and co-organized a rally for girls from Ontario and Nunavut.
Matthew Reynolds is in the mechatronics engineering program.
She also directed a school play, facilitated workshops on leadership, diversity and conflict resolution, held down two part-time jobs, and belonged to the cross-country and mountain biking teams.
Reynolds, a mechatronics engineering student who went to high school in Bolton, Ontario, provided audio-visual technology support for school events, and was a founding member and captain of the FIRST Robotics club.
In addition, he helped plan music events, organized a student-run concert during a school strike, co-ordinated volunteers at athletics meets and worked part-time as a web developer for his school board.
The four-year scholarships include a yearly $10,000 stipend, matching tuition waiver at partner universities, $10,000 in funding for summer internships, mentorship, and annual retreats and scholar gatherings.