Full listing of Awards, Scholarships, & Bursaries

Entrance Scholarship

The Renison Entrance Scholarship recipient with the highest overall admission average above 85% will be designated as the Rev’d Gerald T. Churchill Memorial Entrance Scholarship recipient. This designation is to honour the memory of the Rev’ Gerald T. Churchill, member of the Board of Governors from 1977 to 1987. This award offers an additional $500 to the financial value of the Renison University College Entrance Scholarship.

Note 1

If a student qualifies for a Renison Entrance or Continuing Scholarship, in addition to a bursary or fee remission from the College, the amount of the scholarship will be adjusted so that the total amount awarded shall not exceed the total tuition for the period in which the scholarship is held. 

Note 2

If a student withdraws or otherwise fails to complete the term(s) covered by an award, the award will be prorated.

Note 3

The Board of Governors of Renison University College reserves the right to make changes without notice in the published value and number of entrance scholarships awarded each year.

A Continuing Scholarship valued up to $1000 can be extended into upper years if students who entered Renison with a minimum admission average of 83.0% meet specific conditions

These scholarships are presented annually to a full-time student in each of the first, second and third years of study for outstanding academic performance. They are available to students registered in the Social Development Studies program and to students following an Arts program who have registered through Renison University College.

Fourth Year Honours Scholarships with full tuition benefits are available to students registered at the College who will have completed their 30^th courses.

The China/Renison Scholarship is donated by the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, Ministry of Education, the People’s Republic of China. The scholarship will be awarded annually to two students registered through Renison University College, or the University of Waterloo, whose first language is not taught in the East Asia Studies courses. Applicants should be working towards the Diploma in East Asia Studies and demonstrate excellence in five selected Chinese language, history and culture courses as defined by the undergraduate calendar

Miss Leonora Monk bequeathed this scholarship. It is presented annually to a student graduating from an academic plan of the College for excellence in academic performance over the course of their undergraduate career.

This scholarship is available to a graduating student of the College who registers for theological studies in the Fall term.

Established by Mr. John Yuen, a Renison board member, in honour of his mother-in-law, this scholarship is presented to the full-time Renison registered student with the highest overall average entering his or her third year of university.

Established by Dr. Darrol Bryant, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Renison University College, in memory of his parents, Alex and Debe Bryant.  Open to all Renison-registered full-time students in a BA program who have a minimum overall grade point average of 75% or higher and who can demonstrate financial need.  Applicants are required to provide a one page description of their interest in religious and social issues. A preference will be given to those students who have demonstrated an interest in the relation of religion to social well-being and/or are planning to work to improve society through religion.

The Arthur Brown Award was established by Jim and Margaret Fleck, strong supporters of Renison University College.  This award was established to recognize the dedication and commitment of the Rt. Rev Arthur Brown to Renison University College.  As with the Norma Brown Award, the Arthur Brown Award will also support full-time and/or part-time Bachelor of Social Work students at Renison University College who have active experience in the community service/caregiving area of their community.

College personnel established this award in memory for the first principal of the College, Anelf Wyn Rees (1961-71). The award is presented annually to a student for their all-round contribution to the life of the College during their undergraduate career while maintaining good overall academic standing.

Two awards were established by Bea Abbott, a Renison alumna and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Social Work, to serve as a beacon encouraging students who are interested in pursuing a social work career. These awards are available to an upper-year SDS or full-time BSW student. Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to community service and be involved with a faith community, with preference being given to mature students.

The Bishop Appleyard Award was established in 1985 by the Rt. Rev'd Derwyn Jones, Bishop of Huron, in memory of the Rt. Rev't Harold Appleyard, former area Bishop of Georgian Bay and Chancellor of Renison University College, 1962-1973.

An annual award presented by the College to the student with the highest academic achievement graduating from the Bachelor of Social Work program.

Established by the BSW Class of 2000, and supported by annual fundraising by each BSW class, this award is normally available to a BSW student in good academic standing with a demonstrated record of volunteerism in community social services.

Established by Dr. Darrol Bryant, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Renison University College, in memory of his grandfather Charles Montrose Bryant II. Applicants are required to provide a one page description of their activity in environmental concerns. A preference will be given to those students who have demonstrated an interest in Canadian or International environmental issues.

This award is given in celebration of Social Work Week.  In 2015, Professor Colleen McMillan was named OASW Inspirational Leader in celebration of Social Work Week. Professor McMillan requested the monetary gift she received that year, be given to support a BSW student demonstrating leadership and active involvement within the College. Professor McMillan is generously continuing to personally donate the Colleen McMillan Award to a BSW student who meets the requirements listed above.

This award was established in memory of Mervin G. and Sadie E. Cuthbert and in recognition of the important role that Renison University College has played in the lives of the Cuthbert family members.  The Cuthbert Family International Award is open to Renison-registered students who wish to pursue an international learning experience, (i.e., student exchange, co-op term, service learning, study abroad term, credit course).

M. Darrol Bryant, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Renison University College, University of Waterloo and Susan Hodges Bryant established this award for deserving students registered through Renison University College who are in need of financial assistance in pursuing their university education.

Rev’d Canon David Hartry, former Chaplain and Warden of Renison University College, died on Monday July 9, 2007.  David was an extremely popular and active member of the Renison and Kitchener-Waterloo communities.  He had a great sense of humor and wit, compassion and generosity, and was loved by students, faculty and staff alike.  In that spirit, the annual David Hartry Memorial Award recognizes a student who exhibits those qualities within the Renison University College community.  Selection criteria include positive residence life involvement, demonstrated academic excellence, and financial need.  Note that Dons are allowed to apply for this award.  Award criteria are put forward to the Dons of floors at their regular meeting (early March) for recommendations of suitable students.  The chosen applicants are then asked to complete a budget form (as the award is OSOTF matched), and the budget is passed back to the Scholarship and Award coordinator for academic excellence to be verified by Quest.  Final applications are forwarded to the Scholarship and Award Committee for selection.  Presentation will be made at the Awards Reception in March.

Established by Renison alumni, this award is presented as the Awards Banquet at the end of each academic year to the residence don who through that year has shown the leadership qualities, honesty, and good sense of humour that Debbie exhibited during her years at the College while a resident and don.

This award, created in memory of the late Dick Whitington, a parishioner of St. Aidan’s Anglican Church in Elmira, is given annually to a student who has been accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work at Renison  Social Development Studies student. The candidate must be involved in recent and on-going community service and have their family residence located in the Region of Waterloo.

The Donald and Doris M’Timkulu Award reflects the commitment of both the late Dr. Donald M’Timkulu, a former professor and acting Principal of Renison University College, and Doris M’Timkulu, friend and former Board member of Renison University College, to intercultural understanding and respect for human dignity. The award is offered to SDS or SSW students, in good academic standing, for an intercultural learning experience within Canada or abroad, as an integral part of their studies.

These two awards were established by the family of the late Mr. Carl Dunker, one of the founders of the College, and are granted annually to one male and one female resident student in recognition of their contribution to the life of the College.

The Eva Leflar Foundation established this award of $5,000 to encourage full-time students from Owen Sound and district to pursue and complete a University of Waterloo degree through Renison University College. At the discretion of the College this award may be renewable annually for the duration of the recipient’s course of study.

Rita K. Lee Chui and her husband late, Siu Ting Chui, established this award in memory of her sister, the Reverend Florence Li Tim-Oi, the first ordained woman priest in the Anglican Communion. This award will be granted to a student graduating from the Social Development Studies plan with high academic achievement who has been admitted into the Bachelor of Social Work program. Candidates must have a record of community service, be involved with a faith community, and demonstrate financial need. A preference will be given to candidates who have shown an interest in working with the elderly. The recipient of this award will be known as the Florence Li Tim-Oi Scholar. 

Established by Dr. Darrol Bryant and Professor Susan Bryant in memory of her late father, Howard T. Hodges.  Applicants are required to provide a one page description of their literary interest or how they would work towards a better society.  A preference will be given to those students who have demonstrated an interest in the relations of literature to the improvement of society and who have financial need.  Open to all Renison-registered full-time students in a BA program who have a minimum overall grade point average of 75% or higher and who can demonstrate financial need. 

This award was established in memory of Jeanne Renault, former Director of the Elmira Regional Daycare, who was very involved with the prevention of violence against women and children. This award will be granted to a second, third or fourth year Social Development Studies student who has a special interest in working with children or in the area of family violence.

John Yuen, a former Renison University College board member, created this award in honour of his mentor, John Budden. This award is for a student who is entering year two of a full-time undergraduate program and has completed ten courses whilst showing exemplary leadership and community involvement.

Dr. Linda Snyder, faculty member at Renison University College 2000 – 2012, established this award to support students interested in international learning. It is open to upper-year students in Social Development Studies as well as students in the School of Social Work who have been accepted into an international learning experience as part of their academic program. Applicants must have an overall average of at least 75% and must demonstrate financial need.

An annual award presented by the College to the student with the highest academic achievement graduating from the Master of Social Work program.

The Meghan Reid Memorial Award is offered in memory of a former Renison University College student.  Meghan Reid, whose life was tragically cut short in a motor vehicle accident.  The Meghan Reid Memorial Award is open to full-time SDS students.  The Award is available to a student in any year of study, who is in good academic standing (75% and above) and can demonstrate financial need.  Preference will be given to those students interested in studying or specializing in the study of eating disorders, or other serious social/psychological issues faced by women.

This award was established in memory of Norma Brown, late wife of late Chancellor Emeritus, Bishop Arthur Brown.  As a social worker herself, Norma fully understood the need for educated trained personnel in the profession.  This award is offered to both full-time and part-time students registered in the Bachelor of Social Work and/or Master of Social Work.

Charles and Andrea Bronfman established this award in honour of Peter Swann, founder of our East Asian Studies program.  It is granted annually to an outstanding student working towards the minor or diploma in East Asian Studies who has completed at least six of the eight required courses.

The Paul Jeffrey Mesbur Memorial Award was established by Dr. Ellen Sue Mesbur and Mr. David Mesbur, in loving memory of their son, Paul. As Director of the School of Social Work from 2002 to 2012, Ellen Sue asked that the award be available to social work students and was pleased to endow the award in 2007.  The award was established for BSW and MSW students who have returned to university. It is available to full-time or part-time students

This award is presented at the Spring and Fall convocations to a graduating student in recognition of high academic achievement as an undergraduate student.

This annual award was set up by the Ontario Association of Social Workers in memory of Professor Jim Harris who taught in the Social Work Department at the College from 1976 to 1991. The award is accompanied by a one-year membership in the OASW. It is given to a graduating student in the BSW program for scholastic ability, contribution to community, and general leadership abilities whilst participating in the program.

An annual award presented to the student with the highest academic achievement who is graduating with a significant number of credit from a Renison academic plan.

This award was established by the Social Work Faculty and will be presented annually to a student who has made outstanding contributions, including overall academic excellence, field practicum performance, and contributions to curriculum development to the BSW program.

The Renison Town and Gown Society, a network of active and involved women from the local community, established three awards for students in the full-time SDS or SSW programs, and one award for students registered in the part-time SSW program. It will be given to students who have entered university from non-traditional routes such as community college, previous careers, parenting. Applicants must show a record of community service, and some consideration will be given for financial need.

This bursary was established by the late Rt. Rev’d Morse Robinson, Chancellor of Renison University College (1974-1985) and founding Director of the Renison Institute of Ministry. Preference will be given, in the following order, to children of Anglican clergy, to candidates who intend to pursue postgraduate theological studies, or to single parents.

This bursary was established to assist resident students at Renison University College who are academically registered at either Renison or uW, and can demonstrate financial need.

Renison alumni, Aine Connolly, established this bursary in memory of Diana Bastien George, also alumni of Renison University College. Both registered in Social Development Studies, Diana and Aine met while taking an online course and became friends upon the completion of the term.  

The Diana Bastien George Bursary is available to sole support parents, working parents or mature students completing their undergraduate degree in Social Development Studies or Social Work through online learning. Applicants must be in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need.

This bursary was established by the late Elizabeth Massey Breithaupt, a community leader and founding member of the Renison Town & Gown Society, to assist students registered or resident in Renison University College who are in good academic standing and can demonstrate financial need.

Established by members of the Renison University College faculty to encourage students enrolled in Social Development Studies, other Arts academic plans, or the Bachelor of Social Work program. The Faculty Endowment Bursary recognizes students who are in good academic standing and can demonstrate financial need.

Established by Mr. Harold Winterburn in honour of his daughter-in-law, Judy T. Winterburn, this annual bursary is available to a sole support parent, registered in full-time or part-time studies at Renison University College, who is in good academic standing and can demonstrate financial need.

Established by Mr. Harold Winterburn, in memory of his father, Mr. Luke Winterburn, this bursary is intended to encourage and assist students with a “B” average who are experiencing financial difficulties.

This bursary established by the Maycourt Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, a volunteer organization that provides  volunteer and financial assistance to the community, encourages and assists a BSW student who is in good academic standing and can demonstrate financial need.

Miss Hanselman was a long-term financial donor and interested patron of Renison University College, who willed her estate to Renison University College for the purpose of a bursary to be set up in her memory. A number of bursaries are available each term with first preference given to residents of Brant County. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, have completed at least five courses at the time of application, and be enrolled in at least two courses in the term for which application is made.

These awards were set up by alumni, faculty, friends and staff of the College with matching funds from the Government of Ontario. A number of bursaries are offered each term to students who are in good academic standing and can demonstrate financial need. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or Landed Immigrants and able to prove twelve months prior residency in Ontario.

Established by the Renison Academic Student Council, this annual bursary is available to a student who is an active volunteer with the College or University community. Candidates must have a minimum grade average of 70% and demonstrate financial need.

The Rollo/Hunt Bursary was established by Mr. Harold Winterburn in honour of this daughter, Susan Rollo, and his son-in-law, James Hunt to support Students registered in the BSW or MSW program.

Renison University College is an affiliated Anglican College of the University of Waterloo.  Since its founding in 1959, Renison has dedicated itself to encouraging students to excel academically and to develop a commitment to service to the community, Canada and the worldwide community.  

The St. Lazarus Bursary will be granted to a student who has shown an active interest in ecumenism, has been involved in ecumenical activities and can demonstrate financial need.

This bursary was established by graduating classes of Renison University College to assist Renison registered students who are entering their 2^nd year of university, taking a minimum of 3 courses at Renison and can demonstrate financial need.

Three prizes will be awarded annually to Renison students submitting the best term papers as fulfillment of the regular requirements of a first-year and an upper-year College course.

A gift certificate is presented to a graduating student at Convocation for excellent academic achievement.

The Chartwells Scholarship is available to Renison resident students who are part of the Warrior Academic Leadership Community. A total of $5000 shall be disbursed as follows:  The student with the highest overall term average (based on a minimum of four courses) shall be awarded up to $3000.  

The student with the second-highest overall term average shall be awarded up to $2000.  If, for any reason, the full amount cannot be disbursed to these two students, the remainder shall be awarded to the student with the third-highest overall term average. This scholarship will be presented at the Awards Dinner which is last College dinner of the academic year.