July 6, 2015
Seymour Schulich: Supporting the next generation of Waterloo innovators
Every year ambitious STEM students at the University of Waterloo receive prestigious Schulich Leader Scholarships
Seymour Schulich likes to tell a story about the most important $1,600 of his life.
The money came to him in 1963 in the form of a scholarship to McGill University’s fledgling MBA program. Schulich’s undergraduate career— first in engineering, then in chemistry—had not been particularly distinguished, so he was pleasantly surprised when McGill offered him a $1,600 scholarship to come back for an MBA.
Famously, he used his already well-developed investment smarts to transform that $1,600 into $5,000. It was enough to cover school expenses and allowed the young Schulich to spend three months travelling Europe, fuelling the personal growth that eventually led to his becoming one of Canada’s best-known entrepreneurs and philanthropists. The Schulich name adorns some of the most prestigious educational faculties in the world, including schools of business, music, medicine, dentistry, chemistry and more.
Schulich scholarships for science, technology, engineering and math
Today, Schulich’s philanthropic passion is helping other young people get a start in life through education. In 2011, Schulich launched a scholarship program with a $100 million vision — to encourage leadership, innovation and expertise in the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
The Schulich Leader Scholarships provide $80,000 over four years to new undergraduate engineering students, and $60,000 to those entering science, technology or mathematics at one of 20 participating Canadian universities. Nationally, 50 scholarships are awarded each year, and recipients are chosen based on considerations including academic excellence, leadership skills and financial need.
Last year, the University of Waterloo’s two Schulich Leaders were Amanda Rampertab from Oakville, Ontario and Emily Pass, of Charlottetown, PEI. Rampertab is pursuing mechatronics engineering and was selected for her outstanding admission average of 95.2 per cent and her strong leadership in school and community activities. Pass is studying physics and astronomy, and received the award based on her outstanding admission average of 98.5 per cent; her leadership in school life and her strong interest and talent for entrepreneurship.
The University of Waterloo will announce the Schulich Leader Scholarship winners for the 2015/2016 academic in August.
Learn how supporting Waterloo makes a difference in the 2014-2015 Report on Giving.
