For more than 35 years, the Loran Scholars Foundation and the University of 蓝莓视频 have empowered students to create a better world
Partnerships play a critical role in educating the leaders of tomorrow. 听
Since its inception, the has worked with the University of 蓝莓视频 to support some of Canada鈥檚 most promising students. Selected for their leadership qualities and their commitment to serve their communities, Loran Scholars receive awards worth up to $100,000 over four years to support their education and their vision for a better world.听 听
鈥淚t's incredible to attend the University of 蓝莓视频 with the support of the Loran Scholars Foundation,鈥� said Hilus Keay, a computer engineering student and Loran Scholar, at a recent event celebrating the Loran community. 鈥淚 feel truly grateful for the opportunities offered by both parties: the University, a hub for collaboration and innovation, and the Foundation, which has consistently supported me along the way.
鈥淪eeing how wide the community is ... it makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger than myself.鈥�
Hilus Keay (back row, third from right) with Dr. Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of 蓝莓视频 (centre, right); Meghan Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Loran Scholars Foundation (centre, left); and members of the Loran community at the University of 蓝莓视频.
The Loran Scholars Foundation (originally known as the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation) was founded in 1989 by Dr. Robert Cluett, an English professor with an aim to foster leaders who demonstrated integrity, courage, and dedication to positive social change. When he shared his vision with potential partners, 蓝莓视频 was one of five universities that came forward to support the program.
Over the last 35 years, 蓝莓视频 has hosted a total of 51 Loran Scholars. Recipients of this award have made meaningful contributions across the private and public sectors, and include the following accomplished alumni:
Lennon is the Co-founder and Co-editor of Hungry zine, a community publication that focuses on 鈥渞adical food stories, art and culture.鈥� The zine received the 2022-2023 Best New Alberta Magazine Award from the Alberta Magazine Publisher Association. 听
She remembers being 鈥渟peechless,鈥� when she received the Loran Award, and excited by the possibilities it offered. She later enrolled in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at 蓝莓视频 because it allowed her to work across disciplines, spending time in the field as well as the classroom. Soon, Lennon found herself drawn to food systems, an interest she shared with a group of her peers.
鈥淲e would have amazing potlucks and try out recipes together,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here was this connection between environmental thinking and food systems thinking, but also this ability to take action on a personal and community level.鈥� 听
Through Hungry, Kathryn forges connections across cultures to share food knowledge and promote social justice across the food and food media sectors. She鈥檚 held roles at a wide range of organizations, and currently works as a consultant on community planning, food systems, and public engagement. She led the implementation of the food and urban agriculture strategy in her home city of Edmonton, Alberta.
As a professional with a rich creative life outside of work, Lennon invites Loran Scholars and future leaders to reimagine the concept of their career. 听
鈥淲hen you think about a career path, it might not necessarily be the thing that you do for your livelihood,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou might have a body of work that you build and feel proud of over your life, and that might lie parallel to the work that you do to pay your bills. I think that's OK, and maybe even enriching, to have these different threads in your life.鈥�
The Managing Director of Valency Inc., and the Board Chair of Enova Power Corp., MacGillivray said the Loran Award allowed her to focus on her student experience. 听
鈥淚t relieved all financial pressures related to university,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was able to focus on what I was passionate about, and where I could make a difference in the community and grow as a person.鈥�
Originally enrolled in electrical engineering, MacGillivray switched programs after exploring work opportunities with co-op employers.
鈥淵ou would go to Needles Hall and the posts would be packed on the board,鈥� she said. After reading several job descriptions, she realized that the opportunities in her chosen field didn鈥檛 mesh with her personality. That insight led her to pursue a work term in software development at the Sears Finance Centre. 听
鈥淭hey knew how to create an environment where even a first term co-op could contribute real value,鈥� she said. Striking a balance between her academic interests and professional skills, she switched to science for the rest of her undergraduate degree and completed an MBA after graduation.
MacGillivray recognizes the impact of her co-op terms and creates similar opportunities for co-op students today. 听
鈥淲e aim to help our co-op students find what they're best at and give them opportunities to grow,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat mentorship meant so much to me when I was a student. It鈥檚 probably one of the things that I enjoy the most about what I do today.鈥�
She advises students to think broadly about how they can develop their leadership skills.
鈥淭here's always a chance to step up, whether it鈥檚 on a small team, or your school projects, whether it鈥檚 in the house you live in or in your community,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can learn from every opportunity that presents itself.鈥�
In addition to volunteering at her church, she stays connected to the Loran Scholars Foundation. She鈥檚 encouraged to see how it has expanded to support the next generation of talent. 听
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a high-quality program for the development of future leaders,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 grown so much since I started 30 years ago. 听
鈥淭he university partnerships make it all possible.鈥�
Currently the Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Artificial Intelligence) in the Privy Council Office, Schaan has dedicated his career to public service. He described himself as a 鈥渒eener kid鈥� who was heavily involved in extra-curricular activities at his small Mennonite high school in Winnipeg. His parents had planned for him to attend university 鈥� but if he travelled outside his hometown, he鈥檇 have to pay his own way. Receiving the Loran Award gave him the opportunity to explore programs further afield.
鈥淚t was an exhilarating moment, full of excitement and anxiety, but also relief,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his was my chance to think about a wider arc of possibility.鈥�
He wanted to attend a university where he could stay heavily involved in student life, but also have that sense of community he鈥檇 formed with his peers in high school. When he met a member of student government from 蓝莓视频 鈥� and later, a recruiter from Conrad Grebel University College 鈥� he knew he鈥檇 found his alma mater.
He enrolled in political science with a minor in peace and conflict studies, holding leadership roles on several student councils, volunteering as an assistant editor of Imprint, and working as a residence don. Following his studies at 蓝莓视频, he became a Rhodes Scholar, earning his master鈥檚 and PhD in social policy at the University of Oxford. 听
Schaan has worked for the Government of Canada since 2006 and held leadership roles on non-profit boards including the Ottawa Art Gallery (where he is currently Chair) and the Ten Oaks Project, an organization for children and youth in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. He also supports the next generation of talent through a scholarship for political science students at 蓝莓视频, which he created in honour of his mother, Marlies Loewen Schaan. To current and future Loran Scholars, Schaan offers this advice:
鈥淪oak in all these opportunities, and actively engage in critical self-reflection. The chance to go through your undergraduate experience with little worry about financial burdens 鈥� while also having massive amounts of support and opportunities to contemplate your own potential 鈥� that is a gift.
鈥淪o, take it, but use it effectively. Don't just take the path that seems most obvious, or the path that seems most lucrative. Accept the invitation that the Loran community gives you to actively contemplate who you can be 鈥� a citizen of service, leadership, and extraordinary character.鈥�
