McMaster is welcoming a record number of Loran Scholars this year, with seven award recipients choosing to study at McMaster.

Georgia Campbell, Tin Dao, Jack Gillies, Mahum Khawaja, Avery Parkinson, Emma Patchett and Hannah Prins were among the 36 high school graduates selected from over 5,100 applicants across Canada.

Valued at $100,000 over four years, Loran scholarships are awarded to students who, through a rigorous selection process, demonstrate strength of character, a deep commitment to service, evidence of courage and compassion, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

The four-year program is designed to give scholars critical leadership skills through opportunities like summer employment, mentorship and being part of a community of purpose-driven peers.

Meet McMaster’s seven new Loran Scholars:

Georgia Campbell

Georgia Campbell is studying Integrated Biomedical Engineering & Health Sciences. The track and field athlete and competitive dancer says she decided to attend McMaster, “due to its collaborative environment and the unique, integrated programs it offers.” The president and founder of a STEM empowerment group at her Rosslyn, Ontario high school, Campbell also co-directed Caring Cards — a holiday card service that distributed hand-written cards to long-term care residents.

Tin Dao

When not competing on his Surrey, B.C. high-school’s swim, kabbadi or wrestling teams, Tin Dao spent time helping with fundraising initiatives, or volunteering as a tutor and wrestling coach. “Being a Loran scholar means something bigger than me,” says Dao, who is studying business. “I hope it shows others in my community that you don’t need to come from the best schools or most affluent communities to succeed, you just need to try your best.”

Jack Gillies

Jack Gillies, who is pursuing an Arts & Science degree, says he is “so excited to create new experiences and learn in a community of people who are passionate about a wide range of studies, ideas and values.” The former camp lifeguard and ski coach led a variety of extracurricular activities including his high school’s student senate and debate clubs, and has been involved with service clubs and a local organization for teenage volunteers in his hometown of Mono, Ontario.

Mahum Khawaja

Mahum Khawaja says she is excited to “meet like-minded people in a very multicultural campus,” during her time studying health sciences at McMaster. While in high school, the Whitby, Ontario native and fan of motorcycling led STEM and coding workshops for youth, co-founded a website where she taught coding to students internationally and organized workshops and fundraisers for several student clubs.

Avery Parkinson

Avery Parkinson, a gold medalist at the Canada-Wide Science Fair, says she chose McMaster, “not only for the quality of its engineering program, but for the extracurriculars and co-op program that will allow me to extend my learning beyond the classroom to practical, holistic applications.” Parkinson served as a caregiver at a home for adults with developmental challenges and is the founder of the National Sandwich Making Initiative, a project that encourages youth groups across the country to make sandwiches supporting local emergency shelters.

Emma Patchett

Emma Patchett was actively involved in her Petrolia, Ontario high school, serving on the Athletic Association and school board Student Senate, competing on multiple sports teams and playing in school bands. Patchett chose to study iBioMed at McMaster after being “intrigued by the design projects and the teamwork aspect of some of the classes” while also hearing about “positive experiences on both personal and professional levels” from students.

Hannah Prins

Hannah Prins has spent much of her time supporting children in her community, from founding an academic mentorship program, to creating an after school program to promote physical activity, to volunteering as a camp counsellor and children’s dance instructor. The Mississauga native will be studying Health Sciences and is excited her courses will allow her to  “develop skills and gain valuable experiences in health care.”

Learn more about past and current Loran Scholars, and the foundation, here.