McMaster graduate Stephanie Kay has been named a finalist for the inaugural McCall MacBain Scholarships, Canada’s first comprehensive leadership-based scholarship for master’s and professional studies.

The scholarship enables students to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University while connecting with mentors and participating in an intensive leadership development program.

Kay, who graduate with a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree in 2020, will join 49 Canadian peers from 28 universities at virtual final interviews next week with Canadian leaders from academia, business, government and the social sector.

Up to 20 McCall MacBain Scholars will be chosen after final interviews.

As a health sciences student at McMaster, Kay managed a team of 75 students to organize a welcome week for new students. She helped run the Women and Gender Equity Network, a resource centre for women, trans folk, and gender non-confirming folk on campus, and an annual charity musical show. Since 2017, she has served as chair of the board of directors of a non-profit choral group in her hometown of Mississauga.

During her studies, Kay worked part-time for the McMaster Students Union. She now runs her own freelance graphic design and photography business and is applying for the BCL/JD law program at McGill.

About the scholarship

More than 735 people applied for the McCall MacBain Scholarships this year, and 132 participated in regional interviews with local leaders in November before the 50 finalists were selected.

Finalists were chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.

“There is no typical McCall MacBain Scholar,” said Natasha Sawh, Dean of the McCall MacBain Scholarships. “We look for potential in students from all walks of life, with different academic and volunteer interests. What unites them is the inner drive to learn, lead, and make a positive impact in other people’s lives.”

Finalists who are not selected as McCall MacBain Scholars will be eligible for a $10,000 entrance award for their studies at McGill University.

This year, the McCall MacBain Scholarships program also granted 28 awards of $5,000 each to promising candidates who distinguished themselves at regional interviews. One student from McMaster University was offered a regional award for graduate studies at any public university in Canada.

The scholarships are the result of the 2019 landmark gift of $200 million (Canadian), the single-largest gift in Canadian history at that time, by John and Marcy McCall MacBain. The McCall MacBain Scholarships will expand internationally over the next decade, with nearly 300 McCall MacBain Scholars selected by 2030.