[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/millennium_scholars_06.jpg” caption=”A group of McMaster’s Canada Millennium Scholars pose for a photo at last night’s event. Photo credit: Deborah McIvor”]Third-year arts & science student Jonade Naeem has come to understand the demands of meeting personal, academic and community needs encountered in the pursuit of personal excellence and leadership.

“Part of the importance I think, in building a community, in achieving personal excellence, in being a citizen, is to first define what those words mean to you in terms of your identity,” Naeem suggests. “Instead of working hard in being a student, in being a leader, in being a millennium scholar, I try to work hard on just being.”

Naeem is one of 100 McMaster students to receive a Millennium Excellence Award in recognition of both extracurricular involvement and academic success. Within this group of outstanding students, 22 are in-course award winners and 32 are entrance award winners (for September 2005) with another 46 renewals for students who demonstrated excellence in their McMaster studies and met retention terms. In-course awards are given to students who have already completed their second year of post-secondary studies.

The Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation recognizes Canadian students for their community involvement, their ability to lead and motivate others, their interest in innovation and their academic achievement. McMaster recognized its Millennium Scholars with an afternoon reception Tuesday, Jan. 24 in Celebration Hall.

President Peter George congratulated the students on their success. “These excellence awards represent both an investment in the future of our country and a way of recognizing some truly exceptional Canadian students who are committed to turning visionary ideas into reality,” said George.

The McMaster chapter of Canada Millennium Scholars is an example of how these exceptional students participate in projects to help bring ideas to life and who believe in giving back to the community. They have undertaken recent projects such as planning the Southwestern Ontario Regional Millennium Scholarship Conference in November, a knitting project for Living Rock Ministries that provided homeless and street-involved youth with winter accessories, high school conferences and various group volunteering opportunities.

Julie Impey, co-coordinator of the student chapter, describes the group as “a support network between Millennium laureates that provides opportunities to be involved in the community and learn about local issues, as well as enjoy the company of like-minded people. The projects of the chapter are selected based on the interest of the group, and we are always looking for new faces to join us.”

Balancing community contribution with academic achievement is no small feat; however, these scholars find multi-tasking a regular part of life. Faizal Haji, who has just entered medicine from the Bachelor of Health Sciences program, is known on campus for his involvement with the Inter-Residence Council, Golden Key Honour Society, as Chair of the Association of CMSF Scholars and as team captain of the Partnership Walk for Charity.

Faizal admits there are challenges with extra-curricular activity. “It's very hard to juggle having so many commitments and more so, staying on top of all of them. However, without this challenge there can be no reward or learning. There are certain things that no amount of class work can teach you about life.”