This fall, 50 students are making history as the first cohort of the new Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement.

They’ll be the first students working towards Canada’s only Combined Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership and Civic Studies, alongside another subject from the faculties of Humanities or Social Sciences.

At a welcome event last week, the Wilson College students were warmly welcomed by university leadership, including Dean of Humanities Pamela Swett, who said she couldn’t wait to see what this cohort achieves.

“These students are writing the opening lines of a new chapter in McMaster’s history,” said Swett.

“We’re delighted to welcome them to campus, and I have no doubt they will leave their marks as thoughtful, creative leaders across Canada and beyond.”

Working from a foundation in the liberal arts, the degree program focuses on ethics, responsibility and service, helping students develop the historical context and societal awareness that are the hallmarks of truly great civic and community leaders.

Students will graduate with a Combined Honours Bachelor of Arts in Leadership & Civic Studies and Another Subject. The choice of second major from Social Sciences or Humanities means the inaugural cohort is made up of diverse, bright young leaders, with backgrounds all throughout the arts.

And the students are already demonstrating the leadership characteristics that the college hopes to nurture.

For first-year students like Alex Wilson-Zegil (no relation to Wilson College’s namesake, L.R. Wilson), it means the opportunity to shape the culture of the college and support future cohorts.

“The reason I chose this program is that, because it’s new, there’s the opportunity to shape it into something that future students can really benefit from,” said Wilson-Zegil. “I’m so excited.”

Wilson College of Leadership and Civic Engagement was made possible by a $50-million gift in 2022 from Chancellor Emeritus Lynton “Red” Wilson and the Wilson Foundation.

The gift, single biggest gift to the liberal arts in Canada, demonstrated Wilson’s commitment both to McMaster University and to developing the next generation of Canadian leaders.

In a message to the incoming students, Wilson said they would play a crucial role in shaping Canada’s future.

“My inspiration in supporting McMaster with the creation of Wilson College,” he said, “stems from my deep conviction that Canada, now more than ever, needs dedicated, thoughtful leaders who can see beyond the immediate challenges, work across complex differences and strengthen the very foundation of our society.”