Dalhousie welcomes six new Schulich Leaders this fall.
Three engineering students will receive $120,000, while two computer science students and one science student will receive $100,000.
The Schulich Leader Scholarship is among the most generous of its kind in Canada, offering exceptional new students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs the opportunity to explore their academic passions and elevate their entrepreneurial ambitions free from financial pressures.
The scholarship, awarded to students at 20 Canadian partner universities each year, allows recipients the chance to work alongside like-minded students who are devoted to exploring new frontiers in STEM.
Find out more about what drives Dal’s newest Schulich Leaders below:
Liam Legge (Mount Pearl, N.L.)
Why did you choose your program of study and what excites you most about it?
I chose to do engineering because of my interest in finding out how different machines and mechanisms work. I like to think of everything — as simple as a hammer to a supercomputer — as a puzzle. Deconstructing it, you can find out how each part of the object works, why it's important, and, most importantly, how it can or can't be improved.
What drew you to Dal?
Dal was a school close to my home province. My plan was actually to go to Memorial University of Newfoundland, but I also wanted another choice in the chance that there would be a better opportunity for me. Fortunately, there was a better opportunity, and I took it.
What are you most looking forward to about being on campus?
I'm mostly looking forward to being my own person. I get to choose everything that I do, which seems daunting, but I've learned a lot in the past 18 years of living and would like to put my life skills to use. I heard the computer labs were pretty cool as well.
Who or what inspires you?
My father has always been my inspiration. I decided that I wanted to study engineering at the age of 12 when my father told me what he did for a job. He was a mechanical technologist, but also he could practically fix anything around the house and even make new things out of almost nothing. To me, it seemed that an engineering degree must give a person amazing abilities to problem solve and that really drew me in.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Same as question four. My father. Not only did he work full time to support the family, but he also had time to cook for us and took the time to get me to and from my robotics club meeting. I also have an admiration for Mark Rober. He makes fun stuff using basic engineering principles and teaches people to use those principles themselves.
Xander Brown (Beaver Bank, N.S.)
Why did you choose your program of study and what excites you most about it?
I was inspired to study computer science after competing in a robotics competition. Learning to program and build a robot showed me a glimpse of what computer science had to offer. I am excited to work with others and learn all that computer science has to offer.
What drew you to Dal?
The first thing that drew my attention to Dalhousie was hearing so many positive recommendations from current and former computer science students. Because of this I attended a Dalhousie computer science preview night and met ambassadors, faculty, and future students. They all contributed to my decision to apply to Dal.
What are you most looking forward to about being on campus?
I have decided to live in Dalhousie residence. I am very excited about the independence and different opportunities that university life will bring as well as meeting and getting to know other students.
Who or what inspires you?
Over the years, I have had many coaches who have guided me to navigate life. They have introduced me to new experiences and knowledge. This has been a great inspiration to always pursue my interests. I aspire to one day affect people's lives the way they have affected mine.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
I admire one of my teachers I had in high school because of their natural ability to explain concepts in many different ways with ease so that everyone could understand. Not only did they always give 100 per cent in the classroom, but found a way to keep up with their own personal sports and interests. They also contributed to school life by volunteering. I aspire to one day be able to give 100 per cent to my profession and not only keep up with my interests but inspire others to pursue theirs.
Matt Gentleman (Halifax, N.S.)
Why did you choose your program of study and what excites you most about it?
I chose engineering because most things around us have been designed by engineers; everything from the buildings we live in, the cars we drive, and the roads we drive on. I believe that engineers have a responsibility to push the limits of what's possible every day, and my desire to contribute to that is one of the things that excites me most.
What drew you to Dal?
Dal is close to home for me. It's in the city I grew up in so that's a major bonus that I'm not too far from friends and family. I also of course heard of absolutely glowing reviews of campus life, extracurricular activities and ultimately great education. So many of my friends at school are going to Dal and so many of my friends are already here.
What are you most looking forward to about being on campus?
I am most looking forward to meeting new people and doing new things. I think that the most important thing in a person's life is the friends they made along the way. However corny that might be, I think it holds true. What would life be without your loved ones? Who would you celebrate with? Who would you share your life with? I also am looking forward to participating in extracurricular activities like sports and clubs, which I have heard so much about.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by an ever-growing understanding of the world around us. Every day it seems like something starts to make more sense than it did the day before. Like one piece of the puzzle that is the vast and complex universe seems to fall into its place. Today we might not have a fantastic understanding of the nature of the universe but we can only hope and strive for a better understanding tomorrow.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
It's hard for me to pinpoint one person who I most admire, but someone who I have always had a great appreciation for is Michael Jordan. Not because I’m remotely good at basketball or anything, but just the undying winning spirit that he embodied throughout his career. If he was sick, he played. If his team needed him, he was there. If you insulted him, he would give you 40 points. He always showed up in big moments and was never scared of bright lights, and I think that's what I admire most about him.
Layla Owens (Bedford, N.S.)
Why did you choose your program of study and what excites you most about it?
I chose to study science at Dalhousie as I was one of 80 students accepted into the Dalhousie Integrated Science Program (DISP). This first-year program provides an enriched science experience with an emphasis on integration across the sciences. I had heard wonderful things about the program; building relationships with professors as a result of the small class sizes, hands-on experiences in the laboratory and field trips. I am most excited about conducting an independent research project in the first year of my undergraduate program and presenting the research findings.
What drew you to Dal?
I was drawn to Dalhousie University because of the Emera IdeaHUB’s Young Innovators Program. As one of the only physical product incubators in Atlantic Canada, it was an ideal place for me to develop the prototype for my innovative concept, ‘Submergency!’. In 2019, I became the youngest member of Dalhousie University’s Emera IdeaHUB’s Young Innovators Program and I was very grateful for the opportunity for mentorship at just 14 years of age.
I am looking forward to continuing to develop ‘Submergency!’ during my undergraduate degree.
What are you most looking forward to about being on campus?
I am looking forward to being part of many clubs and societies at Dalhousie, particularly the Dalhousie Dance Society, which holds dance classes for students at Dal. Dance has been both my creative and athletic outlet since I was two years old, so being able to continue dancing at Dal is very important to me.
I also plan to audition for the Dalhousie Black and Gold Dance Team and hope to continue being able to dance competitively.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by the people that surround me, whether those are the students I teach at Maritime Dance Academy who are driven and passionate about dance or my friends and family who are high achievers and problem solvers like myself. Part of the reason I am so honoured to be a Schulich Leader is because the entire network represents these qualities.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
One of the people I admire is Dr. Roberta Bondar; the first Canadian woman to travel into space. As a neurologist, researcher and astronaut, she was and still is a pioneer for women in STEM fields. Pioneers like her beat down doors, so future girls and women like myself could dream to have opportunities in science fields. One day, I hope to be able to support the dreams of young women entering male-dominated fields through funding and creating programs like the Dr. Roberta Bondar STEM Career Development Program.
Saul Hafting (Annapolis Royal, N.S.)
Why did you choose your program of study and what excites you most about it?
I chose Computer Science because I have always loved robotics and computers. I have been competing in robotics competitions since I was in grade 5, and I love to challenge myself to learn new things. Computer Science is a rapidly growing field that has endless applications. This is very exciting because it means that a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science will open many doors for me when I have completed it.
What drew you to Dal?
Dalhousie is located in the heart of Halifax, giving me access to a wide variety of opportunities and activities that were not easily available to me when I was growing up in a small rural town. For me, it is the perfect distance away from home to still be close to family, but at the same time be independent. The Computer Science program is world class!
What are you most looking forward to about being on campus?
I am looking forward to the social interaction that the campus offers. I am excited to meet new like-minded people who share the same interests as me. As well as participate in all the extracurricular activities Dalhousie has to offer. The Dalplex is another thing I am looking forward to. I am hugely into fitness and powerlifting. Having a state-of-the-art facility a minute's walk away is going to be very nice.
Who or what inspires you?
I am inspired by the teachers and mentors I have had through the years growing up in Annapolis Royal. They have always taken time out of their days to help me in all the things I do. None of the things I have done would be possible without the help that so many people in my community have given me.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
Sam Altman is a computer scientist who has been involved in many high-profile tech companies. The most notable one is the CEO of OpenAI, the company that started ChatGPT. In the past year, ChatGPT has been at the forefront of AI and has shown everyone how good AI is getting. AI is very interesting to me, and I am excited to see where it goes as I start my computer science degree.
Jack Brown (Fall River, N.S.)
Why did you choose your program of study and what excites you most about it?
Engineering is, at its core, humanity’s scientific approach to problem solving. Whether it is an existing technology ready to be adapted or a cutting edge innovation yet to be leveraged, I find humanity’s ingenious process of discovery, research and development the most exciting phenomenon of our time. I chose engineering because I’m excited to be part of this system that has evolved over centuries and will continue to advance and benefit humanity.
What drew you to Dal?
Dalhousie is close to what’s dear and important to me: the beautiful province of Nova Scotia, the Atlantic, and a focus on the future. Dalhousie is held in high regard for its research and its scholars who make significant contributions in their respective fields. It is my intention not only to learn the basics of engineering, but to contribute to this community of motivated individuals.
What are you most looking forward to about being on campus?
I’m intrigued by being immersed in my studies as well as getting to know people on campus with diverse backgrounds and experiences. With an engineering class of this size and so many similarly interested students all working towards the same goal, there will be abundant opportunities for insightful conversation, unique feedback and valuable interactions. What I’m most looking forward to is knowing that inspiration is only a lunch-table conversation away.
Who or what inspires you?
Our resourcefulness and opportunism in the interest of good is what inspires me above all else. When some development is made in any scientific sphere, the instinct of so many is to leverage this novelty to help as many as can be helped. When an energy positive fusion reaction was achieved in December of 2022, the immediate thought first and foremost was: “How can this be used to save our planet?” This shows a selflessness in our species I believe overcomes obstacles, which would otherwise conquer a divided humanity.
Which living person do you most admire and why?
I most admire my father. He taught me to be the man I am now not through instruction, but through example. He takes care in what he does, never cutting corners nor sacrificing his integrity to expedite reward. He models qualities I admire such as dignity, respect, compassion and fortitude. A man of unwavering strength whose curiosity and interests I must credit for my own interest in science. My father is of a moral character I can only hope to adopt some day.
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