This year's finalists for the McCall MacBain Scholarships count three students and one alumni from the Faculty of Arts. The McCall MacBain Scholarship is the largest leadership-based scholarships for master's and professional studies.Ìý
Jean Kagame (BSW'19), Félix Lévesque (MA'24), Matthew Molinaro (BA'24), and Isaac Weber (BA'24), are among 91 global finalists for the prestigious scholarships. Each finalist is chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curriosity.Ìý
Find our more about this year's finalists:
Jean Kagame (BSW’19) is a social worker for CISSS de la Côte-Nord, an integrated health and social services centre. He previously worked for the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, in northern Quebec, where he lived for three years. He volunteers as a personal support worker for the elderly and co-leads a social enterprise producing and purifying water for rural communities in Malawi. During his undergraduate studies at Â鶹ԼÅÄ as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Jean organized an annual commemoration of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and led the African students’ society. He also led an intramural volleyball team. Jean has been admitted to law school at Â鶹ԼÅÄ, and hopes to pursue a career promoting human rights and legal inclusion in East Africa.
“Being chosen as a finalist for the McCall MacBain Scholarship is an incredible honour. So far this journey has helped me to reflect on and rethink my goals," says Kagame.Ìý
Félix Lévesque (MA’24) is currently completing a thesis-based master’s degree in political science. He volunteers by helping high school students with their schoolwork. During his undergraduate studies at Université Laval, Félix organized school success activities and represented his cohort as part of the political science student association. He also participated in two competitions of Jeux de la science politique. Félix is applying to law school.
« Je me considère privilégié d’avoir toujours pu bénéficier du soutien de mes proches dans mon parcours académique. Tous n’ont cependant pas cette chance. Mon bénévolat dans des organismes qui offrent du soutien scolaire me permet d’exprimer ma gratitude et d’offrir à d’autres jeunes la chance que j’ai eue. »
Matthew Molinaro (BA’24), from Oakville, is an English literature student and the Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune, an independent student newspaper at Â鶹ԼÅÄ. To combat racism, he initiated an overhaul of workplace equity and conduct policies and worked to diversify participation at the newspaper’s annual conference. He also served as senior editor of a political studies journal for two years, helped run the Black Students Network, and advocated for hiring more Black professors as an undergraduate student representative. Last summer, Matthew designed and taught part of a course, focusing on novels written by Toni Morrison. He would like to pursue a master’s degree as part of his work to tell Black Canadian history and teach African American and Caribbean literature.
“I hope to further explore the relationship between the arts and Black liberation movements in my research. In doing so, I am excited to apply my organizing and journalism experience to my academic work. As a TA, I would love to teach, collaborate with, and mentor undergrads," says Molinaro.Ìý
Isaac Weber (BA’24) is majoring in history, with a minor in political science. He leads the men’s volleyball team, after three years of involvement, and helps run the Anishinaabemowin language study group on campus. During the summers, Isaac led swimming and boating activities at a Mennonite children’s summer camp. He supervised lifeguards and led a two-week leadership training program for campers. Isaac also worked as a general labourer for a local family-owned/operated greenhouse. He is applying for a Master of Arts in History at Â鶹ԼÅÄ.
“Being chosen as a finalist for the McCall MacBain scholarship is a great honour. Knowing that those who reviewed my application and interviewed me believed in my abilities and potential to make a positive impact in the world is extremely encouraging and motivating," says Weber.Ìý
Regional Award
Another Faculty of Arts student was among the top candidates in the McCall MacBain Scholarships selection process. Katie Pallett-Wiesel (BA’24), majoring in psychology and behavioural science, earned a $5,000 McCall MacBain Regional Award. She works part-time as the youth mental health coordinator for the Table de concertation jeunesse Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, collaborating with organizations within the community. Katie also volunteers as a research assistant at the Â鶹ԼÅÄ Infant Development Centre. Previously, she wrote for an international affairs journal, mentored a student, and worked as a lifeguard. She is interested in speech-language therapy or occupational therapy as possible career options.
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