The 2007 C.S.T. Foundation Graduate Award Recipients

This year, our Graduate Award Program recognizes 12 outstanding recipients of Education Assistance Payments from the Canadian Scholarship Trust Plan who are pursuing graduate studies. Each award is valued at $15,000 and divided between two students who each receive $7,500 toward their studies. The program was created in 1984 to honour individuals who have had a significant role in the history of the Foundation, and to promote excellence in the pursuit of higher education. This program has paid out more than $1,000,000 in post-graduate awards since inception. Congratulations to this year's recipients!

Peter Wright Award

Gabrielle Arthurs

Beaconsfield, Quebec
Gabrielle graduated from McGill University with a Bachelor of Social Work degree and has been accepted to the University of Nottingham, England to do a Masters in Social Work. While at McGill she volunteered in several Aids Community Cares Centers and was a big sister with the Big Brothers Big Sisters West Island to a 10-year old boy. Gabrielle hopes one day to become a reference source for other practitioners in the city and to advocate for funds to provide free therapy services for victims of sexual assault. She graduated from McGill with great distinction, was on the Dean's Honor List and was awarded the School of Social Work Alumni Award for professional and academic excellence.

Rachel Bigenwald

Toronto, Ontario
Rachel graduated from Queen's University, with a Bachelor of Life Sciences (Honours), and has been accepted to McGill's Faculty of Medicine to follow a MDCM Program. While at Queen's, Rachel volunteered as a health educator on a fly-in Aboriginal reserve in northern Ontario and a big "buddy" for a child with autism. Building on these experiences she founded a new initiative, ChildArts, a Queen's student-run program for elementary school children fostering positive habits by developing interest and skills in the arts. For Rachel's dedication to the academic community and positive representation of Queen's University, she has been honoured with the Arts '50 Scholarship and the National Millennium Excellence in-course Scholarships in 2005 and 2006, awarded for academic excellence in conjunction with leadership innovation and commitment in the Queen's and Kingston communities.

Arthur Pigott Award

Lauren Cumming

Vancouver, British Columbia
Lauren obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from Glendon College York University, Toronto, and will be pursuing a LSE/Sciences Po Double Degree in Carrieres Internationales and International Relations at the London School of Economics.
While at Glendon College, Lauren took the initiative to organize and execute the 12th Annual International Studies Symposium at Glendon College. She was also the recipient of the Harris Steel Entrance Scholarship, the Continuing Student Scholarship and she made the Dean's list each year of her undergraduate studies. Beyond her academics she has participated in charity organizations, student clubs and foreign experiences. She is fluent in three languages: English, French and Spanish.

Adam Garber

Toronto, Ontario
Adam graduated from the University of Western Ontario, with a Bachelor of Arts Honours double major in English and Biology, and is presently following a 4-year Medical program at the Schulich Medical School, University of Western Ontario. In 2001 Adam co-founded Youth for Youth Literacy (YFYL), a registered not-for-profit organization promoting literacy in youth. He also organized an annual fundraising event for two London women's shelters. In 2004 Adam was a volunteer at the Hospital for Sick Children on an eating disorder program. In 2003 he was awarded the Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation Honour Citation and was the recipient of the Huron University College National Scholarship and the Millennium Excellence Award.

Rowland Lloyd Award

Scott Hurton

Winnipeg, Manitoba
Scott graduated from Brandon University, Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science and is following a four-year MD Program at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Alberta. In 2006 Brandon was co-president of the University of Manitoba Medicine Club for one year. He also volunteered at the Simunye AIDS Initiative and co-coordinated a world AIDS day benefit concert. Many of his volunteer activities involve working with youth and seniors, which require patience at times. Whenever time permitted Scott was involved in a number of varsity sports, including volleyball, basketball, baseball and intramural sports. He also volunteered his time as an entertainer (piano, guitar, vocal) at community functions.

Ryan Curtiss Lee

Edmonton, Alberta
Ryan graduated from the University of Alberta, with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and has received entrance to the Texas A&M University, USA to follow a Master of Arts in Maritime Archaeology. Among his many academic achievements, in June 2006 Ryan was involved as a student and funded researcher at the University of Alberta's "Urban Survey at Kastro Kallithea" which gave him training in Architectural and archaeological surveys. In 2006 he received the prestigious R.R. Smith undergraduate research assistantship of the Faculty of Arts of University of Alberta, and the Jason Lang Scholarship. He also helped organize the Ecuador Archaeology Club at Grant MacEwan College and served as President for one year.

Gladys Neale Award

Cassandra R. Rideout

Grand Bank, Newfoundland
Cassandra graduated from Memorial University of Newfoundland with a Biology honours degree and has applied to Dalhousie University to pursue a Doctor of Dental Surgery program. While at Memorial, Cassandra worked as a researcher for a branch of MUN Marine Biology. She also volunteered her time as a conversation partner for the english as a second language program at MUN. She is also a canvasser for the Red Cross and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Additionally, Cassandra was the recipient of the MUN Alumni Scholarship. Outside of her studies, she played on the provincial volleyball team which traveled across Canada to compete. Cassandra was also involved in drama, newspaper and French clubs.

Meaghan Ross

Oshawa, Ontario
Meaghan graduated from McMaster University with a Bachelor of Labour Studies and Social Work Degree and has been accepted to follow a Masters of Social Work program at the same university. In 2005 Meaghan worked with the Good Shepherd Homes Program providing life skills training and counseling for individuals with mental health issues to enable them to live independently in the community. In 2006 she received the Inter-Residence Council Scholarship awarded by the McMaster Inter-Residence Council for demonstration of notable academic achievement and influential leadership in residence life. In the same year she also received the University Senate Scholarship authorized by the University Board of Governors for overall academic excellence.

Ken LeM Carter Award

Jordan B. Leichnitz

London, Ontario
Jordan graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies, and has been accepted to the same University to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Political Studies/Specialization, Women's Studies. Among her many accomplishments, Jordan served as the Manager and Editor-in-Chief for the Caucus, a student-run political opinion magazine. She also participated in a Canadian foreign policy conference run by Queen's University, a national model United Nations competition, and an international conference for youth leaders in Venezuela. In the summer of 2005, Jordan volunteered in fundraisers for the Stephen Lewis Foundation which works to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.

Signa Kristina Love

Rothesay, New Brunswick
Signa graduated from the Acadia University with a Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance and has been accepted to the University of Toronto to pursue a Masters in Vocal Performance/Opera. For three years, she was a member of the Acadia Vocal Ensemble. She was also a member of the Acadia Dance Team which performs at games and sport events. In recognition of her academic standing, she was on the Dean's list in 2006. In an effort to promote peace, anti-poverty and tolerance of diversity and to raise awareness of global issues such as war, violence, hatred and discrimination, Signa has started her own Website: www.holidaywishlist.org In 2006 she was the featured soloist at "Gala Pops Holiday Concert" with the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Signa loves to study languages and has enrolled in beginner and intermediate courses in German and Spanish.

CST Foundation Special Award

Jeffrey Allen Shaw

Richmond Hill, Ontario
Jeffrey graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts degree (Honours double major) and has been accepted to University of Western Ontario to pursue a Masters in Neuroscience. While at college Jeff was the Executive Producer of HUDS which required leadership and organization. He was also co-president of the Huron Philosophy Association. In June 2005 he traveled to Sidbahari, India as a volunteer for the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development (CORD) an NGO supported by CIDA, where he worked as advisor to the rural youth group and developed a research paper on improving integration of disabled children into the school system. Jeff also participated on teams in beach volleyball, water polo and hockey. He was also the leader of coed intramural volleyball team in 2005.

Aaron Tan

Toronto, Ontario
Aaron graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in Engineering Science, Nanoengineering Option and has received entrance to the University of Michigan USA to follow a PhD program in Materials Science & Engineering. While at University, Aaron was an active member of the Nanoclub, a student organization that promotes and publicizes current events in nanotechnology. He also gave a poster presentation at the University's Undergraduate Engineering Conference in August 2006. In the same year he received an Undergraduate Research Award by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). He also served as organist at Grace Presbyterian Church in Port Union, Ontario on a weekly basis which involved directing the choir. In 2004/05 he received a $3000 Barwell Piano Student Scholarship.