Schmeelk Foundation announces the winners of the Richard J. Schmeelk Canada Foundation Fellowships for 2017-2018

MONTREAL, Sept. 28, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Schmeelk Canada Foundation announced today this year's winners of the prestigious Fellowships awarded by the Richard J. Schmeelk Canada Foundation. The fellowships are offered to Canadian students with a bachelor's degree who wish to pursue graduate studies in the other official language of Canada in another Canadian province.

Through its university partners— the University of Western Ontario, University of Calgary, Université Laval and Université de Montréal, the Schmeelk Canada Foundation offers recipients a unique opportunity to expand their network and pursue diverse national projects.

Every year, the Schmeelk Canada Foundation awards its fellowship recipients $10,000 per term, renewable for a maximum of $40,000.

The following four (4) students have been awarded a 2017-2018 scholarship from the Schmeelk Canada Foundation:

- Richard J. Schmeelk Scholarship

Terence Blaskovits of Dawson Creek, British Columbia will complete his Masters of Polymer Chemistry and Computational Chemistry at Université Laval. Terence earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Université Laval in 2016, during which time he was an inaugural Schulich Leader scholar. His research interests include environmental and energy-related issues, and his studies have so far led to a semester at the Université de Strasbourg and a research stay at Harvard University. Terence is the recipient of numerous scholarships and awards, including a Medal of the Lieutenant Governor of Québec for Youth that he received at the end of his undergraduate degree for his excellent academic record and community involvement. Terence is also an avid mountaineer, an accomplished violinist and pianist, and a seasoned half-marathon runner.

Maude Potvin-Gilbert of Gatineau, Québec will complete her Master of Science in Integrative Biosciences in Kinesiology at Western University in Ontario. Maude obtained her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Université Laval in Québec. Maude's research project will study the relationship between motor variability in rowing, fatigue, the environment and potential injuries. A passionate skier, Maude was a member of the Québec freestyle ski team as well as the Canadian freestyle ski team from 2011 – 2014. She later introduced this sport to hundreds of youth in Ontario and Québec. Furthermore, through volunteering as a tutor with the Cour ta Réussite program, Maude has been involved in promoting academic perseverance, healthy lifestyles as well as the integration of new immigrants through participation in sports.

Semra Sevi of Toronto, Ontario will complete her PhD in Political Science at Université de Montréal. Semra obtained both her Honours Bachelor of Arts and her Masters in Political Science from the University of Toronto. Her PhD thesis explores attitudes towards refugees and immigrants across six Canadian regions. In 2014, Semra organized a crowd-funding campaign at the University of Toronto to help educate Syrian refugee children left orphaned by the conflict, raising $14000 in two weeks. Semra also showed her leadership skills when she organized a non-partisan campaign to increase student voter participation in the 2015 Canadian federal election. The success of this campaign was featured in mass media outlets and Semra was invited to present her results to the Premier of Ontario and the Prime Minister of Canada.

- Ken Taylor Scholarship

Kevin Duclos of Ottawa, Ontario will complete his Doctorate in Medical Sciences at the University of Calgary. Kevin holds both a Bachelors of Science and a Masters of Science from the Université de Montréal. Kevin's PhD research will contribute to enhance current knowledge in the field of evolutionary developmental biology while creating links between francophone and anglophone Canadian research teams at the University of Calgary and Université de Montréal. Kevin has worked for the Centre de développement de la relève scientifique et technologique, a non-profit organisation that aims to engage youth in quality learning experiences that will develop their interest in science and mathematics. 

"These four outstanding Canadians truly represent what the Schmeelk Foundation is all about," said Pierre Lortie, Chairman of Schmeelk Canada Foundation. "They embody the spirit of cooperation and cross-cultural understanding. They are proof that in Canada, our diversity is our strength. I congratulate this year's winners and wish them the best success in their upcoming studies."

About the Schmeelk Foundation
The Schmeelk Canada Foundation is a registered charity founded in 1994, ten years after the distinguished American investment banker Richard J. Schmeelk created the Schmeelk Fellowship through his own personal contributions. The Fellowship aims to build tolerance and understanding between anglophone and francophone Canadians across Canada and to encourage more effective collaboration and trust between Canadian business and government through the promotion of intercultural awareness and interprovincial studies. Since the program's founding, more than 100 Canadian students have been awarded fellowships of up to $40,000.

SOURCE Schmeelk Canada Foundation

Adam Daifallah, Vice-President of the Board, 514-316-7089, [email protected].