Rhodes prize attracts attention from university's most exemplary students

As one of the most desirable and sought after awards in the world, the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship attracts the attention of many of the world’s top students. While there are only 83 awards available each year, the application process highlights a great many more talented students. This is no more apparent anywhere than at the University of Calgary.

The grueling application process and lengthy requirements did not stop many University of Calgary students from applying. Of those students who did apply, the Internal Rhodes Review Committee, a committee comprised of University of Calgary faculty and administration, endorsed nine students to compete for the internationally recognized Rhodes Scholarship.

Six of the nine University of Calgary students shortlisted for the Rhodes university scholarship are pictured above. Back row, from left: Stacy Muise, Megan MacLean, John Garrett, and Jacqueline Boon. Front row, from left: Samantha Hossack and Kathryn Nishimura. Missing from the photo are Aravind Ganesh, Kaylynn Purdy, and Yan Yu. Ganesh and Yu went on to be announced as recipients.

“Yan and Aravind are outstanding representatives of the faculty and of the University of Calgary and we are incredibly proud of them," said Dr. Jon Meddings, dean, Faculty of Medicine. "The Rhodes Scholarship is both an exclusive and prestigious award, and what an honour for these two scholars and for our university. Congratulations and I wish them both the best of luck at Oxford.”

A transformational experience

“It is a phenomenal experience, both a privilege and an honour, to be shortlisted as a candidate for the University of Calgary in the Rhodes Scholarship Competition,” said fourth year student Samantha Hossak, whose dream is to study diplomacy and policy development at Oxford.

Arts major Megan MacLean echoed a similar sentiment after learning she had been shortlisted to represent the university.

“I am so honoured,” said MacLean. “The Rhodes has been a dream of mine for a few years and I am very excited to be representing my school as a candidate.”

The postgraduate award, which covers all travel, living and study expenses at the British university, is valued at more than $100,000. It was established in 1903 by Cecil Rhodes, and was founded to invest and develop outstanding leaders motivated to "fight the world’s fight."

Getting to this point in the application and review process is a feat in itself. The criteria for these scholars are not only proven intellectual and academic attainment, but individuals who show exceptional character, leadership and achievement in extra-curricular activities, as well as a commitment to service in the public good.

In addition to the academic requirements and contributions to society, students must submit a personal statement, a CV that includes awards, scholarships, extracurricular involvement and the like, and the names of six referees who will act as references.

Since 1969, 13 University of Calgary students have won the impressive scholarship.

Yu and Ganesh are the most recent recipients of the Rhodes Scholarship, having won the scholarship for 2014. They join Braden O’Neill, who won the award in 2011, and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Primary Care.

The following are short bios of the talented students endorsed by this year’s Internal Rhodes Review Committee.

Jacqueline Boon, BSc (Neuroscience) 2014

Boon is an elected representative for the Faculty of Science in the Students' Union and co-ordinator of the Wellness Health Awareness Team. She is the recipient of two PURE awards, and spent last summer at the University of Oxford as part of the HBI-Oxford Rebecca Hotchkiss Scholar Exchange Program. Outside of classroom, Boon is an accomplished dancer and dance instructor.

Aravind Ganesh, MD 2012

Ganesh is founding president of the Citizens for Change in Calgary and student president of the University of Calgary chapter of Canadian Doctors for Medicare. A Chancellor Scholar, he won many awards for his scholastic and research excellence, and presented at national and international conferences and symposiums. Ganesh founded the university cricket team and continues to play competitive soccer.

John Garrett, BSc (Electrical Engineering) 2012, MSc (Electrical Engineering) 2014

Garrett is an active member of the Triathlon Club and Calgary rugby team and qualified for the 2014 World ITU Championship. He worked for the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing and traveled to Ecuador to help a community solve its sanitation problems. He is passionate about developing new approaches to microwave imaging and sensing, and was the recipient of the Alberta Innovates Technology Futures Scholarship.

Samantha Hossack, BA (English and History) 2014

Hossack is a Chancellor Scholar and part of Scholars Academy. Her interest is related to diplomacy and policy development and she has acted as an advisor and mentor for the Model United Nations. She is currently a Junior Research Fellow for the Atlantic Council of Canada and president of the University of Calgary Political Science Association.

Megan MacLean, BA (Archaeology, Greek and Roman Studies) 2014

MacLean has engaged in fieldwork in Macedonia and is executive vice-president of the Chacmool Archaeology Association. She is a member of Scholars Academy and also recipient of the Louise McKinney scholarship. MacLean has previously played on the varsity basketball team, and was CCAA national champion and ACAC provincial champion while playing varsity volleyball at Mount Royal University.

Stacy Muise, BSc (Natural Science) 2014

Muise helped found the Natural Sciences Students Association to foster community within the interdisciplinary field. She is the recipient of several NSERC summer studentships, investigating solar power, conservation genetics, and human health. For four years, Muise speedskated with the Oval program. She continues to be active with soccer and dance.

Kathryn Nishimura, BSc (Kinesiology) 2014

Nishimura was named Academic All Canadian three years in a row and part of the Dinos wrestling team. She placed fourth at the Junior National Championship and was a member of Team Alberta for the Canada Summer Games. Nishimura volunteers at the Thrive Centre and received the USRP Markin Award for her research on body composition measurement methods and their relationship with fitness in breast cancer survivors. 

Kaylynn Purdy, H.BHSc (Health Sciences) 2014

Purdy co-founded the Calgary World Health Organization Simulation, the first of its kind in Western Canada, which enables students to debate global health issues. She is a competitive road cyclist and past member of Team Alberta, volunteers with the pediatric emergency medicine research team and at the Rotary Flames House at the Alberta Children’s hospital. Her current research is in the area of peripheral nerve regeneration.

Yan Yu, BScH (Biology) 2011, MD 2014

Yu founded the Calgary Guide to Understanding Disease, a resource to help medical students better understand signs and complications associated with disease. He acts as a peer listener for fellow medical students in distress and was chair of the Medical School Political Advocacy Committee. Yu is also part of Scholars Academy, is a mountain trail runner and cyclist, and recipient of the Nat Christie Foundation Medical Entrance Award.