The Laurier Scholars Award is Wilfrid Laurier University’s most prestigious entrance scholarship, supporting high-achieving students in their studies and career development through mentorship, experiential learning opportunities and community engagement.
The award provides students with $40,000 for their degree, with $7,500 per year for up to four years and $10,000 for an experiential learning opportunity such as a summer research assistantship, international exchange or other hands-on learning opportunity.
In addition to the scholarship, each scholar is paired with two mentors — a senior student in their faculty and a faculty member in the same department or with similar interests. They also participate in colloquiums, leadership development projects and an annual conference to share their achievements.
One incoming undergraduate student from each faculty is chosen per year. Students must have a final admission average of 90% or higher and must have demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities and accomplishments. The program is highly competitive, receiving more than 380 completed applications from high-achieving applicants across Canada.
Below, Laurier’s 2023-24 scholars share a little bit about themselves, their accomplishments and their experiences in the Scholars Award program.
Hometown: Brantford, Ontario
I chose Laurier for three reasons: the Arts Degree and Master’s Degree program, the Laurier Scholars Award, and Laurier’s multiple campus locations. The dual Arts Degree and Master’s Degree program allows students to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in a condensed timeframe, and I like the challenge of an accelerated degree. Secondly, the Laurier Scholars Award seemed like an opportunity beyond my wildest dreams – even before I knew I would be a recipient. And lastly, my mother is ill. Attending a university with multiple campuses, especially one with a campus close to my hometown, is important to me.
I am looking forward to working with peers who share the same drive, determination and passion for academia as me. Even though we each come from different academic programs, the opportunity to work alongside equally motivated, bright individuals is incredibly rewarding and exciting.
I chose to study Political Science and Indigenous Studies at Laurier because of my career aspirations in Indigenous advocacy. As an Ojibwe woman, I have immense passion for Indigenous issues in Canada and, in my career, I want to help improve the lives of Indigenous peoples. By studying Political Science, I can deepen my knowledge of legislation that adversely impacts Indigenous peoples. By studying Indigenous Studies, I hope to become an expert in the issues harming the Indigenous population in Canada.
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Hometown: Vaughan, Ontario
Laurier offers a one-of-a-kind program in User Experience Design (UX) that provides hands-on learning beyond textbooks. The program immerses students in real-world design challenges, which is exactly what I was looking for in a degree experience. My long-time interest in design coupled with Laurier’s tight-knit community made choosing Laurier an easy decision for me.
I am involved in the First-Year Leadership Program (FYLP) and serve as the vice president of operations on the athletic health and wellness council. Meeting new people through FYLP events has been fulfilling. I am also a general member of the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union and have led campus tours during Laurier’s open house at the Brantford campus.
User Experience Design interests me because it is practical – it combines functionality with creativity to produce seamless experiences for the end user. I also like the research side of User Experience Design to better understand how to improve products or services and then bring those changes to life. Eventually, I would love to create a neurodivergent-friendly lifestyle app during my time at Laurier.
"The Laurier Scholars Award is helping to shape my academic journey through experiential learning opportunities and mentorship – it’s better than I could have imagined!"
Selin Ulugbay
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
I was involved in various extracurriculars during high school, including student council, the Black History Month committee, chaplaincy and more. I received the Student Leadership and Advocacy Award at graduation and achieved the Principal’s Honour Roll. These accomplishments reflect my effort toward creating a positive school environment while being an active member in my community and inspiring others to do the same.
Winning the Laurier Scholars Award is an absolute honour and reminds me that with determination and resilience, I can achieve anything. Receiving this distinguished scholarship recognizes my years of commitment and hard work leading up to this point in my life. The Laurier Scholars Award will allow me to pursue my education in Laurier’s Business Administration program and provide many opportunities to reach my goals.
Since coming to Laurier, I have been part of the First-Year Leadership Program as the community outreach representative and the Black Student Association. I am also the operations associate for the Lazaridis Students’ Society, which has been a phenomenal experience thus far. I have met many people through events and clubs at Laurier and I cannot wait to participate in more.
Hometown: Oakville, Ontario
Laurier has been my top choice since learning about the combined Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts degree program offered in partnership with the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. Obtaining an undergraduate arts degree and a law degree in six years is a fantastic opportunity. This program will allow me to fast-track my career while getting international experience. I attended campus tours and the open house in the fall of 2022, which further solidified my decision to attend Laurier. I love the friendly community and small class sizes here.
I am excited to be a part of the scholars' community and connect and work with like-minded peers. The Laurier Scholars Award is helping to shape my academic journey to be better than I could have imagined through experiential learning and mentorship opportunities. I have always loved learning and enjoyed school, so this award inspires me to continue working to my full potential.
I chose to study Criminology to gain a deeper understanding of crime and the criminal justice system in Canada. Law is a fascinating field and an intrinsic part of society that is constantly evolving. Since I was a child, I have been passionate about helping people and I wanted this to be my career. I am interested in becoming a lawyer and helping people through this field. I have a strong interest in justice and equity, and as a lawyer, I want to focus on criminal justice. As I progress in my career, I want to enable positive change and progress in the justice system of Canada.
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"Even though we each come from different academic programs, the opportunity to work alongside equally motivated, bright individuals is incredibly rewarding and exciting."
Isabella Bertrand-Abotossaway
Hometown: Wellesley, Ontario
In high school, I received excellence awards in French, drama, vocals, as well as the Principal’s Award. I also accompanied three of my high school’s choirs and was active in many other extracurriculars, such as the social action initiative, basketball team, Students Without Borders club, and the music council. In Grade 12, I co-wrote a play and co-directed its production, casting student actors from several drama classes. I have also competed on the junior national figure skating team and medaled at numerous international competitions in the United States, Germany and Hungary.
I am grateful, excited and honoured to receive this award. It feels like all the hard work and leadership I put in throughout high school — academically and in my extracurricular involvement — is being recognized and rewarded with even more exciting opportunities.
I am particularly interested in finding answers to questions about what makes music beautiful and why every culture has created music. I find it fascinating that combinations of sound — mere vibrations — can have such an impact on people, whether in our everyday lives or in areas like therapy. I want to learn more about the intersections of physics, biology, aesthetics, psychology, and sociology, which make the connection between sound and meaning. I could then apply this knowledge in many fields, from composition and musicology to acoustic ecology and music therapy.
Hometown: Stoney Creek, Ontario
I chose Laurier because of its sense of community. From the moment I arrived on campus, Laurier felt like home to me. It didn’t take me long to understand why students, faculty and staff are proud to be Golden Hawks. The Laurier community is incredibly welcoming, supportive and friendly. I was also attracted to Residence Learning Clusters, which allow students to live with other students in their program. I live in a Social Work cluster and it has been an amazing way to meet like-minded students and make friends.
I achieved honour roll status in each year of high school and was selected by my teachers to participate in a week-long service-learning experience in the Dominican Republic. During the experience, I volunteered to help a developing community in the mountains of San Jose de Ocoa. This was a life-changing experience that ignited my passion for international community development and international social work.
I chose to study Social Work because I am passionate about responding to the needs of people, effecting change, and promoting social and environmental justice. An education in Social Work at Laurier will give me the necessary skills to meaningfully connect with individuals who are disadvantaged and allow me to positively contribute to global social issues.
"Winning the Laurier Scholars Award is an absolute honour and reminds me that with determination and resilience, I can achieve anything."
Melina Mehari
Hometown: Chatham, Ontario
Content advisory: The following includes reference to suicide.After losing my father to suicide in 2014, I wrote a children’s book entitled What I Have Learned (About Life After Suicide). The book discusses my experiences in grief, and how I was able to continue living a normal life after his passing. I also spoke at public events organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association and other mental health groups and won an Ontario Junior Citizen Award in 2018 for sharing my experience through my book. In high school, I served as the student trustee and president of the student senate for the Conseil Scolaire catholique Providence school board. I also represented local youth on two municipal committees in Chatham-Kent.
Receiving this scholarship has been an unreal experience and an absolute honour. To me, it feels as though my hard work and dedication are paying off and I am so excited to see where the future will take me. This scholarship will provide me with opportunities to further develop my leadership skills and knowledge of science.
I joined the Faculty of Science Student Association – commonly known as FOSSA – and serve as the first-year representative. This role has provided an amazing experience, as I’ve been able to organize fun events and be a voice for all first-year Science students.
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Chatham Daily News: Children’s mental health champion: Chatham woman awarded $40K scholarship
CBC Listen: Chatham teen wins scholarship for her work advocating for mental health
