Supporting emerging leaders

New Petro-Canada scholarship includes mentoring, job placements

By Sally Collins

Petro-Canada has donated $1 million to create a scholarship program at the University of Calgary that supports emerging leaders who excel in engineering, science and business. The Petro-Canada Emerging Leaders Awards Program™ will help shape future leaders through financial support, mentoring and job placements by providing scholarships for students who are active in their communities and achieve excellence in their studies.

“We created this awards program in 2006 to help address Canada’s growing skill shortage issue and support our business goals,” said Petro-Canada President and Chief Executive Officer Ron Brenneman. “This program aims to encourage and support bright young leaders of the future—specifically post-secondary students in the areas of engineering, science and business.”

The award is given to students in their second year of study and, conditional on meeting annual requirements, will continue in subsequent years until graduation. This year, eight top U of C students will receive scholarships each worth $4,000.

“These new scholarships recognize that much learning occurs outside the classroom and will give our students even more opportunity to work and learn alongside our community leaders,” said U of C President Harvey Weingarten.

The Petro-Canada Emerging Leaders Awards Program™ has also been established at four other post secondary institutions in Canada including the University of Waterloo, the University of Alberta, NAIT and McGill University.

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Students excel in and outside classroom

Adele D’Adamo Haskayne School of Business

D’Adamo is currently completing her Bachelor of Commerce. She is interested in employee motivation and sees a future working in human resources. D’Adamo hopes to complete a semester abroad in Italy to gain a better understanding of her Italian heritage.

Nathan Fester, Faculty of Science

Exploration geophysics, hydrology and aquifers, calculus and computer science—it’s all interesting to Fester. An earth science student majoring in geophysics, he has explored many potential opportunities for his career, but hasn’t made any firm decisions. “Receiving this scholarship will allow me to focus my attention on my future and it means a lot to know someone believes in my potential.”

Calvin Ho, Schulich School of Engineering

An interest in the mechanics of how things work led Ho to the mechanical engineering program and he hopes to use his skills to work in the automotive industry upon graduation. After school, Ho keeps busy working part time at a computer centre and organizing activities for a youth group.

Nicole Marshall Schulich School of Engineering

Studying mechanical engineering with a biomedical specialty allows Marshall to combine two areas she finds fascinating. She is thoroughly enjoying anatomy and physiology courses and would like to pursue a career in medical research. Marshall is part of the student faculty liaison committee for the program and participates in student dance clubs.

Shannon Payne Schulich School of Engineering

Payne is in her second year in mechanical engineering, with a specialization in energy and environment. She sees her future in designing automotive and aerospace transportation with a focus on environmental considerations. In her spare time, she plays the bass guitar and harmonica while jamming with friends and works as a gymnastics coach in the summer.

Colin Rowell, Faculty of Science

Rowell developed an interest in volcanoes early in his life on a trip to Hawaii. Now, by studying geophysics with a plan to focus on volcanology, he will be able to research volcanoes for a living. When not studying, Rowell can be found rock climbing, hiking, playing tennis, biking, boating or skiing.

Alicia Simmonds, Haskayne School of Business

Simmonds enjoys math, which is why she is studying accounting and looking forward to a career as a chartered accountant. While completing her business degree, she’s gained invaluable knowledge about how organizations function and hopes to apply this to her own accounting firm one day. Simmonds hopes to complete a semester in New Zealand next year to gain exposure and understanding of international operations.

Scott Young, Schulich School of Engineering

Competitive trampolining keeps Young busier than lots of engineering students. He already competes at the national level and is currently training for international competition—with an eye to the Olympics. Young is completing his second year in chemical engineering and would like to pursue a career in oil and gas in Calgary.