Loran Award

Mark Godfrey, 2006 CTVglobemedia Loran Scholar

Sheiry Dhillon, 2008 W. Garfield Weston Loran Scholar

Marie-Renée B-Lajoie, 2004 Loran Scholar

Recognizing that academic performance is not the only indicator of future value to the community, a group of dedicated volunteers set out to find and support young Canadians who demonstrate character, service and leadership potential.

The Loran Award is not a reward for past achievements, but an investment in a young person’s potential future path of high impact. Our scholars pursue careers in a wide range of areas, readily take on greater responsibilities and share a lifelong commitment to leading with integrity.

Offered in full partnership with 25 Canadian universities, a Loran Award is valued at approximately $100,000 over four years of undergraduate study:

“The Loran Scholars Foundation came into my life when I was 17, and I don’t see it ever leaving. It’s hard to distill into words how important it has been to the development of my career path and my development as a person.”

– Sarah Michael (BMO Loran Scholar ’93), Senior Social Development Specialist at the World Bank. Read more.

Summer Work Experiences

Fiona Emdin, 2011 W. Garfield Weston Loran Scholar

In the summer, we challenge scholars to broaden their horizons and gain meaningful work experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors.

Loran Scholars complete three types of 12-week summer work experiences: enterprise, public policy, and community development. They can access our networks and up to $14,000 in funding for two summers (up to $7,000 each), which take place in Canada or abroad.

“From reviewing municipal legislation in New Zealand to working with a Cambodian NGO to working on engineering projects in Kitimat and Prince Rupert, my summer internships defined my four years of university and helped me explore how I want to contribute to the world.”

– Julie Van de Valk (Loran Scholar ’12). Read more.

Mentorship

We match each Loran Scholar with a trusted Canadian leader for a four-year mentoring relationship.

Our mentors:

Introduce scholars to their new community
Provide them with advice and resources
Continually challenge them to act with courage, empathy and honesty

“[My mentor] Bill helps to keep me grounded. Sometimes he asks, ‘Why not?’ Why not volunteer my time? Why not put my name up for election? Bill helps me to see the bigger picture and encourages me to take an extra risk when it makes sense.”

– Sammy Lau (Young Fund Loran Scholar ’10) about his mentor Bill Morneau, former Finance Minister of Canada. Read more.

While our volunteer mentors come from diverse professional backgrounds, they share a commitment to leading with integrity. Past and present mentors include New Brunswick economic policy advisor Susan Holt, Power Corporation of Canada Executive Vice-President Claude Généreux, former Ontario Premier the Hon. Bob Rae, international law scholar and university leader Stephen Toope and Vancouver-based corporate director Don Shumka. See our current mentors.

“Hilary has challenged, encouraged and inspired me. I admire and appreciate her tenacity and kindness, and I’m so thankful that we were placed together. I know our relationship will continue to grow.”

– Christina Klassen (Belzberg Loran Scholar ’11) on her mentor Hilary Pearson, former President of the Philanthropic Foundations of Canada. Read more.

Extensive Network

With 134 scholars studying at 18 different universities throughout Canada, we believe strongly in the value of building a national community of scholars who inspire and motivate each other. We also connect them to our network of supporters and alumni.

In August, our scholars come together for the annual scholars’ retreat – four days of peer-to-peer learning, role modeling and reflection. Scholars participate in sessions on thoughtful leadership and meaningful service.

“The retreat really gives us a chance to learn more about how we can grow in our personal lives and in serving others. Having that time together so we can really form those bonds throughout our university years and beyond is absolutely crucial.”

– Evan Vassallo (Redknee Loran Scholar ’12)

First- and fourth-year Loran Scholars join us for a full-day scholars’ forum during the national selections weekend in February. They participate in workshops and learning sessions, while assisting with finalist interviews.

Adam Hasham (Scace Loran Scholar '10) and Gaurav Sharma (W. Garfield Weston Loran Scholar '10) at 2013 McGill Reception

Laura Thorne (Scace Loran Scholar '11) George Cooper and Sarah Burns (Ralph M. Barford Loran Scholar '11) at University of King's College

Throughout the academic year, partner universities host receptions and events for Loran Scholars, their mentors and friends of the Loran Scholars Foundation.

“McGill is proud to have welcomed more than 100 scholars since 1988, and we look forward to many more years of partnership.”

– Professor Suzanne Fortier, President and Vice-Chancellor, McGill University.

Graduating scholars join a network of 615 alumni and several hundred of our supporters who collaborate and support each other in leading and serving with integrity. Across Canada and the world, our alumni remain connected to one another through gatherings organized by regional hub coordinators and Connexion weekend.

“Loran Scholars impact the world in numerous ways, and it is an invaluable asset to be part of a network of creative and committed people so keen to make a difference.”

– François Tanguay-Renaud (BMO Loran Scholar ’98), Associate Professor & Director, Jack & Mae Nathanson Centre on Transnational Human Rights, Crime & Security, York University. Read more.

Orientation & Graduation

After we select Loran Scholars, we pair them with experienced counsellors who provide advice on university options.

Orientation Expedition for Loran Scholars

Incoming scholars gather the week before the Loran summer retreat to engage in an orientation experience, allowing them to strengthen their teamwork and leadership skills, and build a shared sense of identity before they disperse across Canada to begin their first term at university.

“You sleep outside for a week and it’s interesting to see how people act when they have nothing to hide behind. We get to know each other so fast and so well.”

– Georgie Giannopoulos (Loran Scholar ’13)

After the orientation experience, incoming scholars access EQ coaching to develop their self-awareness and emotional intelligence.

On the precipice of graduation from university, the pressure to follow conventional career paths can be strong.

We encourage fourth-year Loran Scholars to reflect on their post-graduation options and the choices they will need to make. Graduating scholars come together for a day in August to learn from a diverse group of Loran alumni. In February, they complete a McQuaig assessment to learn more about themselves and speak with career coaches.

Teachers Building Leaders Award

As a final step, graduating scholars are invited to express gratitude to their former teachers, by nominating them for the Loran Teachers Building Leaders Award.

The Teachers Building Leaders Award, sponsored by the McCall MacBain Foundation and presented and administered by the Loran Scholars Foundation, recognizes primary and secondary school teachers who go above and beyond to develop character, service and leadership in their students.

Nathan Valsangkar ('12) and former coach Andrew Tuck

Sarah Burns ('11) and former teacher Brent Scagnetti

Emily Hodgson (Boursière Loran 2012) et son ancienne enseignante Johanne Patry

The Teachers Building Leaders Award program opened nominations to the graduating class of Loran Scholars in March 2015. Our aim, through these awards, is to acknowledge the significant impact teachers have on the development of young leaders, offer our scholars an opportunity to show their gratitude to individuals who have impacted their lives, and inspire young Canadian students, teachers, administrators and the community to reflect upon their own leadership development and influencers.

“It means so much to be able to do something because the Loran Award is so good at teaching us selfreflection, and really looking at where we came from and why that matters. I was thinking there are these key people in my life that really did influence where I’m going, and who helped to make this all possible.”

– Maryellen Gibson (Rebanks Loran Scholar ’12)

After graduating, Loran Scholars join a thriving community of 615 alumni in Canada, the U.S. and abroad. Find out more about our alumni.