This year the McCall MacBain foundation announced its latest cohort of McCall MacBain Scholars. In Fall 2023, the Faculty of Arts will welcome six new graduate students who are honouring the Faculty’s tradition of fostering leadership in the humanities and social sciences.
Join us in welcoming this new cohort of scholars.
Cameron Adams, who is completing his BA in Indigenous Languages and a BEd in History at the University of Winnipeg will be joining McGill as an MA student in Indigenous Language Revitalization. Cameron has worked with an Elder and other community members to create a mobile application for learning nehinwewin (Swampy Cree) and has participated in six Habitat for Humanity home-building trips as well as volunteering with a community-based safety patrol.
“This scholarship is life-changing, making my dream of pursuing graduate studies a reality,” says Cameron. “This will also provide me with knowledge and an in-depth understanding within the field of Indigenous Language Revitalization.”
Isabella Grajczyk from Saskatchewan will be pursuing an MA in Political Science. A recent graduate of the University of Regina, Isabella works on gender equality projects for the United Nations Development Program and started and oversees the non-profit organization, Sask Girls United, which provides more than 700 girls and gender-diverse youth with free virtual programming, as well as co-leading an initiative to educate Canadians about homelessness.
“This scholarship means everything to me,” Isabella says. “The idea of grad school seemed almost unattainable before, but with the support of the McCall MacBain Scholarship, I feel ready and able to achieve my dreams! I am beyond grateful for the opportunity this scholarship provides and the growth that I will experience because of it.”
Michael Kynaston will pursue a Master of Public Polic (MPP) at the Max Bell School of Public Policy this fall. A graduate of the University of Warwick (BA’17), Michael works as a participation and communities manager for a borough council in London, United Kingdom and is involved running participative funding schemes and was responsible for coordinating community-led responses to COVID-19 for over 2,000 residents.
“I love to speak to and engage with people, but I know I have much to learn when it comes to other aspects of policymaking,” Michael says. “I want to turn my weaknesses into strengths by studying Public Policy so that I can make a bigger positive impact through public service.”
Julia Morelli will pursue an MA in Political Science after she graduates from her BA in Political Science at the University of Saskatchewan. Julia works as constituency assistant for two Members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan and play for her university’s women’s hockey team.
“Being selected to be a McCall MacBain Scholar solidified a sense of belief in myself and pride in what I am capable of accomplishing,” Julia says. “I am so excited to be a part of a program that will challenge, support, and accelerate not only my growth as a leader in making positive change, but as a person too.”
Eldar Wang is completing her BA in World Literature at Duke Kunshan University in China and will pursue an MA in East Asian Studies in the fall. She is the author of a world poetry book and has translated four book-length works. She is interested in studying the literature and culture of modern China and the representations of Asian minority groups around the world.
“This scholarship will enable me to pursue my interest in East Asian Studies and have more opportunities to meet with leaders in all fields,” says Eldar. “Additionally, it means the opportunity to live in Montreal—when I was walking in this beautiful city, many times I thought to myself: it would be a big pity if this is my last visit. Now I can spend countless days and nights in Montreal!”
Caleigh Wong is a recent graduate of Dalhousie University with a BA in International Development Studies and a diploma in civil engineering as a Sexton Scholar. Caleigh served as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces from 2017 to 2022 and is the co-founder of a non-profit organization that addresses anti-Asian racism and the editor-in-chief of its magazine.
“This scholarship represents validation for the work I have spent the past half-decade of my life doing, and an amazing opportunity to advance it further,” Caleigh says. “A life is made up of many dreams, but this is no doubt one of them.”