UGDSB graduate awarded prestigious scholarship to pursue Master’s degree
July 29, 2021
GUELPH, Ontario – In 2017, graduating Guelph CVI student Raymond Tu was awarded the Morehead-Cain scholarship. This scholarship is a four-year scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and included full tuition, student fees, housing, meals, books, a laptop and more.
Now having completed his time at the University of North Carolina, Raymond is back in Canada after receiving the McCall MacBain Scholarship to pursue a graduate degree in Toxicology and Pharmacology at McGill University.
According to the Morehead-Cain website, this flagship “scholarship selected its 2021 cohort on the basis of ‘entrepreneurial spirit, breadth and depth of interests, problem-solving ability, willingness to take meaningful risks, and exceptional character.’”
When reflecting on his experiences as an Upper Grand District School Board student, Raymond said, “The experiences I had, and more importantly, the staff and students at Guelph CVI were and continue to be formative to who I am today. When asked about my educational background, I’m fiercely proud to say that I am a product of Guelph public schools. Without the support and resources provided to me by the schools and school board, the mentorship offered by my teachers and advisors, the opportunities for involvement in my school and community, I know it would have been tremendously difficult for a first-generation, low-income student, like myself, to have been able to even think about striving for excellence in post-secondary education.”
The McCall MacBain Scholarship is not the only exciting scholarship news that this UGDSB graduate has recently received, Raymond was also offered a scholarship to the Schulich School of Medicine at Western University, which he has deferred until after his Master’s program is complete at McGill University.
When asked what advice he would give to current UGDSB students, Raymond said, “Take advantage of all the learning opportunities you have in your school and community. If something you want to do doesn’t seem feasible, ask for guidance and support. And most importantly, have fun doing the things you love.”
When Raymond graduates from McGill University and Western University, he hopes to pursue a career in in health and healing, as a physician that works to centre and empower the voices of marginalized communities across Ontario and Canada.
Congratulations Raymond, we wish you the best in your graduate studies.