Lad Javorek Memorial Awards

Award | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Business Administration, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year, Exchange

The Lad Javorek Memorial Awards are provided annually to two students entering their third or subsequent year of study at Acadia that has been accepted to participate in a recognized International Exchange or Study Abroad program. Preference will be given to students who has shown financial need and an interest in International Trade/Business. The recipients will be selected in direct consultation with the Coordinator- International Education.

This award was established in 2012 through the generosity of the John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation, in consultation with the Javorek family, to honour Lad Javorek, a good friend and business colleague who had a positive impact on John Bragg, particularly as it related to the development of International Trade/Business.

BY MARCH 1: Please submit a one page letter to international@acadiau.ca, indicating why you would like to study abroad and how this opportunity will advance your career goals especially in the area of International Trade and Business.

Donate Now 

Lalia Halfkenny Award

Award | Eligibility: Arts, Pure and Applied Science, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island

Established by sisters Laura Robinson (’88) and Alva Robinson (’77) in honour of Lalia Halfkenny (Acadia Ladies Seminary 1889), this award is granted to an in-course Black Canadian student, preferably from Nova Scotia or the Maritimes, in the BA or BSc program (alternating) in recognition of academic success and community service.

New Brunswick-born Lalia Halfkenny was the first Black woman to graduate from an institute of higher education in the Maritimes at a time when few Black Canadians had access to any schooling at all. Halfkenny was the only Black graduate in her class at the Acadia Ladies Seminary in 1889. After graduating she looked for work but found few opportunities in the Maritimes. Halfkenny went to Virginia, where she was a very active and much beloved teacher. She volunteered in a home for African American families who were living in poverty.

Alva Robinson (BSc), Secretary of Acadia’s Class of 1977, enjoyed a career in digital information with the City of Halifax and then Halifax Regional Municipality. Laura Robinson (BA English ’88) continued her academic life and is Dean of Arts at Acadia. Both sisters spent their Acadia years as residents of Whitman House (“Tully”) and were inspired by Lalia’s story and those of current Black Acadia students.

Donate Now 

Lan Kwan Sum Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Arts, Professional Studies, Pure and Applied Science

Established in 2015 by the Estate of Lan Kwan Sum, Class of 1976. To be granted on a renewable basis to female students in any full-time program who demonstrate financial need and satisfactory academic performance. Preference to entering permanent residents of Hong Kong or landed immigrants to Canada from Hong Kong.

Lan Kwan Sum graduated from Acadia University with a MEd in Special Education in 1976. Originally from Hong Kong, she held a strong belief in the value of a good education. As a foreign student, Ms. Sum had developed a deep understanding about the financial and psychological hardships that some Hong Kong students experienced when they were pursuing their studies.

Donate Now 

Laura Payzant-Doleman Music Award

Award | Eligibility: Music, Entering first year

The Laura Payzant-Doleman Music Award is awarded annually to an entering student pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree who through his or her academic accomplishments and extra-curricular activities shows merit and promise in the field of music. The award is made on recommendation of the Director of the School of Music.

This Award was established and made available through the generosity of James and Ronald Doleman who wished to provide a gift in celebration of the life and legacy of their mother Laura Payzant-Doleman (BMus , Acadia, 1936). Laura was an accomplished musician and music teacher and in a career of 50 years mentored 1000 students through the Royal Conservatory of Music program.

Donate Now 

Laura Sanders Athletic Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2021 by Women’s Basketball Alumni (Grads 1991-97). This award will recognize a returning player who is a passionate team player exhibiting mental toughness and pride for the program. They are an athlete willing to give the “extra 5 percent” and respects those around them. The inaugural disbursement will be for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Laura Sanders was a multi-sport coach (field hockey, soccer and basketball) who led the Acadia Women’s Basketball program from 1984-2004. Laura’s passion, hard work and commitment to the program has left a lasting impression on many under her leadership. Laura was inducted into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.

Donate Now 

Laura Taylor Bursary

Bursary of up to $1,000

Established in 2018 by Laura Taylor ('61), this bursary is granted to a full-time student preferably from Cape Breton or outside of Canada, in recognition of financial need.

Laura Taylor grew up in Cape Breton and worked in the US prior to attending Acadia. Following graduation in 1961, she worked at Children's Aid Society in Kentville and travelled Europe before settling in western Canada and earning two more degrees. She had a full career in social work with the City of Calgary and is a world traveler and an artist, volunteering in Brazil, Poland and Latvia for three years after retirement. Value: $1,000.

Donate Now 

Laurie and Marilyn Stevens Award

Award | Eligibility: Entering first year

The Laurie and Marilyn Stevens Award is awarded annually to a student entering an undergraduate program at Acadia, with preference given to a resident of Nova Scotia. Laurie Stevens graduated from the Acadia School of Engineering in 1955 and conducted a successful business career in Nova Scotia. Marilyn Stevens graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History and a Diploma in Secretarial Sciences.

Donate Now 

Laurie B. Stevens Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Applied Science, Business Administration, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year, Entering first year

The Laurie B. Stevens Memorial Award is awarded annually to an entering or returning student in the Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Applied Science, or Certificate of Applied Science program at Acadia. Laurie Stevens graduated from the Acadia School of Engineering in 1955 and conducted a successful business career in Nova Scotia.

Donate Now 

Leander Rupert Morse and Ellen Mary Fitch Morse Scholarship

Scholarship

The Leander Rupert Morse and Ellen Mary Fitch Morse Scholarship provides $320 to assist a student from the Lawrencetown High School. Failing a worthy applicant, the scholarship may be awarded to another Nova Scotia student.

Donate Now 

Leslie Eaton Memorial Cup

Trophy | Eligibility: Athletics

The Leslie Eaton Memorial Cup presented annually to the winner of the interclass quarter mile race is the gift of Mrs. Leslie E. Eaton in memory of her husband (Acadia '03).

Donate Now 

Lester and Evangeline Giffin Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year, Entering first year

The Lester and Evangeline Giffin Bursary is awarded annually, on the basis of financial need, to an entering or returning student, with preference given to students graduating from Middleton Regional High School in Nova Scotia who show a strong desire to attend university and demonstrate qualities of sound character and academic ability. This bursary has been funded by Audrey E. Bateman (BA Acadia, 1950, BED Acadia, 1951), Ronald S. Giffin (CAS Acadia, 1954), Frederick S. Giffin (BSC Acadia, 1963) and Wilfred L. Giffin (CAS Acadia, 1948) in honour of their parents Lester D. Giffin and Evangeline W. Giffin whose love and encouragement enabled members of the Giffin family to pursue a university education.

Donate Now 

Liam Blanchard Memorial Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

The Liam Blanchard Memorial Award was established in 2013 by friends of Liam Blanchard. To be awarded to a returning Acadia female rugby player in recognition of their leadership, community involvement, positive communication skills and general love of life. The recipient will be chosen by the Head Coach of the varsity women's rugby team and the Director of Athletics.

Donate Now 

Libby Burnham Bursary

Bursary | Eligibility: Arts, Pure and Applied Science

The Libby Burnham Bursary is awarded on a renewable basis to students in the Faculty of Arts or Faculty of Science with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to well-rounded students entering their first year of studies.

The bursary has been established by Libby Burnham, who graduated from Acadia University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. She went on to receive her law degree at Dalhousie University and also received an honorary degree in 2000 from Acadia University.

Donate Now 

Lillian I. Wambolt Bursary

Bursary

The Lillian I. Wambolt Bursary, established through the will of Lillian I. Wambolt, will provide financial assistance to needy and deserving students at the sole discretion of the President and/or Vice President (Academic) of Acadia.

Donate Now 

Lily and Margaret Lynds Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year

The Lily and Margaret Lynds Scholarship of $1880 ($470 a year for up to four years) was endowed by the late Misses Lillian and Margaret Lynds of Moncton, New Brunswick.

Donate Now 

Lina Mae Silver Scholarship (Mathematics)

Scholarship | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science, Mathematics and Statistics, Current 1st year, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Lina Mae Silver Scholarship (Mathematics) was provided through the Estate of the late Ms Silver (B.A. Acadia '56) who was a noted teacher of mathematics in several Nova Scotia public schools and a supporter of the arts and theatre. The scholarship(s) is/are awarded to mathematics majors on the recommendation of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Donate Now 

Linda J. Johnston Award in Theatre Performance

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Theatre

Established in 2017, the Linda J. Johnston Award in Theatre Performance is granted to a returning student majoring in Theatre who exhibits passion for theatre and intends to continue with studies or a career in performance, directing, or teaching theatre.

Linda Johnston grew up in Sydney, Nova Scotia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She came home to Acadia where she earned a BSc degree in Recreation Management and Psychology in 1980, but spent most of her time and energy in Denton Hall, and U Hall as a performer and director. Her career has been predominately in the healthcare sector as a therapist at the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre, and Executive Director of both the Abilities Foundation of NS and the Atlantic Division of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Atlantic Canada. Linda concluded her career as Development Officer for Dalhousie University. She is involved in local theatre and her church, but as the Life President of the Class of 1980, she has never forgotten to “stand up and cheer” for Acadia. This award is a 60th birthday gift from Linda’s husband, Bill Brydon.

Donate Now 

Livingstone-Murray Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: Pure and Applied Science

The Livingstone-Murray Scholar-bursary is awarded annually on recommendation of the Faculty of Science to an entering or returning student on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students majoring in Biology. This award has been established by Dr. Katherine L. Bick (BSCH Acadia 1951, MSC Acadia 1952, PHD Brown University & DSC Acadia 1990).

Donate Now 

Liz Vermeulen Women’s Sport Award

Award of up to $1,000 | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2021 by former female athletes coached by Liz. To be awarded to a returning women’s varsity athlete who demonstrates leadership qualities with her respective program and is in good academic standing. The recipient will be chosen by the Director of Athletics in consultation with head coaches of the women’s varsity programs. The inaugural disbursement of funds will be for the 2021-22 academic year.

Liz Vermeulen coached several women’s varsity programs through the 1960s and 70s including basketball, field hockey, volleyball and curling. Professionally, Liz has been a tireless and effective member of associations established to promote intercollegiate sports. As a member since ’62 of the Canadian Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, she contributed immensely to such founding programs as the Adapted Program and Teacher Education in P.E. Fittingly, in 1987, she was made a “Fellow of CAHPER”! Miss Vermeulen was also very involved in the founding committee that established in Nova Scotia the Teachers’ Association of Physical Education.

Value: $1,000+ annually

Donate Now 

Lloyd and Anne MacFarlane Family Athletic Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics, Current 1st year

Established in 2019 by Anne MacFarlane and family. The award will be presented to a first-year student-athlete who is a member of the men’s hockey or football program with preference to a student enrolled in education, science or business.

The recipient will be recommended by the Director of Athletics in consultation with the head coach of the hockey or football program.

The Lloyd and Anne MacFarlane Family Athletic Award was created to recognize the impact the University has had on the family from which all of Lloyd (’50,’52), Anne (’52), and sons David (’77), Mark (’81), and John (’85) are graduates. Lloyd, David, and Mark all played varsity sports during their time at Acadia including hockey, rugby, and football. This award is also established in memory of Mark who passed away in 2000 and Lloyd who passed away in 2019.

Donate Now 

Lloyd Caldwell Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts, Pure and Applied Science, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Lloyd Caldwell Memorial Scholarship shall be awarded to a student in the second or subsequent years of study in the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science (with preference to the former) who has demonstrated academic excellence and has contributed to the University and/or the community through public service. Preference shall be given to students normally domiciled in Nova Scotia. The scholarship is named in memory of Dr. Allan Lloyd Caldwell, Q.C., (1924-2002), Chairman of the Acadia Board of Governors, 1978-1990.

Donate Now 

Lloyd E. Shaw Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Applied Science, Entering first year

The Lloyd E. Shaw Scholarship of $450 ($150 a year for up to three years) provided by the late L. E. Shaw, Halifax, Nova Scotia, is to be awarded to a student entering the field of applied science (engineering) with a high academic standing.

Donate Now 

Lois (Duncan) Kauffman Memorial Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary | Eligibility: International student

The Lois (Duncan) Kauffman Memorial Scholar-Bursary will be awarded annually to entering or returning students with demonstrated financial need. Preference will be given to students who are US citizens.

This award was established in 2009 by Dr. Daniel J. Kauffman in memory of the late Lois (Duncan) Kauffman (BA Acadia, 1973).

Donate Now 

Lois Duffy Award

Award | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Music, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Lois Duffy Award was provided by friends and colleagues to honour Lois G. Duffy, CPS (BA Secretarial 1948) on her retirement from Atlantic Provinces Economic Council. The award is made annually on the recommendation of the School of Music to a promising and deserving third or fourth year vocal student with an aptitude for oratorio and church music. An alternate acceptable candidate would be a music student with an interest in choral conducting.

Donate Now 

Loring Sturk (’67) Memorial Swimming Award

Award | Eligibility: Athletics

Established in 2024 by the Estate of Loring Sturk (’67). The expendable award will provide support for five years to the Varsity Swim Team to support student recruitment. The award can be used to support one or two athletes annually. The recipient(s) will be chosen by the Head Coach of the varsity swim team and the Director of Athletics.

Born in Berwick, Nova Scotia, Loring (Bill) Sturk graduated in 1967 from Acadia University with a BSc in Biology. Bill later went on to teach mathematics for 35 years at North Hastings High School in Bancroft, Ontario and taught as a supply teacher for an additional 15 years. He was a lifelong runner and became adept at beekeeping and honey making. He took great pleasure in his Maxwell Settlement farm, and his Florida apartment, from which he whiled away many a day fishing for sea trout and redfish. The two memorial funds are made possible by a generous gift from his estate.

Donate Now 

Lou and Gloria Thurber Bursary

Bursary

Established through the generosity of Lou Thurber (’49, ’50), the Lou and Gloria Thurber Bursary is awarded annually to entering students in second semester on the basis of financial need. Two $5,000 awards are available annually – one for a student from Barrington Passage, NS, and one from Freeport, NS.

Lou and Gloria Thurber attended Acadia University in the 1940s, graduating in 1949 with a BA, and Lou again in 1950 with a BEd. They spent their lives in Barrington Passage where Lou was a teacher, and raising a family, including Acadia alumni Judith (BAH ’74) and Gary (BSc ’80, BScH ’82), and granddaughter Bethany (BScH ’08).

Donate Now 

Louise Morse Warne Scholarship

Scholarship | Eligibility: Arts

The Louise Morse Warne Scholarship is awarded on recommendation of the Faculty of Arts to returning undergraduate and/or Master’s students who have graduated from a Nova Scotia high school or were homeschooled at their residence in Nova Scotia as described by the Nova Scotia Department of Education. The awards, which may be renewed, will be made to students who have demonstrated superior ability and good qualities of leadership and character. Preference may be given to students majoring in English.

The scholarship was established in 2006 through the kindness and generosity of the estate of Louise Morse Warne. Louise Warne (B.A. Acadia 1924), of Digby, passed away on February 3, 2004, at the age of 100. She was born in West Paradise on February 24, 1903 and was the only daughter of the late Major J. Eugene and Edith Morse.

Donate Now 

Lucy V. (Gates) Shelzi Entrance Scholarships

Scholarship | Eligibility: Entering first year, Nova Scotia

The Lucy V. (Gates) Shelzi Entrance Scholarships are annually awarded to students with high academic standing and who have a demonstrated need for financial assistance. The scholarships are named in memory of Lucy V. (Gates) Shelzi, a distinguished graduate of the Class of 1926, teacher, librarian and humanitarian. Preference will be given to a student resident in Yarmouth County.

Donate Now 

Lyle Davis Community Engagement Award

Award | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Community Development, Current 2nd year, Current 3rd year, Current 4th year

The Lyle Davis Community Engagement Award is presented to a returning Acadia student in Community Development. This award honours Lyle Davis who worked for Acadia University from 1983-1991 and had a deep connection to the Recreation Management and Community Development Department. Lyle Davis was fun-loving, lived an active lifestyle, was an inspirational leader, optimistic, deeply connected to others and lived life fully. He was an avid outdoor enthusiast and musician, and he pursued many other hobbies until his untimely death in a climbing accident at Lake Louise in 1991.

This award was created and funded by Lyle’s family, friends, colleagues, and alumni and faculty members of the Community Development Department because of the inspiration and vision he created for them. The award recognizes a returning Community Development student who is passionate about the outdoors and/or active living, has infectious optimism, fosters deep connections to others, is fun loving, and demonstrates inspirational leadership.

Donate Now 

Lyman Baxter Harvey Memorial Scholar-Bursary

Scholar-Bursary of up to $3,500 | Eligibility: Nova Scotia

Established in 2017 through the estate gift of Dr. Lyman Harvey, this scholar-bursary is awarded to an entering or returning student from the Municipality of the District of West Hants, Nova Scotia in recognition of academic excellence and financial need.

Dr. Lyman Baxter Harvey grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts, a descendant of Planters from Hants County, Nova Scotia. He earned a BSc in Biology from Acadia in 1938 where he studied pipe organ, then completed a MDCM at McGill in 1942. After serving in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps in Canada, he studied ophthalmology at Northwestern University (Chicago). He practiced and taught medicine in Illinois and served as a medical missionary in India. From his retirement in 1979 until his death in 2009, Dr. Harvey lived in Hants County.

Donate Now 

Lynn Barkhouse Music Education Award

Award of up to $115 | Eligibility: Professional Studies, Music, Current 3rd year

The Lynn Barkhouse Music Education Award. An award given annually by the Acadia Music Club to one student ($115) or two students ($57.50 each) registered in the third year of the Bachelor of Music Education degree program. The award will be granted on the basis of above-average scholastic achievement, financial need, and interest in teaching music.

Donate Now