Acadia University student Margaret Hopkins (BScH ’21, BMus ’21) has been named a finalist for the inaugural McCall MacBain Scholarships, Canada’s first comprehensive leadership-based scholarship for master’s and professional studies.

The scholarship enables students to pursue a fully funded master’s or professional degree at McGill University while connecting with mentors and participating in an intensive leadership development program.

Margaret will join 49 Canadian peers from 28 universities at virtual final interviews from March 11 to 13, 2021. Shewill participate in interviews with Canadian leaders from academia, business, government, and the social sector.

“I am honoured to have been recognized for my work and achievements at Acadia and for my potential to become a world class leader with the support and mentorship of the McCall MacBain Scholarships program,” said Margaret. “I am excited for the next round of interviews, and am grateful to have had this experience, regardless of what the outcome will be.”

Over 735 people applied for the McCall MacBain Scholarships, and 132 participated in regional interviews with local leaders in November before the 50 finalists were selected. Up to 20 McCall MacBain Scholars will be chosen after final interviews.

Finalists were chosen based on their character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.

“Studying at Acadia has given me the opportunity to connect with students and professors across many faculties and the freedom to pursue projects that are meaningful to me,” Margaret said. “I have been able to personalize my educational journey while contributing to the community through organizations both on and off campus.”

On campus, Margaret helps run a math outreach program for middle school students and has been volunteering with Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Acadia for four years. Last summer, she worked on a COVID-19 epidemic modelling project and organized an online, Canada-wide innovation challenge. Margaret also coached her former high school’s robotics team as well as multiple youth climbing teams.

Margaret performs in several campus music groups and works part-time as a teaching assistant with the math department. She is applying for the Master of Arts in Music Technology at McGill.

“Acadia has provided the perfect environment for me to grow as an individual and discover my place in the world, which has prepared me well to pursue the next steps in my academic career,” she explained.

“There is no typical McCall MacBain Scholar,” said Natasha Sawh, Dean of the McCall MacBain Scholarships. “We look for potential in students from all walks of life, with different academic and volunteer interests. What unites them is the inner drive to learn, lead, and make a positive impact in other people’s lives.”

Finalists who are not selected as McCall MacBain Scholars will be eligible for a $10,000 entrance award for their studies at McGill University.

The scholarships are the result of the 2019 landmark gift of $200 million (Canadian), the single-largest gift in Canadian history at that time, by John and Marcy McCall MacBain. The McCall MacBain Scholarships will expand internationally over the next decade, with nearly 300 McCall MacBain Scholars selected by 2030.