Supporting Trinity Students to Succeed
Photo (left) Trinity Heaslip Scholars gather with Provost Moran to honour guests Dr. Nona Heaslip and Dr. Bill Corcoran; Photo (right) Provost Moran and Trinity Whiteside Scholars celebrate with honoured guest Trinity alumnus Jack Whiteside.
Meet the 2016 Heaslip and Whiteside Scholars
For these second-year Trinity students – Graydon Kelch, Aisha Ryan and Jerry Zhu – receiving Whiteside and Heaslip 2016 in-course scholarships will have a lasting impact on their undergraduate years.
The William and Nona Heaslip Scholarship was established by William and Nona Heaslip in 2005 to provide continuing funding for Trinity students who actively participate in the community, have financial need, and strong academic records. The Heaslips went on to establish their scholarship at nine more universities across Canada. To date, 24 Trinity students have received the award.
Trinity alumnus Jack Whiteside 6T3 established the John Harvey Whiteside Scholarship in 2010 to provide continuing funding for a Trinity student who is not receiving another significant continuing scholarship and has a strong academic record and good record of community participation.
The awards (each $15K, twice renewable) provide students incredible financial support, allowing them to consider new opportunities to enhance their student experience.
“We are so proud of Graydon, Aisha and Jerry for their accomplishments – they truly exemplify the enduring values of our founder Bishop John Strachan – academic accomplishment, community service and leadership,” said Mayo Moran, Provost of Trinity College. “We are so grateful to the Heaslips and John Whiteside for establishing these generous scholarships so that our students can flourish while they are here.”
Aisha Ryan is one of two recipients of the 2016 William and Nona Heaslip Scholarship. “I extend a big thank you to Dr. Heaslip and Dr. Corcoran for enabling me to have a life changing opportunity,” Aisha said. “The scholarship means that I have a large financial weight off my shoulders. It will allow me to spend my energies on my academics and extra-curriculars – clubs, research opportunities and volunteer positions. I threw myself into that my first year and this scholarship means I can do that for next three years.”
Being elected First-Year Resident Head gave Aisha the confidence to seek out other roles and opportunities. “In first year, I joined a variety of clubs, which gave me the opportunity to find what sort of leadership opportunities and clubs I’m interested in,” said Aisha, who is a graduate of the Trinity One Ethics program and is double majoring in International Relations and Health Studies.
“I’ve always been someone who enjoys being in leadership positions. I find it rewarding and fun,” she added, noting that outside the classroom, she continues to be involved with several Trinity and international relations-related extra-curriculars, and plans on getting involved in activities related to health studies.
Jerry Zhu
For Jerry Zhu, also a 2016 William and Nona Heaslip Scholarship recipient, the award removes many financial pressures.
“This scholarship means a lot to me and it will open up many doors,” said Jerry, who is a graduate of the Trinity One Public Policy program and a Political Science and Contemporary Asian Studies double major.
“The scholarship gives me more freedom to participate in extra-curriculars and to work on research on social issues in China,” Jerry said. “I’d like to thank them for giving me the opportunity to invest in myself.”
This year, Jerry is the Second Year Head and the Junior Representative on the Community Affairs Committee.
“These outlets allow me to do my part in community governance and to voice my opinions,” he said. He is also the Executive Member-at-Large with the Association of Political Science and involved with the Canadian Asian Student Society.
Graydon Kelch is the seventh Trinity student to receive the 2016 John Harvey Whiteside Scholarship.
Graydon Kelch
“It’s a huge honour to have this recognition. It also provides me a huge opportunity to be more involved at Trinity and the broader community,” said Graydon, who is an alum of the Trinity One International Relations program and is studying International Relations and History. “The scholarship will help towards me being the best person I can be. I profoundly thank Mr. Whiteside for his support and vision.”
Along with his continued involvement with several international relations-related activities, Graydon also volunteers with Musical Minds Community Outreach, which provides free music lessons to low-income families. “Music played a big role in my childhood – my mother encouraged me to study piano,” he said. “Last year, I taught two siblings to play the piano. It’s my way to share my passion and to give back to the community.”
Through the generous gifts from Trinity’s donors, they are helping to ensure that the College’s next generation of leaders have the support they need to succeed. Each year, Trinity offers its students more than $1 million in student awards, including scholarships, prizes and bursaries.
All recipients of admission and in-course awards for 2016-2017 will be honoured at the 2016 Student Awards Reception on November 16 in Seeley Hall.
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