Dr. Gary McPherson Leadership Scholarship

The Dr. Gary McPherson Leadership Scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, especially in the area of disability, and/or initiative to improve the conditions and lives of others.

Funding for the Dr. Gary McPherson Leadership Scholarship is made possible by funding from the Government of Alberta

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:

• be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident or a protected person within the meaning of subsection 95(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
• be an Alberta resident. An Alberta resident is:
  – a person who has maintained permanent residence in Alberta for twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies, or
  – a person whose parent or legal guardian has maintained permanent residence in Canada for at least twelve (12) consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies and be residing in Alberta, or
  – a person whose spouse/partner has maintained permanent residence in Alberta for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to commencing post-secondary studies
• be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate, graduate, professional, apprenticeship, diploma or certificate program at a publicly-funded institution in Alberta in the current academic year, and
• have shown outstanding leadership, especially in the area of disability, and/or initiative to improve the lives of other people while attending a publicly-funded post-secondary institution in Alberta, and
• be in satisfactory academic standing as determined by the post-secondary institution.

Selection Process
Selection will be made on the basis of the role and contribution each student has made to their school as well as the documentation provided with the application. There are a limited number of scholarships available to each school.

Application Process
Applicants must include with their application the following:

• a resumé highlighting your leadership involvement and other activities related to improving the lives of other people,
• an essay of up to a maximum of 1,000 words using examples of how you have shown leadership, especially in the area of disability, and/or initiative to improve the lives of others after reading the biography of Dr. Gary McPherson (see below)

Dr. Gary McPherson Biography
Dr. Gary McPherson was an extraordinary Albertan who sought to improve the conditions and lives of people through his outstanding leadership ability. Despite being paralyzed due to polio, McPherson was a sports enthusiast throughout his life and helped to transform wheelchair sports into a worldwide sporting movement known as the Paralympics. McPherson was also a leader and advocate for the disabled community serving as Chair of the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and Vice-Chair of the Alberta Paraplegic Foundation. Gary received significant recognition and awards for his achievements including the prestigious Order of Canada, the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the Alberta Order of Excellence, and both the Edmonton and Alberta Sports Halls of Fame. Above all, Gary dedicated his life to his family and to activities that promoted community development and support for young people. Gary passed away on Saturday, May 8, 2010.