McMaster University students Alador Bereketab (BHSc ’25) and Emily Nobes (BEng/BA ’25) are among 20 Canadians selected to join the fifth cohort of McCall MacBain Scholars at McGill University.
Established with a historic $200 million gift in 2019, the McCall MacBain Scholarships are Canada’s largest leadership-based scholarships for master’s and professional studies.
Nearly 700 Canadian students applied for the opportunity, and the top 150 participated in the first round of interviews across the country and online. Afterwards, 88 finalists were selected to attend final interviews in Montreal in March.
“I was overwhelmed in the best way,” Bereketab said about the news.
“I called my sister right away. Later that night, I celebrated with close friends who had supported me through the entire process. It was a moment of deep joy, gratitude, and reflection.”
Nobes was on campus when she received the call. “I ran as fast as I could to the quiet second basement of the science building,” said Nobes.
“Getting the good news felt exhilarating, like I was suddenly standing at the mouth of a new, promising path. I celebrated with a delicious bowl of pho.”
Recipients were chosen based on exceptional character, community engagement, leadership potential, entrepreneurial spirit, academic strength, and intellectual curiosity.
Read more: Two McMaster students receive prestigious McCall MacBain scholarships | Quantum physics, climate action and community: meet Emily Nobes, McCall MacBain Scholar