Media Releases >  Media Releases Archive  > SFU targets Shad Valley alumni with new entrance scholarships

Document Tools

Contact:
Ron Heath, 604.291.4176; ron_heath@sfu.ca

SFU is the first university in Canada to court alumni of Shad Valley -- a prestigious science-focussed leadership program for high-performing teens-with substantial new entrance scholarships.

SFU registrar and dean of student services Ron Heath says the $24,000 Gordon M. Shrum Shad Valley scholarships recognize the “leadership, community spirit and intellectual spark” of Shad graduates-“precisely the kind of students we want to attract to this university.” He notes that Shad claims several science industry leaders and 16 Rhodes Scholars among its alumni.

Now in its 25th year, Shad Valley is not a place but a non-profit government- and industry-sponsored program that brings dynamic students in Grades 11 and 12 together for the month of July at 11 leading university campuses across the country to develop their scientific and entrepreneurial skills. This year, thousands of students from around the world vied for 500 spots.

SFU is a corporate sponsor of the Shad program held at the University of British Columbia. Barry Bisson, president of Shad Valley, says the Shrum Shad scholarship “is a great example of a high-calibre university working with Shad's high-calibre program to invest in Canada's highest potential youth. We're pleased to have friends like SFU who share our mission to find the best, and make them better.”

The first Shrum Shad scholarships-between three and five are to be given each year-will be awarded this fall.

Web sites:
Shrum Shad scholarship: www.students.sfu.ca/ps/entschols/
Shad Valley: www.shad.ca


-30-